At Island Pest Control, we are the authority on bed bugs here on Hilton Head Island. One of the most important parts in knowing how to get rid of bed bugs is being well-trained in the relevant facts about these troublesome pests.
Bed bugs are wingless, rust colored insects. They are called “bed bugs” because they come after us while we are in our beds. They don’t fly or have nests like other pests, but they do move 
very quickly and congregate in small groups.
Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects that prefer to feed on the blood of humans. If they cannot find a human host, bed bugs will feed on other warm blooded animals, like small rodents or house pets. Although bed bugs and their bites are a nuisance, they are not known to spread disease. However, they do present serious heath risks. The anxiety about being bitten can lead to sleeplessness, and psychological distress in some people.
Bed bugs are spread by hitching rides. They will hitch rides on people’s clothing, in luggage, and in furniture; which is why bed bug infestations are common in places with a high turnover rate of people, like hotels, time shares, hospitals and rental properties. This also makes the list of locations vulnerable to infestations virtually endless. Checking for these pests regularly in high-traffic areas is key in knowing how to get rid of bed bugs.
Knowing How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs May Seem Daunting from a Traveler’s Perspective.
The United States has not experienced widespread infestations of bed bugs for decades until recently, but they did remain commonplace in other parts of the world, including Asia and South and Central America. Worldwide travel has undoubtedly played a role in bed bugs making their comeback, but this is just one of many theories. The only real facts we know about their comeback is that they have reappeared in the U.S., Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
Bed bugs usually stay close to their host, once they are present so bedrooms and sleeping areas are the most common places to find them. However, in larger infestations, bed bugs can move through a whole house and be found on any surface. Bed bugs are most active when we sleep. They crawl onto exposed skin, inject a mild anesthetic and suck up a small amount of blood. Most people never feel the actual bite, but may notice welts, bumps and red splotches on the skin. The reaction to a bed bugs bite can vary widely (if at all). Sometimes taking weeks for welts to appear.
Bed bugs feed up to twenty minutes at night, while the host sleeps, usually in the pre-dawn hours. If they are hungry and the light is low, bed bugs will feed in the daylight hours. After feeding they crawl to a sheltered crevice where they’ll remain for several days while digesting the meal.
A bed bug’s average lifespan is ten months to a little over one year, and in that time, a female may lay 300–500 eggs, depending on the temperature and the amount of food available. The eggs will hatch in about ten days and under ideal conditions, the young can reach adult reproduction age in 45-60 days. Bed bugs are resilient pests, however. A juvenile bed bug can survive for 3 months or more without feeding but an adult can live over a year without feeding.
Bed bugs are one of the hardest pests to get rid of. They are resilient to most chemicals and simply throwing away infested furniture and bed parts won’t remedy the situation. Bed bug infestations are not something to be taken lightly and a professional exterminator service should be employed.
If you have a problem with these pests and want to know how to get rid of bed bugs…or any other pest…or simply ask question…call Island Pest Control at 843-681-5188 and ask for me, John Kaiser. I’ll be happy to speak with you any time.
Here’s to helping YOU live PEST FREE!
John
Island Pest Control offers Bed Bug Heat Treatments for Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort homeowners and property managers. We can have you bed bug free after 1 treatment. Call our office today at 843-681-5188 if you suspect bed bugs in your home. We will be happy to answer any question you have or set up an inspection to identify them . With over 1,000 homes treated and a 100% success rate, we are Hilton Head Island’s bed bug experts! And we back our treatments with a 6 months 100% Retreat FREE Guarantee. To learn more about our Bed Bug Heat Treatments for Hilton Head Island, Bluffton or Beaufort.
