10 Questions to Ask About Bed Bugs Control

We dread bed bugs not because they consume our blood and stain expensive upholsteries. However, they quickly spread and travel around the home and the recurring bed bug infestation we cannot seem to eliminate. Rentokil shares the ten essential questions you need to ask about bed bug control, how to ensure your treatments are safe and get rid of bed bugs effectively.

Agenda:

• Where do bed bugs come from?
• Signs of bed bug infestation to take notice
• Are bed bugs harmful and dangerous to our health?
• How do I get rid of bed bugs effectively?
• Where do I find bed bugs in my home?
• How much is pest control for bed bugs?
• What does bed bug treatment involve?
• Natural way to get rid of bed bugs
• When do we need to call for bed bugs control services?
• Bed bug prevention tips to apply for our home

Where do bed bugs come from?

As we stay updated and aware of how bed bugs infestation starts, particularly for individuals with cross-infestation risks by bringing home bed bugs through their trips, the question arises on where do bed bugs come from if we are not traveling regularly? It is possible to experience bed bug invasion despite keeping home spots clean, taking extra care with the luggage or limiting those trips. This is because bed bugs hitch on items and almost anything they can cling on to and return to your home from outside. This includes bags, backpacks, shopping items, shoes, body, clothing or jacket and even recycled or second-hand furniture. In addition, they can travel from place to place, including rooms or housing units and if your home is not protected with adequate proofing, chances of bed bugs infestation are high.

Signs of bed bug infestation to take notice

Compared to hidden pests such as termites that breeds underground, bed bugs are easier to spot in the sense of displaying visible signs of bed bug infestation. Firstly, take notice of any dark or black colour stains on the mattresses, curtains or carpet. These stains are actually bed bugs’ excrement. Secondly, bugs cause blood spots to burst or seeps into your furnishing. This happens when they are accidentally squashed by individuals or are engorged after a full feeding. Thirdly, pest infestation (in particularly heavy infestation) may result in unusual smell or stench and in the case of bed bugs, they create a sweet but musty and unpleasant scent. Finally, bed bugs are nocturnal and typically comes out at night food and you may notice them crawling around in the night hour. However, because of their tiny and flat body nature, they may hide well in corners and tight spaces that spotting them becomes a challenge. Engage a professional pest control specialist to ensure thorough pest detection.

Are bed bugs harmful and dangerous to our health?

One of the main and familiar harm that bed bugs can cause are the bites are on the exposed skin including legs, arms and neck.

Bed bugs bites can be stressful and disruptive as they itch and leave multiple ugly red bumps. These bites can also turn into a skin infection or an allergy. Some pests like bed bugs are capable of attacking us without realising. This is due to their analgesic components found in their saliva that are released onto our skin as they bite and suck. These bites are unlikely to develop into health consequences such as mosquitoes’ transmitting dengue. However, bites and wounds not dealt well can turn serious and stressing. As they can spread and disrupt a good night rest and battling with the itchy wounds, sleep deprivation and mental stress can result among individuals. Hence, it is critical to get rid of bed bugs quickly before an escalation worsens the current home condition.

For businesses, particularly service and hospitality sectors, the harm and danger extend beyond the bites and skin infection. It affects factors including medical compensation, negative customer reviews, media crisis, reduced patronages and even business investigation. While brand reputation and occupancy are affected, this is not forgetting the financial implications such as revenue lost, business disruptions and penalties.

How do I get rid of bed bugs effectively?

With adequate and proper bed bug control services with efficacy and diligence in treatment, active inspection and detection and regular home maintenance and housekeeping, we can control and eliminate bed bug population. There are instances where rein-infestation occurs or treatments deem to be ineffective and bed bug infestation seems to be ongoing. However, there are also factors that promote bed bug attraction because of its hitch-hiking and cross infestation nature. Hence, proactive detection and home inspection is necessary, not just for bed bug elimination efforts but all pests in general. In addition, you can protect yourself during your sleep from getting bites by covering your exposed skin with sleepwear and comforters.

Where do I find bed bugs in my home?

