Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on blood. The name of the “bed bug” is derived from the insect’s preferred habitat of houses and especially beds or other areas where people sleep. Bed bugs are mainly active at night, but are not exclusively nocturnal and are capable of feeding on their hosts without being noticed. Visible live bugs that appear active in the daytime are typically signs of a significant infestation.
Adult bed bugs are light brown to reddish-brown, flattened, oval-shaped and have no hind wings, but front wings are vestigial and reduced to pad-like structures. They have segmented abdomens with microscopic hairs that give them a banded appearance. Adults grow to 4–5 mm in length and 1.5–3 mm wide. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in color and become browner as they molt and reach maturity. The molting process is a shedding of the outer layer of skin. These skins can be found in and around areas of significant infestations. If you notice the appearance of pin shaped reddish brown dots anywhere in your home or on your furniture you should immediately arrange for treatment. These dots are primarily fecal matter and are also signs of a significant infestation.
Bed bugs are attracted to their hosts primarily by carbon dioxide and body heat. They tend to bite their hosts while they sleep by assimilating their breathing patterns. A bed bug will feed on a host for three to five minutes or more, and then return to its hiding place. Bed bugs can live from 6 months to a year without feeding but they normally try to feed every five to ten days.
Our Process Of Alimination
We have a comprehensive process that combines elements of chemical, heat and freeze treatments. The process eradicates all bed bugs in the unit, and also leaves a protective barrier to prevent future infestations. Once the unit is prepared for treatment, the first step is to treat the cracks, crevices, wall voids and electrical outlets with an insecticide dust. This makes insect access or entry into your unit and mobility throughout your unit extremely difficult. The second step is to re-treat those same areas along the entire floor and ceiling perimeters with a combination of pressured steam and insecticide knock down. This serves not only to eliminate any bed bugs on contact, but to also disrupt the harborages or nests within the walls, so that bed bugs which are typically at rest become active and mobile. This heightened activity level results in significant and consistent contact with the pre-applied insecticide dust, eventually eliminating the insect. The final step is to use a specialized pressurized aerosol which reaches a near freezing temperature while being applied to furniture, mattresses and other personal items as needed.
Aliminator does not believe in using Bed Bug dogs as a detection tool. The lifespan of the Dog is severely diminished, sometimes living up to only 2-3 years of age from constant inhalation of harsh chemicals and toxins. Additionally, because the dog’s efficacy hinges on both the aptitude of the handler and the dog’s variable treat motivation, there exists a high probability of missed bed bug activity or false alerts. In fact, recent technological advancements allow pest control technicians to monitor for bed bugs using state-of-the-art carbon dioxide containment units. Ask us about our professionally installed BedBugMonitoring service.
Preparing for Bed Bug treatment can be a daunting task. To properly prepare your home or apartment for treatment several key tasks must be completed. These include washing and drying every article of your clothing and linens, stripping of your beds, removing clutter and moving furniture away from wall boards and walls. Aliminator is able to provide comprehensive quality service at reasonable prices because we place the burden of preparation on the tenant. However, we understand that sometimes the tenant cannot prepare and in these instances we will prepare the apartment for treatment. Ask us about our BedBugPreparation.
Once a unit is prepared for treatment Aliminator employs a multi-step treatment process that is designed to first re-activate all existing Bed Bugs followed by a comprehensive eradication. We offer a 1 or 2 visit treatment option with a 30 or 60 day guarantee. We will inspect your apartment for bed bugs free of charge and offer you a competitive rate for high level treatment. Call us for a free estimate over the phone or email us at service@aliminator.com you can also fill out our Bed Bug Estimate form for a free quote.
