Bed Bug Treatment

What are Bed Bugs?

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.

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Bed Bug Property Damage Statistics

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:

A single infestation can result in hundreds to thousands of dollars in treatment and replacement costs.

The stigma of bed bugs can decrease property values and deter potential buyers or renters.

Businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry, can suffer severe damage to their reputation and loss of revenue due to bed bug outbreaks.

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.

Types of Bed Bugs

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.

C. Lectularius

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.

C. Hemipterus

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

What are the Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?

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:

Bites on Your Skin

Often appearing in a line or small cluster, bed bug bites can be itchy and red.

Blood Stains on Your Bedding or Pajamas

As bed bugs feed, they can leave behind small blood spots.

Dark or Rusty Spots of Bed Bug Excrement

Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on sheets, mattresses, bed clothes, and walls.

Egg Shells or Shed Skins

Egg shells or shed skins in areas where bed bugs hide.

An Offensive, Musty Odor

An offensive, musty odor from the bugs' scent glands.

Our Bed Bug Treatment Options

Chemical Treatments for Bed Bugs

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.

Heat Treatments for 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.

Ongoing Plans (Preventative)

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.

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Why Black Diamond?

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.

Over 3,000 Reviews and Counting

Our headquarters location alone, located in Jeffersonville, IN, and serving the greater Louisville area, has surpassed 3,000 reviews on Google. Of which, over 95% left five-star reviews. Across our other 13 locations, we’ve achieved a cumulative 875 reviews.

K9 Bed Bug Detection

Our K9 detection team is the best in the business when it comes to sniffing out bed bugs - literally. Our K9s are trained to search large areas for bed bugs and detect them more efficiently than standard bed bug detection methods.

Family-Owned Since 1940

Our long-standing presence in the industry, spanning over eight decades, is a testament to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Being family-owned adds a personal touch to our services, ensuring that every client is treated with care and every job is done with a dedication that only a family business can provide.

More Than 20,000 Bed Bug Treatments Annually

We perform over 20,000 bed bug services yearly. Our bed bug technicians are experts in rooting out infestations at their source.

Ranked 42nd by Pest Control Technology

This ranking is a significant achievement and showcases our position as a leading player in the pest control industry. Being in the top 100 reflects our scale of operations, quality of service, and the trust our customers place in us.

Strongest Bed Bug Warranties in the Industry

Our warranties offer unparalleled protection and peace of mind. They are a reflection of our confidence in our services and commitment to customer satisfaction. This strong warranty coverage ensures that our customers feel secure in their investment and trust in our ability to handle their bed bug problems effectively.

Our Bed Bug Treatment Locations

We offer bed bug treatment at all our locations:

Bed Bug Treatment Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of service?

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.

How quickly can I get a service scheduled?

We aim to get every customer's infestation as quickly as possible. Most service calls are completed in a 24-48 hour period.

Where do bed bugs bite?

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.

Can bed bugs live in the cold?

Yes. They can survive in freezing weather for up to 72 hours.

Do Bed Bugs fly or jump?

No, bed bugs do not fly or jump.

How big are bed bugs?

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.

How often do bed bugs feed?

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.

What do bed bugs eat?

Blood.

How do you get rid of bed bugs?

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.

How do you check for bed bugs?

We inspect for bed bugs utilizing a thorough visual inspection or we utilize our bedbug sniffing k-9s.

Does one bed bug treatment work or how many do I need?

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.

What are the signs of bed bug bites?

Bed bug bites can manifest as welts, rashes or no sign at all, since people are not allergic to the bite.

How long does a bed bug treatment take and should we leave?

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.

How do your Bed Bug dogs find bed bugs?

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 to dead bugs or eggs.

How do I get started with bed bug treatment?

Call our office at 877-DEAD-BUG or use our online chat to speak with a representative about starting services.