Bed bugs are different from the common household pests such as cockroaches and ants. These pests often lurk in places with food, waste, water and shelter. Instead, bed bugs hang around at places with body warm and heat and close to their target host. Hence, key risk areas to look for bed bugs presence and traces includes:

• Bed including mattress, seams, headboard and bed sheet
• Curtains and drapes including the folds and edges
• Carpets and rugs (look within and by the corners)
• Furniture such as sofa and armchair and within gaps
• Corners and edges of painting, power sockets and beams
• Among clothes and laundry clutter and laundry bag
• Bags, suitcases, luggages and items especially from overseas

Read also: Where do bed bugs lay their eggs?

How much is pest control for bed bugs?

Generally, price of pest control is dependent on the level of pest infestation, type of pest invaded, solution and active ingredient used, how much area to treat and number of times the service is required. However, in the case of bed bug treatment, the price of bed bug pest control is designed to eliminate both adult bugs and eggs in their life stages. Firstly, a package typically requires three treatments for adequate pest eradication, involves both steaming and residual spraying within interval. Secondly, the specialist will conduct monitoring and inspection of the premises to ensure effectiveness. Thirdly, there are many types and grades of active ingredients and is it essential to engage a reliable and reputable pest control company. Above all, quotation also depends on the number of rooms to treat and if surrounding units are required to treat as well.

What does bed bug treatment involve?

Bed bug treatment generally includes the initial assessment and site inspection to evaluate infestation level, risk factors and targeted areas to treat. Thereafter, a series of three treatments to apply active ingredients on affected areas and high-risk locations will be carried out across a month. In addition, steam treatment will also be delivered to remove the eggs and prevent developing them into adults. The specialist will then perform Inspection of the premise, especially at bed bug’s hiding spots. During the process, customers are advised on pre and post treatment checklist. Actions required to ensure meeting safety standards will also be provided.

Natural way to get rid of bed bugs

For home owners who may not want to commit and invest in professional pest control solutions or purely for maintenance and deterring purposes, they may consider a natural way to get rid of bed bugs.

• Sprinkle baking soda on hot spots to deter and eliminate bed bugs
• Use of essential oil such as tea tree, lavender and peppermint
• Strong smell from spices including pepper, cinnamon and ginger
• Apply diatomaceous earth and boric acid at infested areas
• Repel with herbs for example rosemary, basil, bay leaves and mint
• Mop and wipe surfaces with cleaning agent and disinfectant
• Steam clean the floor, furniture and curtains, drapes and blinds

When do we need to call for bed bugs control services?

Bed bugs are pests that require quick and proactive pest control action rather than procrastinating. While some pests can allow time to stall through DIY measures or wait and see, bed bugs spread, multiply, and are challenging to eliminate and contain when it spreads. Hence, if you notice any single sign of bed bug infestation, be it the physical bug itself or their droppings and stains, it is important to seek quick pest management action as soon as possible. Of course, it does not take long to engage pest detection or perform a home check even if you think that your home is still safe from bed bugs.

Bed bug prevention tips to apply for our home

For homes with regular cockroaches and ants’ problems, one way of pest prevention is to eliminate food sources. These include food crumbs, sugar bits, water spills and undisposed waste. Other modes of prevention include fixing proofing, insect screen and sealing home cracks and gaps. These aids to avoid entry and prevent cross infestation.

For bed bug prevention, besides proofing and minimising pest entries, here are more tips on how to prevent a start of a bed bug invasion:

• Avoid placing bags and luggage for unpacking on your bed or near your bed
• Leave bags especially from trips by the entrance door away from bed room
• Check for bed bug presence and their infestation signs at key home areas
• Steam clean upholstery and furniture regularly to remove any eggs
• Vacuum the premises and dispose the waste carefully to avoid bugs slippage
• Prevent from placing the bed too close to the wall and leave a gap in between
• Clean laundry at higher temperature settings of the washer and dryer
• Clear the clutter and piles to allow easy cleaning and better bug detection
• Close items with holes and gaps including power outlets and sockets
• Try not to bring in recycled items from external such as blankets and furniture
• Use a mattress and box spring protector and encasements cover

Call Rentokil Singapore at 6347 8138 for pest control services today.