A common household pest problem that has been revived from the late 1990’s is the comeback of Bed Bugs. Reasons for this occurrence include an increase in international travel changing pest control methods, and an immunity build up to insecticides that have formally been used to irradiate the pest. Infestations have been found in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, movie theatres, university dormitories, and schools.

Appearance 

Bed Bugs are flat and migrate to areas of least exposure such as in the mattress or box spring of a bed. Most are white and about 1/32 inch long. Newly hatched bugs are translucent and nearly colourless. As they grow, Bed Bugs shed their skin and appear brown in colour. 

How to Recognize an Infestation 

Bed Bugs can travel in suitcases, bags, shoes, or can be transferred from furniture. The insect can travel quickly through vents and pipes and find dwelling in a mattress. The mattress lining will usually appear to be brown in colour alluding to the quantity of bed bugs infesting the area. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do Bed Bugs bites appear to look like? 

Bed Bug bites are very easy to identify. Bed Bugs usually do not bite at one central location. The Bugs will feed in one spot and immediately move to another spot within the centralized area creating a cluster of small, red, bug bites. 

 

 

 

 

Protect-A-Bed’s Bedding Encasement System (Products NOW Available)    

The PAB Bedding Encasement Systems can greatly increase the chances of effectively eliminating a bed bug population. Keeping a mattress and box spring encased also lessens the amount of time an inspector may have to spend removing the pest from your dwelling. It also protects new bedding and salvages infested bedding, increase times between infestations, aids in early detection of bed bugs, and decreases the scope of infestation.

Types of Bedding Encasements Available

• Miracle Membrane does more than prevent bed bugs from biting through the bedding of sheets; it also improves the cleanliness of the bedding because it is waterproof, air vapor porous, an allergen barrier, and a dust mite barrier.
   
• BugLock with Secure Seal 3-Sided Zipper System
  The locking mechanism seal is a major factor in protecting your mattress and aids in providing a complete protection against not only bed bugs, but allergens and dust mites. The micro-zipper teeth are specifically designed to prevent bed bugs from weaving their way through an enclosed zipper.
   
• AllerZIP Bedding Encasement
  This product represents the industry gold standards in bed bug proof and is a soft cotton terry toweling fabric on the surface, which also provides the ultimate comfort. This bedding encasement is perfect for single-family homes, condos, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts and hotels.
   
• Bed Bug Proof Box Spring Encasement Non-Woven Fabric
  This product can be used on every box spring and aids in providing bed bug entry and escape prevention.
   
• Storage and Disposal Bag 
  The ideal solution for disposing of, or moving bed bug infested mattresses and box spring to avoid spread is the use of a disposal bag. It is easy to install and is waterproof and available in two sizes. Inquire today about this unique product. 

 

To control bed bugs in homes, locate their hiding places such as described above and treat with an insecticide approved for this use. Select a product whose label includes specific directions for bed bug control. Spray or dust beds (slats, springs and frame) and other hiding places about the room.

 

Do not use any insecticide on a mattress unless the product label specifically gives directions for this use. Apply a light application to the entire surface of the mattress and as a crack and crevice application along the seams, turfs and folds. Allow 1 to 2 hours for treated surfaces to dry prior to use.

 

Because it is impossible to penetrate all hiding places, control is usually not immediate. A few living bugs may be seen for a week to 10 days after application. After 10 days, a second application, equal to the first is necessary to kill the just hatching nymphs. The pesticides used for bedbug control have a short residual life and so this second application is always needed. For heavily infested areas, it is recommended that a commercial pest control operator be consulted to control the infestation.

Some of the products/services we use: