Many people think of bed bugs as no more than part of a cute bedtime cliché: Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite! But they are quite real, and far from cute. Bed bugs are small, brownish insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies. Young bed bugs can be no bigger than a pinhead, or even undetectable by the naked eye.
They feed primarily on human blood, in fact, blood is their only food source. Their name comes from their tendency to live between mattresses and feed on bed occupants at night. Bed bugs don't fly, but move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Female bed bugs lay up to five eggs a day and 500 during a lifetime.
A Real Problem
If you have Bed Bugs, you have a real problem. Bed bugs are believed to have originally traveled to the United States from Europe in the 17th century. Efforts to control them after World War II dramatically reduced the occurrence of U.S. infestations. But recently, as you may have heard in the news, bed bugs have made a big time comeback.
Five or six years ago, pest management companies reported one or two bed bug calls a year. Now, they're reporting one or two a week. And the National Pest Management Association's member companies have reported 50 times more bed bug calls than usual in the past few years.
Could Bed Bugs Invade My Home or Business
The short answer is yes. Bed bugs are increasingly infesting hotels, apartments, dormitories, shelters, health care facilities and public transportation throughout the U.S. They hitch rides in luggage, boxes, shoes, and other mobile objects. Infestations are not tied to unsanitary living areas.
World-class hotels are experiencing bed bug infestations. Worst of all since bed bugs are nocturnal, you may have no idea they're present.
What Are The Signs That Bed Bugs Are Present
Typically, the first sign of a bed bug infestation is the appearance of small brownish or reddish dots on bed linens and mattresses. These are bed bug droppings and blood spots. Eggs and molted skins may also be visible.
Also, heavy infestations may result in an odor described as "buggy" or sweetish smelling. Bed bug "bites" (actually entry points of their blood-drawing beaks) often result in red, itchy welts (red dots with a lighter red ring around them).Bed bugs feed on any bare skin exposed while sleeping (face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, etc.). The photos on our bed bug signs page show detailed images
How To Identify A Bed Bug
Bed bugs are often mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches. However, they are small, brownish insects with flat oval shaped bodies. The adult is approximately 3/16 of an inch long, or about the size of an apple seed until after they bite; then they fill out and turn a reddish color. Bed bug eggs are extremely tiny (about 1 millimeter) and are white and pear shaped.
Bed Bug Hiding Places
Bed bugs are able to crawl into very small crevices in and around human environments. They do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places.
- These hiding places include:
- Mattresses, linens, and upholstery
- Furniture crevices
- Wood trim
- Electrical switches & outlets
- Floors
- Behind wallpaper & picture frames
How Do I Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate. And do it yourself measures are typically not effective. So, your first step should be to contact the pest control experts, Modern Pest Services. We will start with a thorough inspection of your facility to determine the location and extent of any infestation. With detailed information we will then develop an ECOCARE Bed Bug program customized to meet your specific needs. An initial intensive treatment of the infested areas will be provided with a follow-up treatment scheduled two weeks later. Ongoing maintenance service will guarantee your business is protected should bed bugs be re-introduced. We have a bed bug prevention list that you can download with recommendations on how to prepare for treatment of and prevention of bedbugs (adode pdf reader required. Download it here 
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