Protecting Your Health, Your Home from Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have become an increasingly common pest in many of the residential homes in Singapore. Singapore pest control services have seen an increase in the number of enquiries and treatment services engaged for bed bug infestation.

What you need to know about bed bugs?

Firstly, bed bugs hide efficiently at places that we seldom take notice off and pest detection is an important process in pest eradication.  Secondly, they do not need large volume of food source to keep them going for as long as a few months, thus depriving them of blood meal may not be an effective way to get rid of bed bugs. Thirdly, as their saliva contains an analgesic component, we do not realised the bites on our arms and legs until we feel the itch. Fourthly, they are nocturnal and thus, accompanying us while we are asleep as they actively search for food at night. In summary, bed bugs are not an easy pest to eliminate and require professional pest control services.

How Is It That My Home Can Become Infested With Bed Bugs?

The increase in bed bug activity is evidence that to get rid of bed bugs has become a top priority for many home owners faced with an infestation. These home owners are also puzzled on why and how do you get bed bugs!

Homes can be infested with bed bugs due to the following reasons:

• Increase in global travel, as bed bugs are often found in lodging areas
• Bed bugs and their eggs are carried in on travelers’ clothes and suitcases
• Usage of second-hand goods or furniture
• Laundry
• ”People to People” cross contamination
• Different modes of transportation such as airline, public area, hospitality and motor vehicles

Bed bugs are known to be challenging to treat as they shelter in the narrowest of gaps such as seams of mattresses, bed frames or behind furniture. They live by feeding on blood by injecting their saliva into your skin, then sucking out blood for 10 minutes. Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and CO2 that is evaporated from human skin. One meal can last each bug about 3 days, in warm temperature but by lying dormant, bed bugs can survive for up to a year without a meal.

You may also like: Can You Have Bed Bugs Even in Clean Homes?

A Bed Bug Infestation and the Typical Hot Spots

Did you know? A single bed bug can convert into an infestation in just 10 weeks! An adult female bed bug lays an average of 5 eggs per day, which is about 200 to 500 eggs in her lifetime. The size of an adult bed bug is approximately 5mm long. Bed bugs usually come out at night, typically an hour before dawn and they can consume about 4 times their own bodyweight in less than 15 minutes.

If you notice the following signs of bed bugs, you might be experiencing a bed bug infestation:

• Presence of live or dead bed bugs
• Cast nymph skins
• Faecal spots
• Red swelling or skin irritation (What do bed bug bites look like? See below image)

Remember, different people react differently to bed bug bites. Bed bug bites usually happen an hour before dawn when the victim is sleeping.

They are often found in the following hot spots, typically in a bedroom and living room:

• Bed sheets
• Mattress buttons and seams
• Bed frames
• Behind headboards
• Around skirting boards
• Furniture
• Curtain drapes

Taking on the ‘Pest Experts’ role

Most of the time, home owners faced hassles and stresses dealing with their infested homes. The scale of work needed to be done ranges from replacement of furniture and curtain drapes to replacement of bed sheets, bed frames and mattresses. In the process of getting rid of bed bugs, unnecessary cost and time were incurred and hassle and worries resulted from trying to fix the problem. Many people face recurring infestation while attempting their own self-fix solutions too.

The first thing that comes to the mind of home owners when they encounter a bed bug problem is “How do I get rid of bed bugs?” and “How to kill bed bugs?” And many of them begin on their own journey, finding DIY solutions to exterminate these pests in their bedrooms and living rooms. Taking on pest experts roles to get rid of bed bugs could be unknowingly the first step towards adding more woes to your existing bed bug problem. This is because at many a time, home owners use insecticides which is dangerous and will not work. They often have the misconception that bed bugs are only found at the bed and nowhere else. Bed bugs can be infested elsewhere and not only the bed, thereby without proper professional inspection by licensed technicians, it can be difficult to get rid of bed bugs by your own and there is always risk of re-infestation.   

If you suspect that you have bed bugs, first, do not panic. The first step you can take is to contact a professional pest control service company. Remember, the cheapest quote may often result in failed experiments which will cost you more in the long term due to inexperience. Engaging pest control services with experiences in bed bug control is always more effective. Singapore pest control companies abide by strict rules in carrying out bed bug treatment and technicians are to be legally licensed by National Environment Agency (NEA).

Don’t do your own bed bug extermination.

Rentokil Pest Control Singapore

The crucial question lies in: “are bed bug bites dangerous and transmit diseases?” Bed bug bites transmit no disease. However 80% of the world population is allergic to bed bug bites resulting in itchy or localized swelling bites on their bodies.

Bed bugs also execute painless bites. They reproduce quickly and an infestation will get out of control in a matter of just a few weeks. Bed bug bites can affect a good night’s sleep and people often become paranoid and worried after experiencing bed bug bites. You can turn around this situation today! Read more below…

You can help to prevent a bed bug problem from turning into an epidemic through an integrated Bed Bug Control Program. The following bed bug treatment methods are available from Rentokil’s pest control services:

• Bed Bug residual spray treatment
• Bed Bug steam treatment
• Bed Bug Steamer produces steam (180 degree Celsius dry steam) which is capable of eliminating adult bed bugs, larvae as well as the eggs through thermal shock.
• Diligent inspections, monitoring and recommendations.
• Warranty for peace of mind → 1 month warranty* is extended for your assurance.

*1 month warranty effective from last treatment for Residential customers only

Protect you health and your home; let the pest experts do their pest control job now. Drop us an online enquiry at [email protected] today!