Category Archives: Bed Bugs Connecticut

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Bed bugs are making a comeback in the United States. They are occurring in any type of residence or lodging from the most luxurious hotel to more modest homes. They are not associated with unsanitary conditions. Bed bugs can be introduced to any household or establishment from visitors or by hitching a ride in your luggage.

Aristotle described bed bugs two thousand years ago. Bed bugs have been recorded in American history as far back as the 17th century. The early colonists inadvertently brought them from Europe to the new world. Up until World War II, bed bugs were a common problem in the United States. Strong new insecticides, such as DDT, were developed during the 1940s and 1950s which effectively reduced the incidences of bed bug infestations. Domestic and international travel and the removal of many organo-phosphate pesticides have contributed to the population explosion that has occurred over the past decade.

What is a Bed Bug? The bed bug is an ectoparasite of warm-blooded animals including humans, animals, bats, and birds.The wingless, mature bed bug is brown, flattened and between 1/4 and 3/8-inch long. When engorged with food (blood) the body becomes elongated and swollen, and the color changes from brown to dull red. The change in size, shape and color is so great that bugs in different degrees of enlargement may appear to be of different species. Nymphs are smaller in size but of similar color and shape. All stages feed on humans; nymphs must have a blood meal before they can molt to the next stage of development.

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Life Cycle A female bed bug lays about two eggs per day and may lay approximately 200 tiny white eggs. The eggs are oblong and sticky, hatching in as little as four or up to 24 days. Upon hatching nymphs, will immediately move to feed.There are five immature nymph stages, each one requiring a blood meal to continue. Adults require a blood meal for reproduction. Total developmental time from egg to adult ranges from six weeks to four months or more depending on conditions. They can live up to a year to a year and a half. The stages of the bed bug life cycle are illustrated below. (Diagram courtesy of North Carolina State University.)

Bed bugs are very hardy insects, able to withstand several months without food (blood) or adverse conditions.These insects are nocturnal, moving to their hosts at night to feed quickly for three to fifteen minutes and seeking hidden shelter upon completion.In bedrooms, bed bugs will hide in the joints and crevices of bed frames and box springs, in the seams and folds of mattresses and even in the upholstery of furniture, hollow bedposts, under base boards and behind wallpaper. Signs of Bed Bug Infestations Bites are very irritating and can cause severe itching. Bites are commonly seen as red welts with a tiny dot at the center.They have not been shown to transmit any human disease.People may have varying degrees of allergic reactions to the bites. This is caused by anesthetic and anticoagulant substances injected during feeding. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Stress, anxiety and sleeplessness often result from bed bug infestations. Visual signs are spots of brown excrement from the insects, dead bed bugs and molted skins. Fecal spots of digested blood might be seen on bedding. Look for dead bugs and cast skins in or near hiding places; in mattress seams, furniture crevices, or small dark areas. Bed bugs are nocturnal, most active in the hours before dawn. They avoid the light and are seldom seen.Large infestations are characterized by a distinct and unpleasant odor.

Sources of Introduction

Bed bug infestations are the result of the introduction of viable eggs or live bugs into the household.Nesting rodents (including bats), nesting birds, pests, guests and contaminated bedding are important means of spread. Bed bugs are also carried from place to place in the baggage or on the clothing of transients and occasionally in packages.They may be brought into non-infested houses with infested furniture.They may crawl from house to house in thickly settled neighborhoods.They can live without food for several months or possibly feed on the blood of mice and thus maintain an infestation in vacant homes. Places bed bugs are found include hotels, hostels, used furniture and household products, universities, self-storage facilities, rental or moving trucks, movie theaters, and homeless shelters.

Controls Bed bugs are very difficult to control. Once these pests enter an occupied house, only the repeated applications of selective insecticides will remove them.This is best left to the professional exterminator. General sanitation will not eliminate bed bug infestations but will greatly help prevent their spreading.Sanitation measures include: washing all bed clothes in hot water and drying in a hot dryer cycle (sheets, pillow cases, blankets, mattress covers); washing floors and walls (paying particular attention to cracks and crevices); rough, thorough vacuuming of floors, mattresses and box springs (pay particular attention to seams and folds), infested furniture and pet bedding (after vacuuming throw away or thoroughly empty the cleaner bag). Special encasement covers can fully enclose the mattress and box spring preventing insects from getting into or out of the bed. Placing the legs of the bed in shallow cups of mineral oil will prevent the bed bugs from climbing up to you. Another method is wrapping the legs with two-inch-wide sticky tape with the sticky side out to snare any climbers. Pull the bed away from the walls to further restrict access. Steam clean carpets and rugs. Reduce clutter in home to eliminate hiding spaces. Items that cannot be laundered may be frozen for more than 72 hours or heated to 120 degrees F for one hour. There are no repellents effective against bed bugs and as far as attractants, we are the bait.

