Bed bugs are tiny pests that can cause serious problems for homeowners. These insects hide in mattresses, furniture, and tiny cracks in homes. If you live in St. Louis, MO, you might be wondering if you should worry about bed bugs. Bed bugs do not cause property damage or spread diseases. However, they can give itchy and irritating bites. Thankfully, you can prevent an infestation from growing if you know the signs to look for. This lets you act quickly by hiring professional St. Louis pest control service.
Why Bed Bugs Are a Growing Concern in St. Louis
Bed bugs have an increasing activity in St. Louis due to increased travel. Bed bugs are hitchhikers. They can crawl into your belongings and travel unnoticed into your home. These pests thrive in places where people gather, such as hotels and public transportation. Also, they can be found in apartment buildings and offices. Once they find a new location, they can multiply fast. This makes quick detection and treatment especially important.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed. They are reddish-brown, flat, and oval-shaped. After feeding, they swell and turn darker in color.
Bed bug eggs are tiny and white, making them hard to spot. Nymphs are almost colorless and become darker as they grow. Because of their size and ability to hide well, bed bugs can go unnoticed for weeks.
How to Know If You Have Bed Bugs
You might have bed bugs if you wake up with red, itchy bites. These bites are especially visible on arms, legs, and other exposed areas. They might appear in a cluster and can be mistaken for mosquito bites. Other signs of an infestation include small dark spots on sheets or mattresses, tiny blood stains on bedding, and shed skins or empty shells. Also, you might notice a musty, sweet smell in the room if bed bugs have invaded it.
Why DIY Methods Don’t Work
Handling bed bugs on your own is rarely successful. Over-the-counter sprays may kill some bugs on contact. However, they don’t reach the ones hiding in cracks, wall voids, or inside mattresses. Bed bugs are good at hiding and can survive for months without feeding.
Using heat or cold incorrectly can also drive the bugs deeper into hiding. Without the right tools and experience, you might miss parts of the infestation. This is why professional help is strongly recommended.
The Importance of Professional Treatment
Professional pest control companies have the training and equipment needed to find and eliminate bed bugs at all life stages. In St. Louis, Pointe Pest Control is a trusted name when it comes to bed bug solutions. Their technicians know where to look and how to treat the infestation. They take steps to prevent the bugs from coming back. Pointe Pest Control uses safe and effective methods that are tailored to each home. They also offer follow-up visits and helpful advice on how to avoid re-infestation.
Preventing Bed Bugs in Your Home
While no home is completely immune to bed bugs, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. These include inspecting hotel rooms before unpacking luggage and keeping suitcases off the bed and floor when traveling. Also, wash travel clothes in hot water when returning home and avoid bringing used furniture into your home without checking it carefully. Vacuum and clean bedding often, especially if you live in a multi-unit building. If you live in an apartment or condo, let your property manager know right away if you suspect bed bugs. Early treatment can prevent the pests from spreading to neighboring units.