Bed Bug Identification & Prevention

Bed bugs are oval-shaped, reddish-brown insects that are flattened from top to bottom. These parasitic pests are wingless, have antennae, six legs, and adults grow to be about 1/4 of an inch in length. Bed bugs also have a proboscis which is an elongated mouth-part that is held underneath their bodies when not in use. To feed, bed bugs extend their proboscis and inject it into their victim. Young bed bugs called nymphs look like their adult counterparts but are smaller. As they are parasitic pests, bed bugs feed on the blood of warm-blooded hosts to survive, human blood being their preferred food source. Bed bugs are only active at night, emerging from their daytime hiding spots to feed on the blood on their sleeping victims. After feeding, adult bed bugs swell and elongate, turning a deep, purplish-red color while the nymphs turn bright red.

Though they are definitely frustrating pests to deal with, bed bugs are not considered dangerous pests as most people have little to no reaction to their bites and they aren’t known for transmitting any harmful diseases to humans. And though these pests pose no significant threats to us, they do have the potential to cause problems when they invade our homes. Some individuals are allergic to their bites, causing those bites to become intensely itchy. And frequent scratching of those bites could lead to a secondary infection that requires medical attention. Additionally, having a bed bug infestation in your home can cause sleepless nights for you and your family.

Lastly, it's important to note that recent studies may have linked bed bugs to Chagas disease, a parasitic infection known to be spread by the triatome bug that can lead to severe digestive and neurological issues, so while these insects haven't been linked to the spread of harmful diseases yet, that doesn't mean they aren't a threat.

Bed bugs are typically introduced into homes accidentally, typically after you or your belongings come into contact with them in a public setting. These pests can often be introduced into homes via used furniture, mattresses, and box springs, migrating between homes and apartment units through walls or wires, inside luggage that has spent time in infested hotels or rental properties, or on clothing, outerwear, bags, or other personal belongings.

Bed bugs have made a big comeback throughout the entire United States. They can be found living in homes, apartments, hotels, healthcare facilities, dormitories, airports, shelters, schools, movie theaters, laundry facilities, office buildings, and modes of public transportation such as planes, buses, taxis, etc.

Inside homes, bed bugs first take up residence in sleeping areas, hiding in the seams of mattresses and box springs. If the infestation is allowed to continue, those bed bugs will spread throughout the home, hiding out in the cracks of walls and floors, in the seams of upholstered furniture, inside outlets and electronics, and under piles of dirty laundry.

To eliminate all the bed bugs found living inside your home, it is best to partner with a professional pest control company like Penobscot Pest Control. Our dedicated professionals will provide a thorough inspection and elimination services needed to find and completely eliminate bed bug adults, eggs, and nymphs from any home or business. Penobscot is committed to using only the best pest control products on the market. Our bed bug control service includes a combination of interior heat and chemical treatments to ensure complete bed bug elimination. To implement our bed bug control services for your home or business, contact us at Penobscot Pest Control today!

Keeping bed bugs out of your Bangor home is a difficult task, but there are a few things you can do to help. To deter bed bugs take the following preventative steps:

• Gain a good understanding of what bed bugs look like and the signs of their presence so you can get professional help sooner rather than later
• Inspect your hotel room for signs of bed bug activity before bringing your luggage and other belongings inside
• After returning home from a trip, place all clothing taken on your travels in one area such as your laundry room or garage and wash and dry it all on a high heat setting
• When out and about in public places, keep all your bags, coats, luggage, purses, and other belongings up off the ground
• Avoid purchasing used furniture, mattresses, and box springs for use in your home
• Regularly vacuum your home’s floors, rugs, and furniture to help eliminate bed bugs
• Change and wash your bedding regularly, inspecting mattresses and box springs for bed bugs during the process

For more information about our services and how they can help keep your home bed bug free, reach out to us!