Here at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, we hear a lot of bed bug myths. Some true, and some that might be a little far-fetched. Knowing about bed bugs is the first step in getting rid of them, so let’s take a look at some of the common myths, and what you can do if you happen to find bed bugs in your home.
MYTH # 1: Bed Bugs Can Fly
Well, this one happens to be absolutely false, thankfully. Although they can get around just fine, bed bugs lack wings, therefore making them unable to do any flying. As for their crawling speed, bed bugs can cover about 1 meter per minute.
MYTH #2: Bed Bugs Can Go A Long Time In Between Meals
This is true, and is bad news for who enjoy DIY projects because you cannot guarantee full elimination with one treatment. It has been found that in a normal room, under normal conditions, at normal temperatures, bed bugs can actually survive over three months without a blood meal, and some people debate that it's even longer still. In colder climates, bed bugs are known to be able to slow their metabolism as they are cold-blooded, which could give potential credence to bed bugs being able to survive longer.
MYTH #3: Bed Bugs Only Live In Mattresses
This is unfortunately not true. Bed bugs require blood meals, and often times they will find a home near a place that offers them this at ease. This makes beds their prime feeding ground, as bed bugs will often come out and feast while you are sleeping and an easy target. It makes sense that they would set up shop nearby, but bed bugs are known to call many other places home as well. They are often found in suitcases, on trains, in movie theaters, and even on pets. They frequent hotels and can hide in the smallest of places like the stitching on your upholstery or in your dresser drawers.
MYTH #4: You Can Easily Spray Bed Bugs Away With DIY Chemicals
One of the more common myths out there is that bed bugs can be relatively easy to remove. This one is probably the furthest from the truth. Bed bugs are extremely resilient, and getting rid of them is no easy task. With the ability to develop resistance to pesticides, and a habit of hiding in places that most people will never see, taking care of bed bugs should generally be left up to a professional. DIY chemicals can also be very easily misused, creating potential for harm to you, your family and your pets.
If you find you have bed bugs, immediately remove all upholstery and wash it thoroughly in hot water. Make sure to vacuum, focusing on places like seams, stitching, around buttons on upholstery, and inside upholstered items if possible. After, make sure to call a professional to come in for a full inspection so that you aren’t running into the same problem in a few weeks or even days.
If you have bed bugs, don’t worry. Here at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators Davenport, we have all the right tools and tricks. A pest control specialist will visit your home, assess the infestation and then execute the proper steps necessary to entirely eradicate the problem. We employ several techniques, from heat treatments to conventional treatments, all while using unique detection techniques, including bed bug canines, to ensure that no bed bug goes overlooked.
Using bed bug detection canines provides us a unique advantage, as dogs can easily find bed bugs in the midst of clutter without a real impact on the home itself. They also have the ability, through smell, to detect bed bugs in places that we might not be able to see such as under furniture and in walls. After we have detected bed bugs we implement fast and effective treatments, using techniques like heat, where we raise the air in the room to an effective temperature known to kill all stages of bed bug life. This allows us to reach the nooks and crannies that a person could never get to, regardless of how big or small.
If bed bugs are getting the best of you, call us today and ask about our free home inspection to see if our bed bug treatment is right for you. Having been tackling pest problems in Central Illinois and Southeast Iowa since 1929, you can count on us to come with not only the right tools but the knowledge to use them correctly. One thing we know isn’t a myth is that bed bugs should never be welcome in your home, so contact us at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators today!