Bed Bug Control: What Every Atlanta Homeowner Ought To Know

For quite some time, bed bug infestations have been something you've read about in historical novels or seen mentioned in spaghetti westerns. By the end of the 80s, we thought we'd all but dealt with this problem, and cases of bed bug infestations in the United States became almost unheard of. But in the last few decades, with the increased mobility in our society and increased use of common spaces, bed bug problems are back with a vengeance. Thousands of Atlanta households struggle to clear these blood-feeding insects out of their homes every year.

Bed bugs are small insects, barely over 1/4 of an inch long, with flat, oval, mahogany-colored bodies before feeding that change to reddish-brown and swell to almost double the size as these bugs fill with blood.

All bed bugs have six legs and a pair of antennae. They can't fly or even move very fast, usually within five to six yards of a food source. Bed bugs multiply by laying eggs, with each female capable of laying up to 300 in its lifetime, which is usually around 12 to 14 months. Those eggs are often hidden in the crevices of the bed and are usually hard to find. Once they hatch from the eggs, bed bug nymphs are between about a quarter of the size of an adult bug and translucent, making them practically invisible to the naked eye.

Bed bugs feed on blood and can derive sustenance from any warm-blooded animal but with a strong preference for human blood. They've cohabited with humans for as long as we can remember and even acquired a name based on their desired feeding habits.

Sharing our homes with these home invaders is not the best idea so let's take a quick look at how to prevent bed bugs from getting into your home, how to get rid of bed bugs if they make their way inside, and if DIY methods fail, where to find reliable pest control in Atlanta.

Bed Bug Warning Signs Everyone Ought To Know

Bed bugs are nocturnal and are often not spotted until the infestation is in its advanced stages.

Some of the signs of bed bugs in your home to watch for are:

• Reddish-brown spots left by bed bugs as they feed.
• Bed bug eggs and molted skins.
• Musty odors generated from bed bug pheromones.
• Lines or clusters of bed bug bites.

Bed bug bites are the earliest sign of an infestation, but you may not know about them for days or even weeks. Bed bug saliva contains a desensitization component to ensure you don't feel their bites as they feed, and they are pretty much painless.

All The Ways A Bed Bug Infestation Can Be Problematic

Bed bugs don't carry infectious diseases, but their effect on your well-being is hard to overestimate. People in homes infested with bed bugs are commonly sleep-deprived, and bed bug bites often get infected. Frankly, just knowing you're sharing your bed with a bunch of disgusting blood-feeding insects is enough to make you want to be anywhere else but in your home.

How Bed Bugs Find Their Way Into Our Homes

Bed bugs in Atlanta are ultimate hitchhikers. They move from victim to victim using a multitude of common-use objects. A suitcase set down in an airport lounge, a library book that spent time in an infested home, or a used piece of furniture not properly inspected and brought into your house will have you facing a bed bug infestation.

The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Clearing your Atlanta home of bed bugs on your own is an almost impossible task since even a single bug and egg left behind will likely have you dealing with Act two of an infestation in short order.

At Solstys Environmental, we use eco-friendly pest control products to clear out unwelcome visitors from your Atlanta home without endangering the health of you or your four-legged friends.

If you think you have a bed bug infestation, give us a call today to learn more about our bed bug control services in Atlanta.