Bed Bugs

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are a well-known biting pest that can be found living in large populations across the entire United States. As primarily indoor pests, they are active and an issue for homes and businesses all year round. Bed bugs are challenging pests to deal with as they move easily from place to place by hitchhiking and quickly take over properties.

Bed bugs require blood meals to complete their life cycle, and unfortunately for us, human blood is their preferred food source. If we're not available, they also feed on other warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, and rodents. These blood-sucking, biting pests can quickly become an unwelcome presence in any home or business.

bed bug on carpet

The main characteristics of adult bed bugs include:

An apple seed shaped body that is reddish-brown before they eat
After feeding, a capsule-shaped body that is dark purplish-red
Six legs and short antennae
Proboscis — an elongated feeding mouthpart
Lack of wings and the inability to fly or jump

Bed bug nymphs are smaller in size than the adults, and until they have a blood meal, they are translucent or yellowish-white in color. After feeding, they turn bright red. The eggs of bed bugs are white, sticky, and tiny (the size of a pinhead); they're a challenge for the untrained eye to spot.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Bed bugs are nuisance pests. Though they can harbor diseases and bacteria, very few pathogens can survive for long in the bed bug and the spread of illness by bed bugs is not currently a significant threat. While the threat of disease is not a concern, bed bugs pose many other problems for both people and properties, making them unwanted pests.

Bed bugs damage walls, floors, bedding, upholstered furniture, and mattresses. As bed bugs move around, they stain these things with drops of blood or streaks of black excrement. In the case of a large infestation, bed bugs can also cause an unpleasant sweet, musty odor to develop.
The secretive nature of bed bugs causes them to hide for weeks or months, allowing for a substantial infestation to develop before they're noticed. In the right environment, each female produces five eggs, and throughout her life, more than 500 eggs. That can lead to a small infestation becoming out of control in just a short period of time.
You or family members may be allergic to bed bug saliva and will wake up with small red itchy welts on any areas of skin that were left exposed while sleeping. Their bites form a linear or zigzag pattern of three or four bites. Itching at the bite sites may lead to secondary infections.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Bed bugs want to live with people and can become a problem inside of any home. The only thing bed bugs care about is a food source, not where they are living. You can find bed bugs in immaculate homes just as easily as dirty ones. However, it is essential to note that a house with a lot of clutter can allow bed bugs to hide easier.

Bed bugs travel by hitchhiking on the clothing and personal belongings of people. When spending time in public places, don't put items like luggage, bags, or clothing on the ground; they can become a potential target for bed bugs. After crawling onto our belongings or clothing, they then move into our homes without us noticing. Bed bugs are efficient crawlers and hitchhike across streets, cities, towns, the country, and even from country to country on people and our belongings.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Bed bugs live wherever there are people. Many assume bed bugs are only in areas where people sleep, but the truth is contact can happen with bed bugs in any structure where people come and go regularly, such as:

Hotels and motels
Airports, train stations, bus stations
Offices, gyms, shopping centers
School and dormitories
Movie theaters, libraries, museums

Bed bugs that have made their way into a home hide in dark, tight spaces during the day, emerging at night to feed on their sleeping hosts.

Some of the bed bug's favorite hiding spots include:

Seams of mattresses and box springs
Cracks in walls and floors
Behind wood trim and baseboards
Wall voids located behind electrical outlets
Under piles of dirty laundry and other clutter
Behind pictures and wall hangings

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

Partnering with an experienced professional is the best way to get rid of bed bugs. At White Knight Pest Control, we protect homes and businesses from pest invasions. We understand how stressful and frustrating dealing with bed bugs is and will support you and provide the bed bug control services needed to eliminate the entire infestation.

We take the time necessary to build relationships with each of our customers, ensuring that we're always meeting your pest control expectations. At White Knight Pest Control, our passion is serving others and keeping pests away from people and their property. Our bed bug control service includes a detailed initial inspection, effective treatment, follow-up bed bug inspection, additional bed bug control treatment (if necessary), and a 30-day bed bug guarantee.

To learn more about our effective bed bug control services and how we keep bed bugs out of your Texas, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, or Oklahoma home or business, contact us today!

How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?

At White Knight Pest Control, we will help you prevent bed bug problems through our regular treatments. In conjunction with our comprehensive bed bug control services, the following prevention tips will help you keep bed bugs out of your home or business!

Regular cleaning: Help eliminate stray bed bugs that have found a way into your house by regularly vacuuming floors, mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture. Wash and dry your family's bedding and all pet bedding on high heat settings on a routine basis.
Reduce hiding spots: Eliminate the bed bug's favorite hiding spots by placing bed bug proof covers on all mattresses and box springs located in your home. Clean up the clutter in your house. Never leave piles of dirty laundry on the floor for long periods. Use outlet covers. Repair any cracks in walls and wood furniture.
Avoid secondhand items: If possible, do not purchase used furniture, mattresses, box springs, and similar articles for your home.
Take caution when traveling: When traveling for work or pleasure, inspect your hotel room or other rentals for bed bugs. Never place suitcases or clothing on the floor of your hotel room. Keep clothing and other personal items not currently being used in sealed plastic bags. When returning home, immediately wash and dry your clothes.