Bed bugs are insects and create a common pest problem. They live and travel across the United States with ease. Bed bugs are exceptional hitchhikers and move from place to place on people, furniture, luggage, clothing, electronics, and more.
Bed bugs require a diet that only consists of blood, with human blood being their favorite food source. These pests received their name because they like to live around sleeping areas and feed on human blood at night, usually right before dawn.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects known for their hitchhiking behavior, allowing them to spread across the United States with ease. They rely solely on blood for nutrition, with a strong preference for human blood. Bed bugs typically inhabit sleeping areas, feeding on their hosts shortly before dawn. They are oval, flattened insects, growing up to a quarter of an inch in length, and are reddish-brown in color.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
While bed bugs do not spread disease, their presence can cause significant stress and sleep disruption. Bites from bed bugs can range from mild to severe, sometimes leading to secondary infections due to scratching. Additionally, large infestations can lead to staining of bedding, walls, and floors from blood or excrement, and may produce an unpleasant musty odor.
Why do I have a bed bug problem?
Bed bugs typically enter homes by clinging to clothing, luggage, furniture, and other items. They are prevalent in places frequented by many people, such as hotels, schools, and public transportation, making them difficult to avoid. They can also spread between apartments and homes through walls and floors.
Where will I find bed bugs?
You will find bed bugs in homes, businesses, and sources of public transportation. They are an indoor pest, and because of this are active year-round. Bed bugs can find their way into any home. Whether a home is clean or not doesn’t matter to bed bugs. Bed bugs do like to hide in areas of clutter. A home with clutter will not attract bed bugs, but it will make it more difficult to identify an infestation.
Once bed bugs move into a home, they hide during the day in a variety of places, including the seams of mattresses and box springs. Other common hiding spots include:
- Furniture
- Wall cracks
- Spaces behind wall hangings
- Behind wall hangings and electrical outlets
- Inside electronics and keyboards
- Under piles of dirty laundry
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
Eliminating bed bugs is challenging due to their elusive nature and resistance to many common pest control methods. If you're dealing with a bed bug infestation in Oklahoma, contact Gold Star Pest Solutions. Our team provides effective and reliable services to help eliminate bed bugs and prevent their return, ensuring a pest-free environment for your home or business.
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
To minimize the risk of bed bug infestations:
Thoroughly inspect hotel rooms or other accommodations for signs of bed bugs before settling in.
After traveling, immediately wash and dry all clothing at high temperatures and vacuum suitcases.
Keep personal items off the ground when out and about.Install outlet covers to prevent bed bugs from entering through and traveling inside walls.
Reduce clutter to minimize hiding spots. Regularly vacuum your home and place bed bug-proof covers on mattresses and box springs. Periodically inspect furniture and sleeping areas for signs of bed bugs. Seal cracks and crevices in walls and baseboards to prevent movement between rooms or units.
For more detailed information on bed bug prevention or to schedule an inspection, reach out to Gold Star Pest Solutions. We are dedicated to helping you maintain a bed bug-free environment.
Need an inspection, quote, or have general questions? Contact us and we will respond to you as soon as possible!
