If you’ve ever found a bed bug inside of your home, you might have had a moment of panic as you looked around the room, wondering if there were more of them lurking about. You might have also immediately looked online to research these pests, assess the seriousness of them, and review available treatment options. Whatever your reaction, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to feel overwhelmed and perplexed. In today’s article, we’ll take the guesswork out of it for you by reviewing what you should do if you find a bed bug in your home.
If you’re a Denver homeowner, worry no more! Advanced K9 Bed Bug Seekers is here to help! For thorough, accurate, and efficient bed bug inspection, give us a call! In the meantime, read on to learn more!
Three Steps to Take After Finding a Bed Bug
If you have found one bed bug in your home, chances are high that there are more. A fertile female can lay multiple eggs (four to five) every day for as long as nine months! As you can imagine, it won’t take long for a full-blown infestation to take hold, if it hasn’t already. We recommend doing the three things below immediately.
Inspect the Room
As we mentioned in a prior blog, bed bugs like to nest within five to 10 feet of their food source. Carefully examine the room that you found the bed bug in and look for evidence of additional activity. This may include things such as eggs, empty shells, fecal stains, and live bugs. We recommend checking the following areas of the room:
- Bed linens and pillows
- Mattresses, box springs, and headboards
- Pet beds
- Baseboards
- Curtains
- Lampshades
- Sofas and other furniture
- Electronics
In short, it’s essential to inspect any area in the room where bed bugs might be hiding. It’s also a good idea to inspect all of the other rooms in your home. This is a vital first step in proper bed bug detection that many homeowners can complete in the absence of a professional.
Clear the Room
Regardless of whether you’ve found additional bug or not, it’s wise to remove any soft goods from the area you found the first bed bug in. Heat is an effective method for killing live bed bugs, and as such, it can be helpful to put items like bed sheets, pillows, clothing, blankets, stuffed animals, and other washable things in the dryer on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. Remove other items in the room and take them outside. Do not move them to another room in your home.
Contact a Professional
Many homeowners have a do-it-yourself attitude when it comes to home improvements and maintenance. Bed bugs are different from other pests such as spiders, ants, and mites because they are highly resistant to pesticides. Additionally, because they are very small, it is very easy for them to avoid extermination by hiding in small crevices. The best way to ensure you have a solid handle on the scope of your infestation and the best means of mitigation is to call a qualified pest control professional.
Professional Bed Bug Inspection in Denver
Are you looking for a reputable and professional bed bug inspection company in Denver? Contact Advanced K9 Bed Bug Seekers! We’d love to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and provide you with inspection services with our bed bug dog that you can rely on.
Call us at 720-251-2665 to request an inspection today!
Schedule an Appointment!
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