Signs of bed bugs
- Itchy bites in lines or clusters, often on arms, neck and legs, that appear after sleeping.
- Small rust-colored or dark spots on sheets and mattress seams.
- Tiny pale eggs and shed skins along mattress seams, box spring edges and headboards.
- Live bugs: flat, oval, reddish-brown and about the size of an apple seed.
- A sweet, musty odor in heavy infestations.
Bites alone are not proof. Many other things cause bites and rashes. A visual inspection that finds bugs, eggs or spotting is the only way to confirm.
Where bed bugs hide
Bed bugs stay close to where people sleep or sit for long periods. Mattress seams and tags, box spring frames, headboards, bed frame joints, nightstands, couch seams, behind outlet covers and along baseboards are the main spots. In heavier infestations they spread into closets, picture frames and curtain hems.
Seeing this at your place right now? A local technician can talk it through with you on the phone.
Call (626) 555-0142Treatment options
Whole-room or whole-home heat treatment
Heaters raise the temperature of the room or home high enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs, while fans move the heat into furniture and walls. It usually takes one day, uses no pesticide in the living space, and lets you sleep in your bed the same night. It often finishes the job in one visit.
Targeted treatment
Licensed products are applied to cracks, seams, frames and baseboards, often combined with steam and mattress encasements. It usually needs two or three visits about two weeks apart, because eggs survive the first round.
Fumigation
For severe whole-house infestations, structural fumigation, the same method used for drywood termites, kills bed bugs everywhere in the building. It is rarely needed for a single home but is sometimes used for heavily infested buildings.
How bed bug treatment works
Discreet inspection
Call (626) 555-0142. The technician checks beds, furniture and nearby areas to confirm bed bugs and see how far they have spread. Unmarked vehicles are available on request.
Prep instructions
You get a written prep list. Typically: wash and dry bedding and clothes on high heat, bag them, clear clutter from floors and under beds.
Treatment
Heat treatment or targeted treatment is done in every affected room and nearby rooms.
Follow-up inspection
A follow-up visit checks for any surviving activity. Targeted treatments include scheduled re-treatments.
Bed bugs in Arcadia rentals
California has specific rules for landlords dealing with bed bugs, including disclosure to tenants and limits on renting out units with known infestations. If you rent and suspect bed bugs, tell your landlord in writing. If you manage property in Arcadia, treating one unit early stops the spread to the rest of the building.
Avoiding bed bugs after travel
- Check the mattress seams and headboard when you check into a hotel.
- Keep luggage on a rack, not on the bed or floor.
- Wash and dry travel clothes on high heat as soon as you get home.
- Inspect used furniture carefully before bringing it inside, especially upholstered pieces and bed frames.
Bed bug FAQ
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
Small, early infestations sometimes respond to steam, encasements and careful cleaning, but most do-it-yourself attempts spread bugs to other rooms. Store-bought foggers do not work on bed bugs.
Do I need to throw out my mattress?
Usually not. Treating the mattress and putting it in a bed bug-proof encasement is enough in most cases.
How long does heat treatment take?
Most homes are done in six to eight hours.
Can bed bugs live in my car?
They can, though it is less common. They can travel in on bags or clothing. A car can be treated if needed.