Bed bugs are small, elusive, nocturnal insects with a notorious reputation for being persistent household pests. These tiny bugs, typically about the size of an apple seed, are primarily attracted to humans due to the warmth and carbon dioxide we emit, not to mention the convenient access to their food source: blood. One of the most daunting aspects of bed bugs is their ability to go unnoticed for long periods, often making their home in the nooks and crannies of beds, furniture, and even walls or electrical outlets. They are known for their resilience and rapid reproduction rate, making an infestation particularly challenging to eradicate without professional help.
While bed bugs are more known for causing distress and discomfort rather than physical property damage, their presence can lead to significant economic consequences. Infestations often require replacing bedding, furniture, and clothing if not handled by a professional extermination team. If bed bug infestations are not dealt with swiftly by professional exterminators, eradication costs can increase quickly, especially in severe cases. According to the National Institute of Health, bed bugs can be a source of dire economic issues:
While other pest control companies often advise their customers to throw away their furniture to cut down on work, we educate our customers, save their belongings, and still eliminate the infestation.
In the US, two primary species of bed bugs are responsible for infestations - C. lectularius and C. hemipterus.
Both C. lectularius and C. hemipterus require professional treatment for effective control due to their resilience, rapid reproduction, and tendency to hide in inaccessible areas. Identifying the specific type of bed bug can help understand their behavior and effectively eliminate them.
The Cimex lectularius, known as the common bed bug, is the most widespread species of bed bug affecting homes, hotels, and other human dwellings, primarily in temperate regions. These insects are experts at hiding and can be found in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and even behind wallpapers and electrical outlet covers.
Appearance: Adult C. lectularius are small, about 4-5 mm long, characterized by their reddish-brown color and oval, flattened bodies. After feeding, they can appear swollen and reddish. They possess a pair of antennae and small compound eyes, and they cannot fly despite having wing pads.
Behavior: These bed bugs are nocturnal and come out to feed on the blood of humans, typically while people sleep, guided by the carbon dioxide and warmth emitted. Their bites can lead to various skin reactions, from no visible effects to prominent blisters.
Impact: C. lectularius is notorious for its rapid reproduction and elusive behavior, making infestations hard to control without professional help. They can cause significant psychological distress and are known for their ability to hitchhike on luggage, furniture, and other items, leading to new infestations elsewhere.
Cimex hemipterus, commonly known as the tropical bed bug, is similar to the common bed bug but is primarily found in tropical and subtropical climates. It shares many characteristics with C. lectularius but has some distinct differences and preferences in habitat.
Appearance: C. hemipterus is also small and reddish-brown but has a slightly more elongated body shape than C. lectularius. When fully grown, they measure approximately the same size, around 4-5 mm. Like their common counterparts, they swell and darken after a blood meal.
Behavior: Tropical bed bugs feed on human blood and are primarily active at night. They can cause similar bite reactions in humans, ranging from no symptoms to severe skin reactions. The tropical bed bug, however, can reproduce in warmer climates and might be found in slightly different environments due to temperature and humidity preferences.
Impact: While C. hemipterus is not as widespread globally as C. lectularius, it can cause severe infestations in regions where it is prevalent. It poses the same health risks, psychological effects, and management challenges as the common bed bug and requires similar rigorous control measures to eliminate. Like C. lectularius, the tropical bed bug can significantly impact affected individuals' quality of life, sleep, and mental health.
Detecting bed bugs can be difficult due to their small size and nocturnal habits. However, there are several signs that you might have a bed bug problem:
Chemical treatment involves our technicians applying pesticides strategically to exterminate bed bugs at their source. It is typically more economical than heat treatments and can help prevent future infestations and kill current bed bugs.
Bed bugs can be challenging to exterminate because of their ability to hide out of reach. Heat treatments can circumvent this issue and eliminate bed bugs wherever they’re hiding, no matter their life cycle stage. Heat treatments are applied by increasing the temperature in your home up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs will die within hours once temperatures reach 110-120 degrees, and temperatures beyond that range will typically kill them instantly.
The best method of pest control is to stop infestations before they start! That’s why we offer various preventative pest control options for our customers’ protection and peace of mind. Bed bugs are covered by our Bed Bug Monthly Plan and our Total Property Protection Plan.
When it comes to bed bug extermination, Black Diamond stands out for our expertise, reliability, and commitment to customer satisfaction. We understand the distress and discomfort that bed bugs can cause and are dedicated to providing effective and efficient solutions. Our trained professionals use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure your home or business is bed bug-free.
