When it comes to bed bugs, these pests are resilient. In fact, they've been around a long time. Longer than your grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents. Longer than...well you get the picture. We enjoyed years of bed bug-free living after it was discovered how effective DDT was on these biting pests.
Unfortunately, while it had a major impact on bed bug activity as early as the 1950s, by the 1970's it was blamed for environmental issues. Pest control companies replaced DDT with methods and practices that were better for the environment and before we knew it, bed bugs were back on the scene. By the time the '90s rolled around, bed bug infestations had increased exponentially.
So how do you prevent bed bug infestations from occurring in your home or business? Read on as discuss this topic more in-depth.
Why no one is safe from bed bugs
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They use people and things to make their way from place to place, all the while searching out their next blood meal. You can find bed bugs in any environment where people tend to congregate- hotels, movie theaters, airports, schools, dorms, office buildings, and libraries. It doesn't matter if you keep a spotless home or business, where you shop, or what hotel you stay at- if there are people, there could be bed bugs.
What are bed bugs?
Adult bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that are similar in size and shape to an apple seed. Bed bug nymphs look similar to adults but are smaller and are transparent white in color.
These insects must feed on the blood of warm-blooded hosts—usually humans—to survive. Without a host, they will eventually die.
However, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment they are staying in, they can live from 20 to 400 days without a blood meal!
Signs of bed bugs
When bed bugs invade homes and businesses, they can’t help but leave a few telling signs behind. If you are aware of what to look for, you may be able to identify a bed bug infestation in its earliest stages and contact a professional pest control provider before the infestation spreads. Some signs of a bed bug infestation include:
- Tiny white eggs the size of a pinhead
- Adult bed bugs (examine bedframes very closely)
- Bloodstains on sheets and personal belongings
- Rusty-brown bed bug excrement on bedding or clothing
- Itchy red bites on the skin
- A foul, musty odor if the infestation is very large
How to get rid of bed bugs in Ellensburg
Bed bug control is quite impossible to handle on your own, but with the help of one of the pest control technicians here at Prosite, you can return to a home that is bed bug-free!
At Prosite, we offer both bed bug heat treatments and conventional bed bug for Ellensburg homeowners seeking professional bed bug control options. Don’t let bed bugs disrupt the peace of your home, contact us today to schedule your bed bug inspection!