Have you discovered the dreaded bed bugs in your home? Unfortunately, you're not alone in that. According to research presented by OneDesk, about 20% of homes and hotels in the United States have a bed bug problem at any given point. What's worse is they can be found in any upholstered location from buses to movie theater seats. Here's some key information from our expert exterminator team about how to best handle your potential bed bug infestation.

Don't Panic

First things first, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. The key is not to panic, but to take swift and thorough action. You can inspect your home closer by checking the mattresses, box springs, bed frames, couch cushions, and any cracks or crevices near sleeping areas. Look for live bugs, eggs, and small dark stains that may be droppings or blood. Unfortunately, these pests are particularly nomadic, so you're likely to find them in more than one place.

Do Isolate the Impacted Areas

Once you've confirmed bed bugs, start isolating the problem. Strip the bed and wash the bedding on the hottest setting. Any clothing or fabric items near the bed should also be washed and dried on high heat. The heat will kill bed bugs and eggs. Missing any of these objects can lead to a resurgence, however, so be sure to clean thoroughly. Don't spread items from the rooms with bed bugs to other areas of your home before they have been cleaned and treated. This can transfer bugs to new locations.

Do Reach Out for Professional Treatment

As you might imagine, bed bug extermination requires very skilled applications of pesticides and HEPA vacuuming to clear out. Improper treatment can just scatter the infestation and make it worse. When you reach out for estimates from a few reputable exterminators in your area, make sure you look for licensed and experienced companies. You should also make sure they offer comprehensive treatment options including follow-up visits if needed.

Don't hesitate to ask questions! A good exterminator will explain their methods, products, preparation requirements, and next steps in detail. They can put your mind at ease about the treatment process.

At Barrett Pest & Termite Services, we understand how stressful bed bug infestations can be. If you suspect you have bed bugs, reach out to our team for help today! Call us or fill out our Request a Consultation form to get started.