We offer bed bug treatment services at all our locations:
Don't let bed bugs threaten your peace of mind - or your wallet! Contact Black Diamond Pest Control for expert bed bug extermination. Call us at 877-DEAD-BUG or visit our website to schedule your treatment today or get a quote.
Although our general pest solutions cover a wide range of insects, there are some that require a bit more time and attention. For this reason, the following pests do not fall under our general pest designation.
Say hello to Maverick! Like his brother, he's been with us his whole life, and went through a year of training to earn his certification. With five human years of work and thirty five doggy years of experience, there's no one he'd rather sniff out bed bugs with than his beloved brother. When they're not playing around or enjoying their favorite kind of food (any you'll give them!) he loves lazy naps on the bed to rest after a good day's work.
Meet Rowdy! As his name suggests, he's a very playful pup who's been with us since he was born. He completed a year of training to earn his certification, and now at five years old, he's got thirty five years of experience in doggy years! When not enjoying tasty treats for a job well done, he loves grabbing one end of a rope toy and romping around while his brother holds the other half!
Our bed bug sniffing dogs train weekly at a number of locations to continuously enhance their noses’ capabilities and keep them sharp. During these weekly training sessions, a vial of live bed bugs is strategically placed in a room or apartment unit, typically in the corners of beds, couches, and other common areas where bed bugs like to hide. The dogs are then taken inside and begin their search, where they use their incredible noses to lead the K9 handler to the tiny insects within minutes.
The spring/summer and holiday travel season compels many homeowners to head out for a much-needed vacation, but these days it’s very likely you’ll bring home more than memories. An increase in travel inevitably leads to an increase in the spread of bed bugs due to their hitchhiking tendencies, as the small pests will clasp onto clothes, luggage, and any other personal belongings they can grab a hold of. Despite what many people believe, your level of cleanliness has no impact on how likely you are to be the victim of a bed bug infestation, as they have evolved to be picked up anywhere people gather.
If an infestation is suspected, searching for proof yourself can take hours, as these apple seed sized pests are masters of stealth. Instead of subjecting yourself to the headache of moving around and flipping furniture to visually locate bed bugs, have our K9s do the work! These dogs use their noses to zero in on their target, and they can detect the smell of live infestations within minutes. If our bed bug detecting K9 finds them on your property, the Black Diamond professionals will then know where and can focus the necessary bed bug treatments to rid your life of these blood sucking pests. Using our K9 unit for bed bug detection results in 98% or better accuracy!
If you are worried you may have a bed bug problem, but are unsure if there is an infestation, don’t hesitate to call 877-DEAD-BUG to schedule an evaluation with our bed bug sniffing K9. We’ll be there to help as soon as we can, tails wagging!
If you think you might have bed bugs in your place of business, don't worry! Our K9's are trained in a variety of environments, including commercial establishments, and these helpful pups can make the process of locating potential bed bug infestations much smoother.Due to their incredibly tiny size and their talent for squeezing into tight hiding spaces, it can be difficult to determine if and where exactly bed bugs might be hiding, and even a trained specialist can take hours to thoroughly survey a large site. This is where our K9's come in! Using their powerful noses, they can locate the problem far faster than any human, allowing treatment to begin that much sooner. You won't need to close down or worry about any significant disruptions to your business during these searches, as their handler only needs to guide the K9's through the establishment. If they detect bed bugs or viable eggs, the dogs will follow the trail and signal when they find the source.Should the dogs find live bugs, there's no need to panic! Black Diamond is here to help you treat these pests quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to business! We can usually schedule your first treatment in the same business week. While many infestations require multiple treatments to fully eradicate, we'll work with you until every last pest has been cleared out
Bed bugs can be a nightmare for homeowners and business owners alike, but with over 20,000 services annually, no one does bed bug control like Black Diamond! We consider all factors when starting bed bug treatment, and depending on your needs we have two highly effective options; heat treatment and chemical treatment. As an added form of protection, we also offer protective mattress covers that surround your mattress and keep these bloodsuckers from coming out for a midnight snack. Bed bugs can go up to six months without eating and they can also squeeze themselves into places we can't reach. As such, we've designed our treatment techniques to handle the challenge, so that not even the craftiest of bed bugs slips through the cracks. Black Diamond offers continued protection even after the bed bugs are eradicated. To get started with bed bug K9 detection services and expert level bed bug treatments, give us a call at 877-DEAD-BUG.
