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Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small parasitic insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. These insects were largely eradicated as a pest in the US during the 1940s, but experienced a massive resurgence within the past decade.
Physical Characteristics. Adult Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, oval, and wingless. Nymphs (young) are translucent, and become darker brown as they moult and reach maturity.
Feeding Habits. Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood and are attracted to their hosts by carbon dioxide, heat, and certain chemicals. They feed by piercing the skin with hollow feeding tubes. One tube injects saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetics, and the other withdraws blood.
Life Cycle. Bed bugs have 6 life stages -5 immature stages and an adult stage. At each stage, they require a blood meal to progress to the next stage. A female bedbug can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime.
Bed Bugs are excellent hitch-hikers. They can find their way into your home on anything from a seam in your shirt to a new couch. Here are some tips to avoid introducing bed bugs into your home:
Caulk all cracks and crevices throughout the house. Pay special attention to baseboards, bed frames, and all other furniture.
Vacuum carpets, cracks and crevices, and all furniture as often as possible.
Wash bed linens regularly in hot water and dry on high heat. This is also a good time to inspect mattresses and box springs for signs of infestation.
Be especially careful when travelling. Inspect mattresses and box springs in hotel rooms and do not keep luggage near the bed.
Tri County is one of the first companies in our service area to offer bed bug treatment with Thermal Remediation. This cutting edge treatment option has a number of advantages over the conventional methods of bed bug control:
No fuss - There is very little preparation required by the customer. There is rarely a need to empty all your drawers or move furniture around!
Green - Greatly reduces the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Heat treatment is safe for sensitive areas such as day cares, hospitals, and dorm rooms.
Elimination - Done properly, Thermal Remediatio eliminates all stages of bed bugs the first time. Treatment typically lasts 6-10 hours versus the months of follow up treatments required with conventional methods.