EnviroTech Exterminating
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Got Pests? Call (918) 282-7621
Online: www.GotPest.com
The United States had almost eradicated the bedbug problem, but according to a recent study by the University of Nebraska, bedbug infestation became significant again during 2001. These disgusting little creatures feed on human blood, are notoriously prolific and difficult to eradicate.
Historical Background
Bedbugs have been with us for centuries. They were a common part of the American landscape until the development of the pesticide DDT. The chemical was successfully used as a means of malaria control during World War II. Recognized as a potent weapon against unwanted insect pests, its popularity spread rapidly after the war. One of the results was the near eradication of bed bugs. Unfortunately, DDT is harmful to birds and was banned in 1972. Bedbugs had been given a new lease on life and again begun to proliferate. Incidents of bedbug infestation have been particularly pronounced since 2001. Bedbug resurgence is also attributed to the sharp increase in travel by the American public.
What are Bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small insects, and adults are only about 1/4 inch long. They are not particularly active during the daylight; they spend their nights reproducing and gorging on human blood. It takes 15 minutes for one of them to swell three times its size following a routine feeding. Bedbugs are reddish brown and, when not feeding, have flat bodies. An adult female can lay up to five eggs each day, and it takes 10 days for eggs to mature. Bedbugs do not spread disease; however, some people are allergic to the itchy rash resulting from the bites. An attack by bed bugs can also have considerable psychological effects.
How They Invade Homes
The presence of bedbugs has nothing to do with poor sanitation practices. While general untidiness provides them with more hiding places, bedbugs can invade even the most pristine dwellings. They are most commonly introduced by transporting them in on travel luggage or used furniture, especially mattresses and upholstered items. Once inside the residence, they can hide nearly anywhere a little fold or crack appears.
Determining Their Presence
Bedbugs are most often felt before they are seen. One means of distinguishing bedbug bites from other insects is that they usually appear as a line or cluster of small red spots, darker in the center. They will also itch because of the anticoagulant that the bugs emit. If you suspect the presence of bedbugs, check your mattress seams for signs of excrement. This will appear as lines of dark specks. Bedbugs shed their outer shells five times on their way to adulthood, so these light brown casings may also be visible. You should examine your sheets for blood smears. This would occur from killing an engorged bug while scratching or rolling over during the night.
Eliminate Them
Most efforts that people make to rid bedbugs are usually ineffective because of the rapid reproduction rate and varied hiding places of bedbugs. Even a professional exterminator requires several hours and multiple visits to complete the job. However, there are steps you can take to expedite the process and prevent a new infestation.
Historical Background
Bedbugs have been with us for centuries. They were a common part of the American landscape until the development of the pesticide DDT. The chemical was successfully used as a means of malaria control during World War II. Recognized as a potent weapon against unwanted insect pests, its popularity spread rapidly after the war. One of the results was the near eradication of bed bugs. Unfortunately, DDT is harmful to birds and was banned in 1972. Bedbugs had been given a new lease on life and again begun to proliferate. Incidents of bedbug infestation have been particularly pronounced since 2001. Bedbug resurgence is also attributed to the sharp increase in travel by the American public.
What are Bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small insects, and adults are only about 1/4 inch long. They are not particularly active during the daylight; they spend their nights reproducing and gorging on human blood. It takes 15 minutes for one of them to swell three times its size following a routine feeding. Bedbugs are reddish brown and, when not feeding, have flat bodies. An adult female can lay up to five eggs each day, and it takes 10 days for eggs to mature. Bedbugs do not spread disease; however, some people are allergic to the itchy rash resulting from the bites. An attack by bed bugs can also have considerable psychological effects.
How They Invade Homes
The presence of bedbugs has nothing to do with poor sanitation practices. While general untidiness provides them with more hiding places, bedbugs can invade even the most pristine dwellings. They are most commonly introduced by transporting them in on travel luggage or used furniture, especially mattresses and upholstered items. Once inside the residence, they can hide nearly anywhere a little fold or crack appears.
Determining Their Presence
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| Checking For Bed Bugs |
Bedbugs are most often felt before they are seen. One means of distinguishing bedbug bites from other insects is that they usually appear as a line or cluster of small red spots, darker in the center. They will also itch because of the anticoagulant that the bugs emit. If you suspect the presence of bedbugs, check your mattress seams for signs of excrement. This will appear as lines of dark specks. Bedbugs shed their outer shells five times on their way to adulthood, so these light brown casings may also be visible. You should examine your sheets for blood smears. This would occur from killing an engorged bug while scratching or rolling over during the night.
Eliminate Them
Most efforts that people make to rid bedbugs are usually ineffective because of the rapid reproduction rate and varied hiding places of bedbugs. Even a professional exterminator requires several hours and multiple visits to complete the job. However, there are steps you can take to expedite the process and prevent a new infestation.
- Vacuum all reachable cracks. Pay particular attention to mattresses and upholstered furniture. Don't neglect openings in the baseboard and behind wall outlets. When completed, remove the vacuum cleaner bag from the premises.
- Wash all clothing, towels and bedding items in hot water. Bedbugs cannot survive high temperatures.
- Place non-washables in a dryer and run at a high level of heat for a half-hour.
- Set infested furniture outdoors for several hours in below freezing weather as an additional way to kill the bugs.
- A zippered allergy mattress cover of good quality kills any bugs and eggs remaining in the mattress after vacuuming.
If you are dealing with Bed Bugs, Professional Pest Control Services may be needed to help get the infestation under control. At EnviroTech Exterminating we fight Bedbugs and are proud to say we are here to help you win this war on the Bed Bug invasion. We service the local Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area. If you are in need of Pest Control contact us at (918) 282-7621.
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