Bed bugs are small, elusive, nocturnal insects with a notorious reputation for being persistent household pests. These tiny bugs, typically about the size of an apple seed, are primarily attracted to humans due to the warmth and carbon dioxide we emit, not to mention the convenient access to their food source: blood. One of the most daunting aspects of bed bugs is their ability to go unnoticed for long periods, often making their home in the nooks and crannies of beds, furniture, and even walls or electrical outlets. They are known for their resilience and rapid reproduction rate, making an infestation particularly challenging to eradicate without professional help.
While bed bugs are more known for causing distress and discomfort rather than physical property damage, their presence can lead to significant economic consequences. Infestations often require replacing bedding, furniture, and clothing if not handled by a professional extermination team. If bed bug infestations are not dealt with swiftly by professional exterminators, eradication costs can increase quickly, especially in severe cases. According to the National Institute of Health, bed bugs can be a source of dire economic issues:
While other pest control companies often advise their customers to throw away their furniture to cut down on work, we educate our customers, save their belongings, and still eliminate the infestation.
In the US, two primary species of bed bugs are responsible for infestations - C. lectularius and C. hemipterus.
Both C. lectularius and C. hemipterus require professional treatment for effective control due to their resilience, rapid reproduction, and tendency to hide in inaccessible areas. Identifying the specific type of bed bug can help understand their behavior and effectively eliminate them.
The Cimex lectularius, known as the common bed bug, is the most widespread species of bed bug affecting homes, hotels, and other human dwellings, primarily in temperate regions. These insects are experts at hiding and can be found in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and even behind wallpapers and electrical outlet covers.
Appearance: Adult C. lectularius are small, about 4-5 mm long, characterized by their reddish-brown color and oval, flattened bodies. After feeding, they can appear swollen and reddish. They possess a pair of antennae and small compound eyes, and they cannot fly despite having wing pads.
Behavior: These bed bugs are nocturnal and come out to feed on the blood of humans, typically while people sleep, guided by the carbon dioxide and warmth emitted. Their bites can lead to various skin reactions, from no visible effects to prominent blisters.
Impact: C. lectularius is notorious for its rapid reproduction and elusive behavior, making infestations hard to control without professional help. They can cause significant psychological distress and are known for their ability to hitchhike on luggage, furniture, and other items, leading to new infestations elsewhere.
Cimex hemipterus, commonly known as the tropical bed bug, is similar to the common bed bug but is primarily found in tropical and subtropical climates. It shares many characteristics with C. lectularius but has some distinct differences and preferences in habitat.
Appearance: C. hemipterus is also small and reddish-brown but has a slightly more elongated body shape than C. lectularius. When fully grown, they measure approximately the same size, around 4-5 mm. Like their common counterparts, they swell and darken after a blood meal.
Behavior: Tropical bed bugs feed on human blood and are primarily active at night. They can cause similar bite reactions in humans, ranging from no symptoms to severe skin reactions. The tropical bed bug, however, can reproduce in warmer climates and might be found in slightly different environments due to temperature and humidity preferences.
Impact: While C. hemipterus is not as widespread globally as C. lectularius, it can cause severe infestations in regions where it is prevalent. It poses the same health risks, psychological effects, and management challenges as the common bed bug and requires similar rigorous control measures to eliminate. Like C. lectularius, the tropical bed bug can significantly impact affected individuals' quality of life, sleep, and mental health.
Detecting bed bugs can be difficult due to their small size and nocturnal habits. However, there are several signs that you might have a bed bug problem:
Chemical treatment involves our technicians applying pesticides strategically to exterminate bed bugs at their source. It is typically more economical than heat treatments and can help prevent future infestations and kill current bed bugs.
Bed bugs can be challenging to exterminate because of their ability to hide out of reach. Heat treatments can circumvent this issue and eliminate bed bugs wherever they’re hiding, no matter their life cycle stage. Heat treatments are applied by increasing the temperature in your home up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs will die within hours once temperatures reach 110-120 degrees, and temperatures beyond that range will typically kill them instantly.
The best method of pest control is to stop infestations before they start! That’s why we offer various preventative pest control options for our customers’ protection and peace of mind. Bed bugs are covered by our Bed Bug Monthly Plan and our Total Property Protection Plan.
