Bed Bug Identification
What they look like: Adult bed bugs are small (about the size of an apple seed), reddish-brown, and wingless with a flat, oval-shaped body. After a blood meal, they become more elongated and swollen. Nymphs are smaller and yellowish-white, and their eggs are tiny and pearl-white.
Biology and behavior:
• Nocturnal feeders: Bed bugs primarily feed on the blood of sleeping hosts, typically at night, but will also feed during the day if necessary.
• Hitchhikers: Bed bugs are notorious "hitchhikers," spreading easily by latching onto
luggage, clothing, and other personal belongings.
• Resilient pests: They can survive for months without a blood meal and are highly resistant to many common over-the-counter insecticides, making them difficult to eradicate.
• Aggregations: They tend to aggregate in dark, sheltered areas near a host, such as in mattress seams, cracks in bed frames, and behind headboards.
Commercial threat:
• Reputation damage: A bed bug infestation can be a public relations nightmare for businesses like hotels, healthcare facilities, and offices, leading to negative reviews, lost business, and potential lawsuits.
• Costly treatments: Bed bug infestations can be extremely difficult and expensive to treat, requiring specialized equipment and multiple professional applications.
• Rapid spread: Their ability to spread quickly makes them a constant threat to adjacent rooms, offices, or apartments, creating a larger and more complex problem over time.
• Health issues: While not known to transmit diseases, bed bug bites can cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and lead to anxiety and sleep loss.
• Our solution: "Bed bug infestations are a complex and serious problem requiring professional expertise. We use a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that includes a detailed inspection, specialized treatments like heat remediation, and ongoing monitoring to ensure complete eradication. Our discreet and effective service protects your business and brand in Tallahassee, Wakulla, Gadsden, and Liberty counties from this persistent and destructive pest."
