Bed bugs get their name because they often take up residence in the bed to feed on humans. Bed bugs are most often associated with humans, but they will feed on any warm-blooded mammal or even birds and chickens. The peak season for bed bugs is from June to October. They love the heat and humidity of summer and will be more active. Making it even harder to control bed bugs in the summer months is that most people travel. Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers and will take any opportunity to spread. If you’re looking for bed bug control in Niagara, understand the difficulties in ridding your home of these pests and why conventional insecticides may not be as effective.

Signs of Bed Bugs

Adult bed bugs only get about 4 mm long. They are visible to the naked eye, but they are very tiny. Adults have six legs and two antennae and are oval-shaped. Before they eat, they appear brown and flat. After feeding, they’ll look more swollen and elongated and may also become slightly red in colour. Nymphs, the young bed bugs, are pale, almost clear in colour, and much smaller. You’ll find adult bed bugs hiding in mattress seams, box springs and furniture.

Bed bugs tend to be more active at night. They are drawn to the CO2 emissions that humans exhale. You are more likely to notice bites on your legs and arms before you see the bed bugs themselves. You may also see signs of moulting bed bugs skins or their eggs around your home. These items appear pale white but can be noticeable. You may also find small reddish-brown spots on your pillowcases or upholstery.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a nuisance, although they can cause allergic reactions in some people. They aren’t a health threat, but the bites can be itchy and annoying. Bed bugs can be one of the most difficult pests to control. They can hide in tiny cracks for months without food. Bed bugs can also survive in harsh conditions, surviving in extreme cold and hot temperatures. Bed bugs are not a sign of a bad housekeeper, but cluttered homes can provide more places for the bugs to hide. This makes it harder to get rid of the pests.

According to some reports, modern insecticides are becoming ineffective against bed bugs. Bed bugs have recently seen a resurgence across North America. Scientists have found new populations of bed bugs that are resistant to many of the chemicals used to treat them. This often leads to laypeople using more chemicals to treat an infestation, which can cause health issues in humans and pets and be bad for the environment. Non-chemical methods that use heat and steam to push environmentally friendly pesticides into the cracks and seams where bed bugs hide may be required to fully eradicate them from your home.

Monitor For Bed Bugs To Manage Problems Early

Keeping your home bed bug free may be easier during the pandemic because you aren’t travelling and visiting other places. If you purchase used furniture or mattresses, before bringing the item in your home, check it carefully for bed bugs. Vacuum your home to keep out bed bug hitchhikers. Reduce clutter to make fewer hiding places. Check your luggage after a vacation to make sure you didn’t bring home any hitchhikers with you. It’s easier to manage a few bed bugs than to let them multiply over time.

Contact Truly Nolen for effective bed bug control that is eco-friendly and won’t harm your family. Use our online contact form to make an appointment. We are an essential service. Our technicians are taking precautions during the pandemic to protect your family if we come into your home.