When it comes to bed bug extermination, Black Diamond stands out for our expertise, reliability, and commitment to customer satisfaction. We understand the distress and discomfort that bed bugs can cause and are dedicated to providing effective and efficient solutions. Our trained professionals use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure your home or business is bed bug-free.
We offer bed bug treatment services at all our locations:
Don't let bed bugs threaten your peace of mind - or your wallet! Contact Black Diamond Pest Control for expert bed bug extermination. Call us at 877-DEAD-BUG or visit our website to schedule your treatment today or get a quote.
Although our general pest solutions cover a wide range of insects, there are some that require a bit more time and attention. For this reason, the following pests do not fall under our general pest designation.
We offer a range of removal and preventative wildlife services, with a goal to effectively and humanely resolve and prevent wildlife conflicts.
From netting and bird spikes to screening, metal flashings, sealants and chimney caps, we provide what you need to keep wild animals out.
We put buildings and homes back together to look as if damage never happened.
* Contact your local Black Diamond to ask about Wildlife Damage repair services offered.
Our services include disinfecting and animal dropping removal to keep employees and families safe. We take care of everything from beginning to end.
We offer several crawl space services including moisture control, conditioning, and encapsulation. We’ll work within your budgetary constraints to increase ventilation, ensure adequate insulation, and minimize evaporation issues. We install crawlspace dehumidifiers and web re-enforced vapor barriers that will condition your crawlspace year-round. There are many options in this area and our skilled team is happy to offer you the information and professional experience that will help you make the right decision based on your particular situation.
Black Diamond installs full and limited sump pump systems in crawlspaces, when needed, in order to eliminate and prevent standing water. We can also install moisture control measures around the exterior, if warranted, and recommend whether or not other steps such as grading or other exterior drainage work may be needed.
If you are having an issue with high humidity or musty smells in your home or business, we can install the perfect system for you. Black Diamond installs both stand-alone dehumidifiers and whole home systems that will work in conjunction with your current HVAC system. This will ensure there is an appropriate distribution of dry air throughout your structure. We also have the ability to install multiple sizes and brands at various price points to meet your needs and your budget.
Indoor dust and other contaminants are circulated through the HVAC system several times per day. These contaminants can negatively affect your family’s health. Our duct cleaning services can remove allergens in order to promote a safer living environment and improve HVAC efficiency. We offer hassle-free pricing and perform services in accordance with the strictest industry standards.
Black Diamond offers the REME HALO® Zero air purifier which reduces bacteria, viruses, odors, mold, allergens and dust at the source. This unit installed in your air conditioning system improves the air quality throughout your entire home.
Our highly trained bed bug inspectors will conduct a thorough evaluation of your home to determine the presence and/or extent of bed bug infestation and an appropriate course of action. Unlike most companies, our technicians are singularly dedicated to the art and science of bed bug elimination so you can be confident that you are in some of the best hands in the industry.
Internationally certified and are capable of sniffing out the slightest of bed bug infestations. If you are uncertain if you have bed bugs in your home, a K9 bed bug evaluation may be the best option for you.
Suspect you have termites nibbling away at your home? Call Black Diamond at 877-DEAD-BUG and we’ll inspect your property for these wood-destroying terrors – for FREE. If no termites are found, we’ll say, “Congratulations”, share a few preventative strategies, and be on our way. If we do find termite activity, our technicians will work with you to outline a plan of attack for expeditious eradication.
You may think there’s nothing worse than hearing, “You have termites” when selling a home, but at Black Diamond we turn this potential roadblock into a small, insignificant speed bump on the road to closing a sale. Call Black Diamond for your real estate inspection needs and we’ll provide prompt inspections and quick solutions for your eradication needs.
For those who do not currently have termites but would like to take a proactive approach to deter future infestations, Black Diamond has a plan for you. We offer liquid chemical and/or bait systems depending on your wants/needs. For more information, please see our Termite Shield and Total Property Protection pages.
If you have termites, no problem. Our team of termite eradication experts will go to work for you and have your home or business termite-free in no time. Our techniques have a proven success rate. In fact, Black Diamond termite treatments boast a 99.87% success rate, whereas research shows some companies have treatment failure rates of 20% – 30%. Learn more about our three levels of Termite Shield treatment options.
Our highly trained bed bug inspectors will conduct a thorough evaluation of your home to determine the presence and/or extent of bed bug infestation and an appropriate course of action. Unlike most companies, our technicians are singularly dedicated to the art and science of bed bug elimination so you can be confident that you are in some of the best hands in the industry.
