Bed Bugs

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are problematic, nuisance, biting pests that favor human blood to survive. Since we are their preferred food source, it is only natural that bed bugs live wherever we do. While bed bugs solely feed on blood, unlike many other biting pests, the spread of disease by bed bugs is not currently a huge concern.

Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, wingless, and after feeding becomes swollen and dark red. Nymphs are colorless when they first hatch and until they feed. Nymphs look similar to adults but are smaller. Eggs are tiny, white, and difficult to spot. When an infestation is present, it is common for all stages to be present.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

More times than not, just thinking about bed bugs will make you cringe, not because they are necessarily dangerous, but because they are unpleasant to deal with. It is unlikely you will feel comfortable and sleep soundly if you share your home with bed bugs.

While bed bugs are more stressful than dangerous, they do pose some health problems. In order to feed, bed bugs bite through our skin, putting us at risk of an infection. Children are especially prone to developing secondary infections if they are excessively scratching at the bite sites.

Those allergic to bed bugs saliva experience red, raised, itchy, uncomfortable rashes, on the skin that is exposed while they sleep. Reactions to bites vary: some people may not show any physical signs of bites; others may develop localized swelling, and others may experience severe allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Hitchhiking is the bed bug’s primary mode of transportation. Bed bugs become established in our homes and other structures after hitching a ride in on boxes, luggage, furniture, bedding, laundry, and people.

Once introduced into a home, they will move to dark, secluded hiding spots, first taking up residence in sleeping areas, and eventually moving throughout the home. The seams of mattresses and box springs, couch or chair cushions, electrical outlets, behind wall hangings, and cracks in walls or floorboards are places bed bugs hide.

Bed bugs also like to hide in areas of clutter; while a cluttered home won’t attract bed bugs, it will allow them to stay hidden for longer, and allow the infestation to grow to large numbers before being noticed.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Though it is not always the case, more times than not, you will find that bed bugs hide during the day, squeezing their oval-shaped bodies into tight spaces throughout a home. Before dawn, bed bugs emerge from their hiding spots to painlessly feed on their deeply sleeping hosts.

While most people associate hotels and motels with bed bugs, the reality is that they exist in almost any place people spend time, including our homes, dormitories, airports, hospitals, shopping centers, movie theaters, and schools.

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

Beeline Pest Control is the best choice to eliminate bed bugs from your Omaha home or business. Our trained and experienced technicians are well-versed in providing the services needed to completely eliminate bed bugs – in all stages of development – from residential and commercial properties.

We will work around your schedule to eliminate and then protect your home from bed bugs. To eliminate bed bugs, we provide detailed inspections and guaranteed full structure treatments. If you would like to learn more about our bed bug control services, reach out today and speak with one of our friendly and helpful experts!

How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?

Prevent bed bugs from becoming a big problem in your Omaha, Nebraska area home using the following prevention tips:

• Check secondhand furniture, mattresses, box springs, clothing, and electronics for signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your home.
• Regularly vacuum your floors and upholstered furniture.
• Reduce the clutter in your home to minimize hiding spots.
• Use bed bug-proof covers over mattresses and box springs.
• When spending time in public, make sure to keep your personal belongings off of the ground as much as possible.
• During travel, inspect hotel rooms for bed bugs, keep suitcases off the bed, and hang up clothing.
• After returning home from a trip, wash all the clothes you took with you on the highest heat setting the fabrics can handle. 

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.