A Guide To Bed Bug Control | Bed Bugs In Baltimore

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are parasitic pests that feed on the blood of mammals. Human blood is their main and favorite food source. Bed bugs typically feed at night, attracted to the carbon dioxide that their hosts produce as they breathe. During the day, bed bugs hide out in tight cracks and crevices near their food source.

Adult bed bugs have oval-shaped bodies that are flattened from top to bottom, six legs, and are wingless. They are basically the size and shape of an apple seed. Before feeding, bed bugs are a reddish-brown color. After feeding, they turn purplish-red, and their bodies swell and elongate in a balloon-like manner. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller than adults, but are similar in appearance.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Bed bugs are not thought of as dangerous pests, but they do cause problems and concerns for people:

People who are allergic to bed bug saliva can develop an itchy rash.
Rashes that bed bugs cause can become infected and require medical attention.
Bed bug infestations can cause stress, embarrassment, and sleepless nights.

Bed bugs are invasive pests, and their presence should be eliminated from any home or building as quickly as possible. If a bed bug infestation is allowed to thrive, these pests will eventually move throughout your home and become even more difficult and time-consuming to eliminate.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Bed bugs live and hide out wherever there are people – their main food source. Bed bug populations are found in virtually any public place. They will emerge from their hiding spots and crawl into bags, clothing, personal belongings, and then into their new homes. Another way that bed bugs are brought into homes is inside used items like furniture, mattresses, and box springs. Bed bugs can also be introduced into homes in newly purchased clothing.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Bed bugs are found in single-family homes, apartments, five-star hotels, motels, health care facilities, dormitories, schools, museums, movie theaters, laundry facilities, office buildings, airports, bus stations, train stations, public bathrooms, and other spots where people are found.

After finding their way inside a home, bed bugs hide out in tight cracks and crevices in wooden head and foot boards, dressers, walls, floors, upholstered furniture, wooden furniture, cabinets, closets, electronics, in wall voids, behind outlets, and behind wooden molding. A bed bug infestation typically takes root in the areas of a home where people sleep. However, if the infestation is allowed to continue and grow, they will move throughout the entire home.

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

To eliminate bed bugs from your home or property, and prevent a re-infestation, partner with a knowledgeable professional. At Pest Czar, our local and experienced professionals can provide the comprehensive services needed to find and get rid of bed bugs living in your home. We can then prevent their return by implementing one of our GreenPro certified pest protection plans. For exceptional, eco-friendly bed bug control services in the Baltimore Metro area of Maryland, call Pest Czar!

How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?

Preventing problems with bed bugs can be tricky. There are several things you can do to protect your home and family from them:

Put into place a professional bed bug control program from Pest Czar.
Know what bed bugs look like.
Inspect any hotel room (or room where you will stay overnight) for bed bugs before bringing luggage and other belongings into it.
After returning home from a trip, wash and dry all clothing from your trip on a high heat setting.
Keep personal items up off the floor in public settings.
Do not purchase used furniture, mattresses, and box springs for use in your home.
Immediately wash and dry all newly purchased clothing on a high heat setting.