Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that travel across streets, cities, and countries with the help of people. We identify these hitchhiking pests by their oval shape, reddish-brown color, and lack of wings. Before feeding, they are about the size of an apple seed; after eating, their bodies swell, increase in size, and turn a more purplish-red color. 

The sole source of nutrition for bed bugs comes from warm-blooded animals' blood. Though they will feed on the blood of rodents, birds, dogs, and cats, people are their preferred hosts. These insects have developed close relationships with people and adapted to living indoors with us. 

The best way to guard your home from these biting pests is through regular pest control services. General Environmental Services offers bed bug control in Boston to ensure your home becomes and stays free of these biting pests.

Though bed bugs are one of the most unpleasant and unwanted pests for homeowners to discover inside their homes, they aren’t a pest we consider dangerous. Unlike many other blood-feeding pests, bed bugs aren’t currently known to transmit infectious diseases to people. However, just because these pests don’t spread illness doesn’t mean they aren’t problematic. 

While most people don’t have any reaction to bed bug bites, some people can experience unpleasant allergic reactions. If you develop an itchy rash at the bites, excessive scratching can lead to a secondary infection. In addition to physical problems, bed bugs can affect a person’s mental health. It is hard to feel at ease in your home, knowing you share it with biting, blood-feeding bugs. A bed bug infestation can lead to sleepless nights and days filled with worry.

Many people believe bed bugs infest homes and other structures lacking cleanliness. However, the truth is that these pests can hitchhike into any of our Boston homes. Whether your home is cluttered or clean, you can experience a problem with bed bugs.

People come into accidental contact with bed bugs in many places, including apartments, schools, hotels, amusement parks, cruise ships, airports, and dorm rooms. The more people coming and going from a space, the more likely bed bugs will be introduced. After they crawl onto you or into your personal belongings, they will move wherever you take them, often into your home.

After being introduced into a home, bed bugs will look for a dark, quiet daytime hiding spot that puts them close to their hosts. Bed bugs are nocturnal and feed at night on their unknowing hosts while they sleep. Some of their most common hideouts include the seams of mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture. They also hang out in bed frames, headboards, cracks in walls, and under areas of dirty clothes or clutter.

Since bed bugs are nocturnal, it can take time to notice an infestation. We have compiled a list of common bed bug signs to help you identify a problem with bed bugs sooner rather than later.

Signs of bed bugs include:

• Dead or live bed bugs in or around your bed

• Piles of shed insect skins under mattresses or on the floor

• Blood drops or dark streaks on bedding, pillows, or mattresses

• A sweet, unpleasant, musty odor in certain areas of your home

The best way to identify the infestation is with the help of an experienced professional. If you have any notion that these pests may be in your home, immediately reach out to us so we can perform a thorough inspection and perform our effective bed bug treatments.

Partner with a local bed bug control expert for the most effective bed bug removal. Only professionals can provide the detailed and thorough services necessary to eliminate a bed bug infestation. At General Environmental Services, we are highly experienced, and our pest management professionals will provide the inspection, treatments, and follow-up services necessary to remove an active bed bug infestation and stop their return. To learn more, please call today and learn about our bed bug control services and our satisfaction guarantee.

To prepare for your bed bug treatment, please view our bed bug control preparation sheet.

Use these bed bug prevention tips to help stop these insects from entering and taking over your home:

• Remove areas of clutter from your home that bed bugs hide under.

• Carefully and regularly vacuum your home, paying particular attention to carpets and upholstered furniture.

• Place bed bug-proof encasements on all mattresses in your home.

• Thoroughly clean secondhand items before bringing them into your home. 

• Avoid purchasing secondhand mattresses or boxsprings for use in your home.

• When traveling, always inspect your hotel room for bed bugs before bringing your belongings inside.

• In public places, keep bags and other personal items off the ground and away from other people’s things. 

For the most effective bed bug control in the Boston area, do not hesitate to reach out to us.