Bed Bugs - Prevention and Treatment

Bed bugs get their name because they are commonly found in beds but can also be found in other places where humans spend a lot of time: hotels, airplanes, and couches.

Bed bugs can feed on the blood of any warm-blooded animal. Their most common targets are humans because, unlike animals with fur, we have a lot of exposed skin for them to bite.

Bed bugs do not spread disease, but their bites can become red, itchy welts. 

PREVENTION:

• Don’t take mattresses or padded furniture that has been left at the curb or on the street.
• Keep your suitcases covered in plastic and off the floor when you travel.
• When you travel, take a small flashlight to help you look for bed bugs and check your bed sheets for blood spots.
• When you return from a trip, wash all of your clothes – even those that have not been worn – in hot water to ensure that any bed bugs that may have made it that far are not placed into your drawers/closet.
• Bed bugs are hard to see, so if you think you have bed bugs, call us for a free consultation 

TREATMENT:

Express Pest Control specializes in bedbug treatments. Most bedbug programs consist of two (2) treatments approximately 30 days apart with a guarantee to follow the final treatment.

Our bedbug guarantees are 2-3 months longer than 95% of our competition. 

Depending on infestation levels, some applications will consist of 2 or 3 treatments, approximately 2 to 3 weeks apart.

All of the following are treated:

Dressers

Nightstands

Mattresses

Box Springs

Headboards

Bed Frames

Couches

Love Seats

Chairs

Coffee Tables

Wall Pictures and Paintings

Baseboards

Electric outlets and switches are dusted.

Customers (and their pets) should allow 4 to 6 hours before returning to the premises and/or using beds and furniture.

The initial application may flush the bedbugs out in the first week after treatment. The chemicals have a residual effect of approximately 45-60 days and will continue to be effective if the bedbugs come in contact with treated areas.

Bedbugs may still be present up to 30 days after an application.

Depending on infestation levels, some applications will consist of 2 or 3 treatments, approximately 3 to 4 weeks apart.

PREPARING FOR A BEDBUG TREATMENT

The key to successful bedbug treatment is preparation. Little to no preparation will cause poor results. The more preparation in advance of treatment, the more effective the treatment will be.

To properly prepare to receive the best treatment results:

• Remove all bed linens, pillowcases, bed pads, curtains and furniture dressings and place in large bags and knot securely.
• Wash items in hot water (temperature above 120 degrees) and dry using the hottest cycle available.
• Place clean items in a new plastic bag and knot securely.
• Remove mattress(es) and box spring(s) from the bed frame and stand upright.
• Take the bed frame apart for treatment.
• Empty closets, bedside tables, dressers, coffee tables and end tables for treatment.
• Place items in clean plastic bags and knot securely.
• Wash items in hot water (temperature above 120 degrees) and dry using the hottest cycle available.
• DO NOT STACK BAGS/BOXES ON FURNITURE as all furniture and beds need to be treated.
• ALL closets must be emptied and opened for treatment.
• Move items away from the wall to the center of the room, leaving a one-foot perimeter for access to baseboards.
• Remove pictures, clocks, posters and other wall hangings for inspection and treatment.
• Make these items easily accessible for treatment.
• Remove all electrical outlet covers as this is a major nesting spot for bedbugs.
• Remove everything off the floor if possible, especially in rooms where bedbugs are suspected.

THE ABOVE STEPS MUST BE REPEATED FOR EACH TREATMENT

We recommend that you keep as much of your clothing and all other items bagged securely until all of the treatments have been completed.

All steps must be completed in order to receive our guarantee and will ensure the best results.