Most people know that bedbugs aren’t something they want in their homes. But there is a surprising amount of misinformation circulating about them, which makes getting rid of bedbugs almost impossible. Here is a list of common bed bug myths that you should be aware of if you want to prevent future outbreaks.

1) You Can’t See Bed Bugs.
It would almost be easier if this was true—bed bugs are pretty darn ugly. But you don’t see them because they’re feasting in the wee hours of the early morning. Adults bed bugs are a reddish brown color are a good 3-5mm in size.

2) If I Throw Out My Bed, The Bugs Are Gone.
If only this were true! Unfortunately, when you have a serious infestation, bedbugs and their hundreds of eggs, can hide just about anywhere. This means that simply chucking your bed and buying a new one will be your key to bed bug control.

3) Bedbugs are result of poor hygiene.
This is probably the biggest misconception regarding bedbugs. They have no cleanliness level standards and can be found in hovels, swanky hotels, and everywhere in between. Bed bugs don’t discriminate.

Let’s be real. Bed bugs are terrifying. And getting rid of bedbugs can be even more of a nightmare.

The idea of parasitic insects that burrow in your bedding and feast on your blood at night sounds more like a plot for a B-horror movie than a real life crisis. But for those who are suffering from bed bugs, it’s all too real. To make the problem even more of a nightmare for urban dwellers, reports of bed bugs have increased 71 percent in the last five years according to the National Pest Management Association.

I'm always look for way to prevent bed bugs and have found a few tips that I think are pretty useful. If you aren’t already aware, here are a few tips to keep your home free of the nocturnal bloodsuckers.

If you’re sleeping in a bed that’s not your own, check it for sign of bedbug feces which look like clusters of black pinpoints on the bedding. Sometimes you may even find their shed skin which look like reddish brown discs up to a quarter inch long.

If you think you’ve been exposed to bed bugs while travelling, the NPMA suggest you wash EVERYTHING before bringing it into your home. Vacuum out your suitcase and wash all your clothes, even if you didn’t wear them.

If you buy secondhand furniture and clothing, inspect the items thoroughly before you bring them home.

All in all, getting rid of bed bugs can be especially tricky, so prevention is the best way to control them.

Bedbugs feed on human blood, which is why they are so obnoxious. Like mosquitoes, they bite the source and leave little itchy spots on our skin.

What is notable about bedbugs is that up until about WWII, they were a problem, and then they were virtually eradicated with the widespread use of pesticides. In the 1990’s, however, these pests have resurfaced. Many people attribute their resurgence to international travel. Staying in hotels may have allowed bedbugs into luggage and eventually into the United States.

Furthermore, during the mid 90’s the way in which hotels applied pesticides changed, with a focus towards cockroaches and ants. The broad-based pesticides used until then were discontinued and, as a result, the little pests were free to infest.

Bedbugs feed at night, and because their bites are painless, fill up on enough blood for weeks with one bite, then retreat into their hiding places. This is part of why discovering bedbug infestations can be so difficult. And because the symptoms can be easily confused with other itch and rash inducing agents, bedbugs can go unnoticed.

So if you think that you have bedbugs, call the bedbug inspectors to get rid of bedbugs. Bed bug control begins with you, after that the inspectors send in a team of dogs, which can sniff out the culprits if they are there.

Although dogs have been used for decades to detect missing people, bombs, and even drugs, they have only been sniffing out bedbugs for the past couple of years. These canines sometimes begin their training as puppies, and can often detect multiple instincts, including bedbugs and termites. If you're trying to prevent bed bugs, a dog team might be just what you're looking for.

You might think that training canines to detect bedbugs is a lot of work, but dog teams are always huge time-savers in the end — it only takes them two or three minutes to sweep a typical room! Plus, many dogs are even trained to differentiate among live and dead bed bugs, and well as detecting their eggs and fecal matter.

If you're still on the fence about hiring a dog team, remember that these canines aren't just used to help individual homeowners and renters. Businesses and organizations of all sizes rely on these same teams of dogs every day, including hospitals, summer camps, colleges, hotels, and even military barracks. When it comes to getting rid of bedbugs, even places like these can use a hand.

Did you know?

The bedbug is a microscopic parasite that is a large part of the Cimicidae family. Their survival depends on a large supply of blood from humans or any type of animal that is warm blooded. They tend to inhabit humans beds or anywhere that people or animals sleep, thus the name bedbug. During the early part of the 1940`s the Americans used pesticides to get rid of bedbugs.

This was thought to have completely eradicated the problem. In recent years, however, they have made a comeback and this has prompted the development of many of the fantastic bed bug control products on the market today. There are many different products and methods available when it's time to get rid of bedbugs; many believe that the use of alcohol or steam to be a successful option but it does not permanently resolve the issue. These methods can generally just be used for small infected areas.

A superb option to prevent bed bugs is to use one of the many protective sheets that completely cover the mattress to stop the bedbugs cultivating in the first place.

If you feel like it is time to get professional help, contact us at www.thebedbuginspectors.com!

Bedbugs have experienced resurgence in the past decade, putting individuals on edge, and requiring extra vigilance against these obnoxious pests. You have probably heard some general information about how to get rid of bedbugs, but should an infestation happen to you, or to someone you know, it is important to be informed of some of the steps that you can take to effectively control the situation. Bed bug control is especially challenging, since the creatures are microscopic and can be hard to view with the naked eye.

If you suspect bedbugs however, consider inspecting your mattress, with emphasis on the corners, with a magnifying glass or flashlight to detect any signs, such as eggs, droppings, or the insects themselves. If you find signs of the pests, then consider the following actions: Steam cleaning and very high temperatures are proven to be effective ways to kill bedbugs. Consider having your mattress cleaned with a fabric steamer, and tumble your bedding in a high temperature, industrial dryer.

Providing your bed was the only infested area, these treatments should be the most effective means of getting rid of bedbugs. Once you have dealt with the problem, you will want to take action to prevent bed bugs from returning. Consider sealing your mattress and box spring with a bedbug-resistant cover or encasement.

Or you can just come to us. The Bedbug Inspectors.

There are actually quite a few things you can do in order to get rid of bedbugs. You can either do this on a DIY basis and buy a product that will kill bedbugs - which could be somewhat scary especially if you know nothing about bedbugs. You can do it from a natural way, and find recipes and solutions online that are going to help you prevent bed bugs and kill bedbugs on the spot - which is still scary if you don't know anything about them. Or.... you can hire someone to kill bedbugs.

Getting rid of bedbugs can be such a nuisance and a pain if you don't know what they are, how they got there or how to get rid of them. Bedbugs - unlike the ones our parents used to say goodnight to us with - "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite", are actually quite horrific.

These little bugs can be compared to fleas, lice and ticks in that they love humans! Aren't we lucky! These bedbugs feed off of human blood and will quite literally "bite" you. The result? A small red blotch, somewhat like a mosquito bite that is going to itch like crazy! These are one of the hardest bugs to get rid of which is why you should consider bed bug control with a licensed bedbug inspection company!