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BED BUG INFESTATION SOLUTIONS :: BED BUG GALLERY :: BED BUG FAQ
:: BED BUG RESOURCES & LINKS
 
What exactly are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of
warm-blooded animals. They're known as bed bugs because they like to
nest in beds and feed on the blood of sleeping people. Although bed bugs
have not been proven to transmit any disease, their bites can cause
itchy welts on the skin.
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about bed bugs in our PEST LIBRARY
Why are bed bug reports on the
rise?
Once a common problem in homes and businesses, bed bugs largely
disappeared from the U.S. when modern insecticides were introduced after
WWII. Since the late 1990s, bed bugs have come back strongly and
infestations have been found across the country, but the reasons for
this resurgence are not clearly understood. Factors such as increased
international travel and immigration have likely contributed to the
rapid spread of infestations. How can a bed bug infestation be
treated?
Terminix employs a range of treatments for residential and
commercial infestations, including a fast, non-toxic treatment called RapidFreeze. RapidFreeze uses carbon dioxide (CO2) converted to a dry
ice "snow" to freeze insects, including their eggs and nymphs, after
contact. RapidFreeze is perfect for homes, hotels, apartments, food
processing plants and organic industries. Terminix also uses other safe,
effective treatments along with or in place of RapidFreeze to ensure
that an infestation is ended as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
What assurance is there that bed bug treatment will be effective?
Terminix will customize a treatment for your needs to quickly and safely
eliminate bed bugs from the infested room/area. Is there a wrong way to treat for bed
bugs?
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to control and eliminate. You
should work with only recognized, reputable pest control professionals
like Terminix, who have specific training and proven methods for
dealing with bed bugs. It takes a comprehensive approach and targeted
efforts based on experience to be successful against bed bugs. One
product or technique, used alone, is not likely to be effective. You can
trust Terminix to use the most up-to-date techniques and products to
solve any bed bug problem. What do bed bugs look like?
Adult bed bugs grow to 4-5 mm long and 1.5-3 mm wide (about the size
of an apple seed), with a small head and larger oval-shaped body. Newly
hatched bed bug nymphs are tiny (1mm) and cream colored. They are about
the size of the letters on a penny.
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What are typical signs of bed
bugs?
Signs of bed bugs include bite symptoms, small brown spots (fecal
spots) on bedding and small blood smears on sheets. Small translucent
bed bug eggs may be found in tucks and folds of the mattress and box
spring, behind headboards, along baseboards and any other site bed bugs
are hiding.
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INFESTATION IN OUR BED BUG GALLERY Where are bed bugs found?
Bed bugs are mostly found where people like to rest or sleep. About
70% of any bed bug infestation is found associated with the bed, and
furniture, pictures and baseboards next to the bed. Bed bugs hide in
cracks, folds, tucks and voids in and around these areas. The second
most common bed bug harborage is upholstered furniture, while a small
percentage of any bed bug population may be scattered throughout a room.
How can I avoid picking up bed bugs in hotels?
- Check the mattress, headboard, frame and pictures for signs of
bed bugs.
- Keep your luggage on the luggage rack (after making sure it has
no signs of bed bugs). Don't store your luggage on the bed or floor.
- Hang clothes that can be hung and avoid storing any clothes in a
dresser.
- Check travel reviews before visiting a hotel and be careful of
those with multiple reports of bed bugs.
How can I avoid a bed bug
infestation at my home?
- Upon arriving at home, keep your suitcase in the garage until you have
time to inspect it and your belongings. Launder clothes immediately
after removal from the suitcase.
- Consider storing your suitcase(s) in the garage or basement instead of
bedrooms or closets in the event there may be bed bugs or eggs that you
miss with your inspection.
- Storing these inside closed, plastic trash bags also helps to limit any
spread of bed bugs you may have inadvertently picked up in your travels.
- Avoid picking up used furniture and items left on the curb.
- Don't store things under beds.
- Consider using fitted bed bug-proof encasements for your mattress and
box springs. (Although encasements do not prevent bed bugs, they make
infestations easier to detect.)
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