Bed Bugs Control Long Island

BED BUGS

LENGTH: 2/16 – 4/16 inches or 3-6mm

COLOR: Brownish red, darker when engorged after a bloodmeal

Bed Bug EcoTech Pest ControlBed Bugs are reddish-brown, with oval-shaped flattened bodies. Recently hatched bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are tiny and much lighter in color. Bed bugs do not fly, and they don’t jump like fleas do ― but they can crawl rapidly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Adult females lay several eggs per day; potentially hundreds during their lifetime. The eggs are tiny (really just a little white spec), and hard to see, especially on light-colored surfaces. The eggs are sticky, allowing the females to stick them to safe, secluded surfaces. At room temperatures, bed bug eggs hatch in about a week. Newly emerged nymphs are straw-colored and no bigger than a pinhead. As bed bugs grow they molt, or shed their skin, five times before reaching their final maturity. A blood meal is needed between each shedding for them to mature. Adult females also must feed in order to lay eggs. Under the right conditions, the bugs can mature fully in as little as a month, producing multiple generations per year. Cooler temperatures or limited access to blood prolong the development time. Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flat bodies allow them to fit into the tiniest of cracks and crevices–especially the tiny seems around mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. But they will also spread into the seams in the frames of nearby furniture, curtain rods, window sills, books, picture frames, electronic components, firearms and toys. Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in clusters within their hiding places. Upon inspection, you may notice these areas are marked by small black or black/red spots and stains (looks like somebody was tapping the surface with the tip of a black marker). These stains are dried droppings of the bugs, and droplets of blood that they let out after a blood meal. In the seams of mattresses or around other areas they congregate may be hatched and un-hatched eggs, the tannish shed skins of maturing nymphs, or clusters of the bugs themselves. Another possible sign are rusty or reddish smears on bed sheets or mattresses from crushed engorged bed bugs. You may hear it be said that bed bugs produce a “buggy odor”, but this is only evident in the most extreme of infestations, so someone who merely suspects that they MAY have bed bugs cannot rely on the presence of an odor as any indication. Dark spots on mattress and box spring are the main telltale sign of bed bugs. Bed bugs prefer to hide close to where they feed, but if necessary will crawl several feet to obtain a meal. Initially the bugs tend to be situated around sleeping areas, i.e., beds, couches and recliners. However, if left untreated, the infestation will grow to the point that the bugs are forced to move further and further away from sleeping areas to find adequate shelter, which makes controlling the pests far more difficult.

What to look for:

To check for Bed bugs, check the mattress and box spring by looking for these tiny bugs and their eggs along the seams and creases of the mattress.You may also spot small blood stains or brown fecal matter left by the bugs. If you are vacationing, checking the mattress should be the first thing you do. Do not unpack any clothes. Bed bugs can easily make their way into your bags. These bugs not only stay on mattresses but they can be found in furniture and clothing too. If you suspect you have been bitten see your doctor. They do not transmit diseases but can irritate your skin.

If you suspect you have a Bed Bug problem, we recommend calling EcoTech, your professional exterminator to start treatment. There are a few steps to take before an effective treatment can be executed. All clothes, sheets and pillows are to be put in bags and removed from the area for 24 hours. Also remove any personal items or things in your drawers. We recommend that you do not sleep in the area for 24 hours. We then come and remove all visible bed bugs and treat the area to terminate any hidden bugs and eggs. EcoTech Pest Control can give you an effective, Bed bug removal service for your home. Call us today (631) 887-3028 or (516) 226-0988