Bed bugs are small, brownish, oval-shaped insects about the size of an apple seed. They feed on the blood of humans and animals. Bed bugs are gross, annoying, and hard for you to get rid of by yourself.  Professional bed bug extermination is an important solution because these bugs are small, like to hide, and are difficult to spot.

Signs of Bed Bugs

An obvious sign of a bed bug infestation is bitten on your skin. Bed bugs tend to bite the hands, neck, face, shoulders, legs, and arms. Bites often appear in lines or in groups, and they are red, raised, and itchy.

You can also find signs of bed bugs on furniture and bedding. Check for red spots of blood on sheets and furniture that result from unintentionally squashing bed bugs. You may also see small brown spots of bed bug feces and pale yellow skin shells that bed bugs shed as they grow.

Check for these signs, as well as live bugs in areas such as:

● Around the bed, near mattress piping and seams

● Cracks and crevices on the bed frame and headboard

● In the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains

● Under loose wallpaper and paneling

If you’re not sure you have bed bugs, it’s best to contact a professional exterminator to examine your home and help you determine the appropriate treatment.

What to Do if You Have Bed Bugs

If you see unmistakable signs of bed bugs, especially seeing the bugs themselves, there are steps you can take to get rid of them. There are three steps that you can take yourself to start the extermination process:

1. Wash the affected bedding and clothing on the hottest washer setting and dry on the hottest setting for at least 30 minutes.

2. Clean mattress and furniture seams using a stiff brush to remove bed bugs and eggs.

3. Vacuum the area well and clean regularly. Although bed bugs are found in both clean and dirty areas, a regular cleaning schedule will help you spot them early.

Cleaning affected areas and materials do help, but it’s nearly impossible to thoroughly rid your home of bed bugs and their eggs without professional treatments. As soon as you suspect a bed bug infestation, call a professional exterminator, ideally one that specializes in bed bug treatments.

Effective Professional Bed Bug Extermination

Maine Bed Bug and Pest Control is a full-service structural pest exterminator with a specialty in bed bugs. Our goal is to provide affordable, safe, and effective solutions to your pest problems.

For bed bug extermination we use a heat treatment that is safe, chemical free, and highly effective. Our process takes one day and consists of using dry heat to increase the area’s temperature between 120-135°F. The heat kills the entire life cycle of the bed bugs. Heat treatment also allows you to keep your space “as is” without throwing out bedding, clothing, and linens.

For affordable and effective bed bug extermination in the Portland and Lewiston areas, call Maine Bed Bug and Pest Control at (207) 650-8654.