Basics of Bed Bugs

The best way to keep bed bugs out of your home is to fully understand these insects, including how they behave and from where they originate.

In your home, you will usually find these insects near your bed, which is the reason for their name. Bed bugs prefer staying in your bed because they survive by drinking blood, and this is the easiest way to access their food source. Anywhere you sit for an extended period of time can be a possible risk for bed bugs, including taxis and movie theaters. However, most people pick up bed bugs while staying in a hotel where the linens are not properly cleaned.

Identifying Bed Bugs

The first step in learning how to get rid of bed bugs is discovering how to identify these insects. Because bed bugs are very small, they can be hard to notice if you’re not paying close attention. Luckily, there are a few warning signs that will let you know if you have these pests in your home.

The easiest way to identify a bed bug infestation is to look for their bites. Bed bug bites can be very painful, causing an itching and burning sensation while appearing very much like welts. The bites will also usually result in a localized rash, and the bites will almost always be in a straight line. If there are bed bugs in your home, you will also likely notice blood or fecal stains on your linens, or eggs and shed skin in your closets or around electrical outlets.

Controlling Bed Bugs

Like most pest infestations, it’s important to act quickly when you notice bed bugs in your home. The most effective solution for bed bug control is to wash every item that these bugs are attracted to in extremely hot water, including curtains, clothes, and your bed linens. You also need to thoroughly vacuum every area where eggs may have been laid, and then cover these areas with plastic to prevent further infestations.

Because bed bug treatment is such a large task, it’s best to make sure it’s done the right way by hiring a professional.

Easy Bed Bug Treatment

If you’re tired of dealing with bed bugs, your most effective solution for bed bug treatment is working with Gilstrap Exterminating. Our team is familiar with this frustrating pest, and we can help you rid your home of bed bugs so that you and your family can rest easy.