Internationally certified and are capable of sniffing out the slightest of bed bug infestations. If you are uncertain if you have bed bugs in your home, a K9 bed bug evaluation may be the best option for you.
Mattress covers will not prevent bed bugs, but they will help in the process of ridding your home of these pests. The cover works by trapping the bugs inside so that they cannot bite you any longer, and without a blood meal, they will eventually die. Encasements also prevent more bed bugs from accessing your mattress, giving them less places to hide.
Service costs depend on a number of different factors. This can be the type of treatment needed, the size of the area being treated and the time needed to properly treat the pest problem. Call 877-DEAD-BUG to speak to a helpful Office Agent for more information. You can also schedule a free estimate with an Eradication Specialist.
We aim to get every customer's infestation as quickly as possible. Most service calls are completed in a 24-48 hour period.
Bed bugs prefer to finish their meals as quickly and discreetly as possible, so they go for areas of the body rich in blood vessels close to the surface, like your arms and legs.
Yes. They can survive in freezing weather for up to 72 hours.
No, bed bugs do not fly or jump.
The easiest way to describe an adult is to say they are about the size of an apple seed, approximately 1/4 inch long. Nymphs, on the other hand, are smaller and can be as tiny as the size of a poppy seed around 0.04 inch long.
Bed bugs feed every 3-7 days if a blood meal is present. Bed bugs can live up to one year without feeding. They generally bite 3-5 times in a row, we sometimes call it: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Blood.
Call Black Diamond at 877-DEAD-BUG for a detailed inspection and treatment plan. We offer several options for bed bug treatments including chemical treatments, heat treatments and mattress encasements.
We inspect for bed bugs utilizing a thorough visual inspection or we utilize our bedbug sniffing k-9s.
If you have a light infestation, then one service may eradicate bedbugs. In most cases we suggest follow up services to ensure that the insects are completely eradicated.
Bed bug bites can manifest as welts, rashes or no sign at all, since people are not allergic to the bite.
Several factors influence the duration of a bed bug treatment, including the type of treatment, size of the home, contents of the home, and the level of the infestation. Treatments can range from a couple of hours to an entire workday.
Our K-9s detect bed bugs through scent alone. They will alert on live bugs or live viable eggs. The K-9s will not alert of dead bugs or eggs.
Call our office at 877-DEAD-BUG or use our online chat to speak with a representative about starting services.
Service costs depend on a number of different factors. This can be the type of treatment needed, the size of the area being treated and the time needed to properly treat the pest problem. Call 877-DEAD-BUG to speak to a helpful Office Agent for more information. You can also schedule a free estimate with an Eradication Specialist.
We aim to get every customer's infestation as quickly as possible. Most service calls are completed in a 24-48 hour period.
Bed bugs prefer to finish their meals as quickly and discreetly as possible, so they go for areas of the body rich in blood vessels close to the surface, like your arms and legs.
Yes. They can survive in freezing weather for up to 72 hours.
No, bed bugs do not fly or jump.
The easiest way to describe an adult is to say they are about the size of an apple seed, approximately 1/4 inch long. Nymphs, on the other hand, are smaller and can be as tiny as the size of a poppy seed around 0.04 inch long.
Bed bugs feed every 3-7 days if a blood meal is present. Bed bugs can live up to one year without feeding. They generally bite 3-5 times in a row, we sometimes call it: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Blood.
Call Black Diamond at 877-DEAD-BUG for a detailed inspection and treatment plan. We offer several options for bed bug treatments including chemical treatments, heat treatments and mattress encasements.
We inspect for bed bugs utilizing a thorough visual inspection or we utilize our bedbug sniffing k-9s.
If you have a light infestation, then one service may eradicate bedbugs. In most cases we suggest follow up services to ensure that the insects are completely eradicated.
Bed bug bites can manifest as welts, rashes or no sign at all, since people are not allergic to the bite.
Several factors influence the duration of a bed bug treatment, including the type of treatment, size of the home, contents of the home, and the level of the infestation. Treatments can range from a couple of hours to an entire workday.
Our K-9s detect bed bugs through scent alone. They will alert on live bugs or live viable eggs. The K-9s will not alert of dead bugs or eggs.
Call our office at 877-DEAD-BUG or use our online chat to speak with a representative about starting services.