Bed Bugs

What do bed bugs eat? 

Unlike many other insects that draw a blood meal only for reproduction, bed bugs are sustained by blood meals. Their preference is human blood, and they will live close to humans to get a meal.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

It isn't good to have any insect bite you repeatedly and draw blood, but bed bugs are not nearly as dangerous as pests such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, or ticks. They are not known to spread dangerous human pathogens and do not climb in unsanitary spaces to pick up harmful disease-causing bacteria. 

Where are bed bugs found?

There are many places where you may find bed bugs hiding inside your home. Typically, they are found close to their food source, which is usually people. They are attracted to body heat, the scent of humans, and the carbon dioxide we exhale. The most common place to find them is in your bed. Here are some specific places to look, starting with your bed.

• Between the mattress and box spring
• In and around the seams that run around your mattresses and box springs
• Underneath labels
• Inside mattress or box spring rips, cuts, and other damage
• In bed frame cavities or recesses
• Underneath the feet of bed frames or other furniture
• Within night stands
• In the gaps of a hardback book sitting on your nightstand
• Inside your alarm clock
• In gaps and cracks of wall hangings
• Behind baseboards and crown molding
• Underneath carpet edges
• In laundry
• In the tight spaces of luggage, duffel bags, book bags, pocketbooks, etc.
• In couches and other furniture
• In the tight spaces around vent grommet

These aren't the only places that you'll find bed bugs hiding, but they're good places to start looking. 

How did I get bed bugs? 

Bed bugs don't live in your yard or climb around on the plants in your landscaping. They don't live outdoors. They are indoor insects. This means that they're not going to find their way into your home through exterior entry points. They'll hitch a ride. 

What do bed bug bites look like? 

A bed bug bite looks like an insect bite. It is often hard to tell what insects are biting. But the way bed bugs bite provides the clues you need for detection. Here are some facts to help you with bite identification.

• Bed bugs often bite three times so you’re likely to have numerous bites.
• A bed bug will bite, crawl, bite, crawl, and bite. The distance between bites will be marginal. If you see three bites near each other, it is possible that a bed bug left them.
• Bed bugs feed as a group. If you have lots of bites that look like a path on your skin, bed bugs are almost certainly the culprits.

Bed bug bites range from nearly invisible to large welts surrounded by a significant rash. The severity of the bites depends on your sensitivity and other factors.

How long after exposure to bed bugs do bites appear?

It can take hours or even days for bites to become noticeable. For this reason, bed bug bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites or the bites of some other outdoor insect. Keep in mind that outdoor insects typically bite once, not three times in a close area. Therefore, mosquitoes and other insects leave lots of random wounds rather than a path.

How do I get rid of bed bugs? 

Getting rid of bed bugs on your own can be difficult and using products you pick up at the store may cause the problem to spread to other areas. Really, the best way to eliminate bed bugs is by seeking expert help. 

Here at Anti-Pest, we offer effective bed bug control services that not only eliminate adult bed bugs, but also eggs and nymphs. You can rely on our 70+ years of industry experience to exterminate bed bugs - completely! Serving Bossier, Caddo, and DeSoto Parishes since 1950, our locally owned and family operated pest control company is well-versed in identifying and eliminating bed bugs. Give us a call today or request a quote. 

How can I avoid picking up bed bugs?

There are a few steps you can take to prevent a bed bug infestation, such as performing inspections and protecting laundry while away from home. But there is no complete solution. We recommend keeping the number of a licensed pest control service provider close at hand so that you can deal with bed bugs quickly should they ever find their way into your home.