Understanding Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs are small, reddish-brown pests that hitchhike via luggage, furniture, and clothing, hiding in cracks and seams.
Bed Bug Treatments and More
Protect Your Property from Bed Bugs with Safe, Effective, and Tailored Solutions. Aetna Pest Control provides tailored solutions to eliminate bed bug infestations.
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Bed Bug Hotspots
Bed Bugs hide in mattress seams, box springs, and furniture, often spreading in hotels, transport, and offices.
Infestation Prevention
Reduce clutter, vacuum, wash and dry affected linen on a high heat for at least 30 minutes. Call Aetna for a tailored treatment plan.
Signs of Bed Bug Infestations
Common signs of Bed Bugs include tiny blood stains on sheets, shed skins, and dark fecal spots on mattresses, bedding, or furniture. Red, itchy bites on exposed skin, often appearing in clusters or lines, can indicate an infestation. Musty odours may also be present in heavily infested areas. While bed bugs can feed on various hosts, they prefer human blood and typically hide in cracks, crevices, and upholstery near sleeping areas.
Bed Bug Life Cycle
he life cycle of a bed bug is shown in the adjacent photograph. During its lifetime, a Bed Bug will go through the following stages (Starting from the top left, moving counterclockwise):
- Eggs (1mm).
- 1st stage nymph (1.5 mm).
- 2nd stage nymph (2 mm).
- 3rd stage nymph (2.5 mm).
- 4th stage nymph (3 mm).
- 5th stage nymph (4.5 mm).
- Unfed adult female.
- Unfed adult male.
Likely Hiding Spots for Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs are highly resilient and capable of hiding in a wide variety of environments. When deprived of food sources, they will go dormant and can survive for up to a year without feeding. Common hiding spots include but are not limited to:
- Mattresses
- Bed Frames
- Couches and Chairs
- Within electronics devices
- Bags and luggage
- Toys
- Books and magazines
- Cracks in floorboards
- End Tables
Bed Bugs Q & A
See some common questions below for some information that can help with your Bed Bug Infestation
Early signs include small red bites in clusters, tiny rust-colored stains on sheets, and shed exoskeletons near sleeping areas. You may also notice a musty odor in heavily infested areas.
Bed Bugs spread easily, acting as excellent hitchhikers. They enter homes via infested furniture, luggage, and second-hand items. Furthermore, personal items or people exposed to infested furniture can carry them elsewhere. Finally, they can travel between rooms in multi-unit dwellings like apartment buildings and hotels.
Inspect hotel rooms, theaters, and public transport spaces for signs of Bed Bugs, keep personal items off the floor, and wash clothes and dry on a high heat in the dryer for at least 3o minutes after returning home. Using protective covers on mattresses and box springs can also help prevent infestations.
Inspect seams, pockets, and folds of your luggage. Pay special attention to dark areas.
Although Bed Bugs primarily feed on humans, they can also bite pets and other animals. They do not live on the fur of pets. Instead, they often infest pet bedding, which can harbor a significant population and is frequently overlooked during inspections.
Yes, certified pest control companies use safe, regulated, and tailored treatments. A combination of vacuuming, steam, and insecticides are applied carefully to ensure safety. Following post-treatment guidelines provided by your pest control specialist can further reduce the likelihood of re-infestation.