Three Things Many Georgetown Residents Don't Know About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have lived next to humans for as long as humans walked the earth, living off our blood, leaving us with itchy, easily infected bed bug bites, and making our lives as miserable as possible.

Bed bugs are small, less than a quarter of an inch in length and half of that in width. They are reddish-brown insects with flat bodies that resemble apple seeds in shape until they start feeding, which makes them swell up with the blood they consume.

With instances of bed bug infestations on a sharp rise across Texas, it pays to learn how to prevent bed bugs from getting into your home, how to get rid of bed bugs if they're already in your house, and, if failing at that, how to find top-notch pest control in Georgetown.

Why Have Bed Bugs Spread So Quickly In And Around Georgetown? 

Over the millennia that bed bugs have been around, they've become masters of surviving and multiplying. The recent uptick in instances of bed bug infestations around Georgetown may be because of the following:

• More travel
• Lack of bed bug control information
• Improved resistance to treatments
• Ineffective pest control techniques

While there is no quick DIY fix to getting rid of bed bugs, learning more about them will go a long way to keeping them away from your home.

Three Things Everyone Should Know About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are different from most other pest insects we're used to dealing with, so common strategies rarely bring good results.

1. Bed bugs can withstand high temperatures. To get rid of adults and destroy their eggs, they must be exposed to at least 115 F.
2. Bed bugs can survive for over eighteen months without food; if you miss even a single egg, the chances of repeat infestation are very high.
3. Fortunately, bed bug bites do not spread diseases; you do, however, have to watch for allergic reactions and infection at the bite site.

If you've noticed the signs of an infestation, such as bed bug bites, dark spots on the bedding caused by their excrement, or tiny white bed bug eggs, the infestation is in full swing. It's time to get a bed bug control specialist involved. 

Bed Bug Prevention Tips That Might Work

If you are worried about a possibility of a bed bug infestation (as we all should be because they are nasty little critters that are very hard to get rid of), it's a good idea to follow these tried and true prevention tips:

• Get rid of clutter as it provides good hiding spaces.
• Wash your bedding regularly, drying it on high heat. Remember, the temperature has to be over 115 Fahrenheit.
• Check hotel rooms and bedding for bugs while traveling.
• Don't set your luggage on the floor in public transportation.
• Check used furniture carefully before bringing it into your home.

If luck is not on your side despite your best prevention efforts, and you suspect your house is infested with bed bugs, it's time to get a home pest control professional involved!

When Is The Best Time To Call For Professional Bed Bug Control? 

Bed bugs are tricky to spot due to being so small and adept at hiding and easy to confuse with other pests. Add to that the high chances of dealing with a reinfestation if any of the adults or eggs are left behind, and it's easy to see why dealing with bed bugs is best left to experienced professionals.

If your house has a bed bug infestation, contact Georgetown Pest Control today! We'll make your house bed bug-free and make sure it stays that way! Call for a free estimate today.