Pesticide Safety Tips. READ THE LABEL on each pesticide container before each use. Apply as directed. Heed all warnings and precautions. Store pesticides in their original labeled containers out of reach of children, irresponsible people and pets, preferable under lock and key. Dispose of empty containers safely. For up to date chemical insecticide recommendations, call the UConn Home and Garden Education Center at (877) 486-6271.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's Connecticut Coalition Against Bed Bugs page has many resources for homeowners.

Prevention Tips for Travelers Travelers can greatly reduce their risk of bringing bed bugs home by using several precautions. Inspect sleeping area of accommodations for any signs of bed bugs mentioned above. Choose hard sided luggage over soft. Put suitcases on luggage racks, not on the floor or bed. Do not place clothing in drawers. Hang items on shower rod instead of in closet, (Bring plastic hangers). Bring large plastic bags to bring clothing home. Once home, open the suitcases outdoors. Immediately wash all clothing in hot water. Dispose of empty bags in outdoor trash. Lightly spray luggage with pyrethrum-based insecticide. Read and follow label directions carefully whenever using pesticides.

Despite good cultural practices, pests and diseases at times may appear. Chemical control should be used only after all other methods have failed.

For pesticide information or other questions please call toll free: 877-486-6271.

References: Ridge, G.E. A Home Owners Guide to Human Bed Bugs http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/entomology/a_home_owners_guide_to_human_bed_bugs.pdf. Accessed on March 2, 2010. Jones, S.C. Bed Bugs http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2105.html . Accessed on March 2, 2010. Gauthier, N.L. 2004. Bed Bugs http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/bedbugs.htm Accessed on March 2, 2010. Rev. by the UConn Home and Garden Education Center, 2019. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Dean of the College, Cooperative Extension System, University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, Stop Code 9410, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964.

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Bed Bugs - ladybug.uconn.edu

Are There Bed Bugs in Connecticut?

A worldwide nuisance, bed bugs thrive in a variety of habitats, including Connecticut homes. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, with flat, chestnut-colored bodies. These pests live a little over a year and feed on human blood in order to grow. While they come out at night to bite residents, the bed bug typically hides in walls, bed frames, and mattresses during the day. As they can enter houses in a variety of ways and are hard to track down indoors, the pests can be a real problem for homeowners.

Since bed bugs feed on blood, the number one problem they cause is skin irritation. Aside from minor discomfort, bites may also lead to severe allergic reactions. When infestations are large enough, feedings can result in mild anemia in some people. In addition, simply knowing that bed bugs are hiding somewhere in the mattress creates stress for Connecticut homeowners, which can lead to anxiety and restlessness.

The most obvious sign of bed bug infestations is the small, itchy bite marks found in rows on the skin. Other indications include brown fecal spots or blood stains on sheets and a musty odor. Though bed bugs are not a result of dirty conditions, general sanitation may keep the pests from spreading. Washing bedding and vacuuming reduces their numbers, but it wont eradicate them. In order to properly eliminate bed bugs from Connecticut homes, contact the licensed specialists at Western Pest.

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Bed Bugs in CT: Info on Connecticut Bed Bug Control

How To Identify Bed Bugs

Adult bed bugs are light brown to reddish-brown, flattened, oval-shaped and have no hind wings. The front wings are vestigial and reduced to pad-like structures. Bed bugs have segmented abdomens with microscopic hairs that give them a banded appearance. Adults grow to 45 mm in length and 1.53 mm wide.

Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in color and become browner as they molt and reach maturity. A bed bug of any age that has just consumed a blood meal will appear to have a bright red translucent abdomen; this color will fade to brown over the next several hours and within two days will become opaque and black as the insect digests its meal. Bed bugs may be mistaken for other insects, such as booklice, small cockroaches, or carpet beetles, however when warm and active, their movements are more ant-like, and they emit a characteristically disagreeable odor when crushed.

Bed bugs are elusive and usually nocturnal (peak activity usually occurs around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m.), which can make noticing them difficult. They often lodge in dark crevices, and the tiny adhesive eggs can be nestled by the hundreds in fabric seams. Aside from bite symptoms, signs include fecal spots (small dark sand-like droppings that occur in patches around and especially beneath nests), blood smears on sheets (fecal spots that are re-wetted will smear like fresh blood), and the presence of their empty molted exoskeletons. Bed bugs can be detected by their characteristic smell of rotting raspberries.

If you suspect you have a bed bug problem in Connecticut, it is best to call a bed bug exterminator right away. Just as the old saying goes, you really dont want to let the bed bugs bite. Bed bug bites often appear as red and itchy bumps, typically in a line or small clusters. Some people even experience hives or blistering at the bite site. Bed bugs can also quickly spread to different rooms and even vehicles as they hitch a ride on a human host, clothing, or bedding.Fox Pest Control offers a powerful, customized Connecticut bed bug treatment that eliminates bed bugs where they live and breed. We work quickly and effectively with as little disruption as possible. A Fox technician performs an extensive inspection of your home, including beds, furniture and linens.Fox removes visible bed bugs and treats the area to eliminate any hidden bed bugs and their eggs. Fox backs the work with our Bed Bug Guarantee. Call us today to schedule a bed bug Inspection in Connecticut!*A fee may apply for a bed bug inspection. Please call.

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When you call BedBug Chasers to solve your bed bug problems in Connecticut, you can be confident you made the right decision of available methods that kill bed bugs. BedBug Chasers heat treatment method is the best choice for your bed bug solution in CT because theres little preparation, no need to remove your clothes and personal belongings, your home will be treated in a single day, and at the end of the treatment, we at BedBug Chasers will provide you with a certified report showing what we encountered and the temperatures that were reached. The best part? Our treatment wont just be your bed bug solution in CT. Our bed bug heat treatment will also kill any other unwanted insects you may have in your home!

If youve discovered you have bed bug problems in CT or Westchester County NY, then you need to call Bed Bug Chasers for speedy, safe and efficient bed bug removal. Of course there are many methods out there that you may have already tried or were debating about trying, but unlike some other methods, Bed Bug Chasers CT Bed Bug Heat Treatment method wont cause mold, and doesnt require multiple treatments. One treatment means less costly as well! Remember, bed bugs reproduce rapidly, so once you discover you have bed bugs, its important to call Bed Bug Chasers to be your bed bug solution in CT!

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BedBug Chasers of Connecticut - Bed Bug Heat Treatment

So why not reach out to Bed Bug Finders LLCto have a bed bug dog inspect your home or business? Dont let the bed bugs bite; give us a call, or fill out this online formand ourbed bug detection company will be on our way. We do small and large project detection work, and you will get our Proven Results!

Did you know that a dog has a much better sense of smell than a human, and that dogs can be trained to sniff out bed bugs? Thats why it makes sense to have a bed bug dog to find bed bugs that may be lurking in your home or business. At our company, we have a New England and New York bed bug dog program, where one of our three IBBMA-certified dogs Bullet, Pasha or Ruby can show up at your home or business and find the pests. Our bed bug sniffing dogs have had to pass a slew of tough tests to get certified, so you can be assured that you are working with the best bed bug detection company around.

The way it works with our bed bug sniffing dogs is that each has an experienced bed bug inspector who works with them, and can understand what the dog is saying when finding the bugs. This way, we can quickly locate where your problem areas are when it comes to bed bugs detection, and help you get going with the bed bug controlprogram. Bed bug dogs have a 90% accuracy rate when it comes to finding the bed bug infestation! To put that in comparison, the human eye can only spot 25% of bed bugs!

The typical bed bugis the size of an apple seed, and they are known to burrow in hard-to-find places, and not just beds. This is why having one of our bed bug dogs Ruby, Pasha, or Bullet cannot just determine if you have the bugs, but where the pests are located in your home or business. Our dogs arent just bed bug sniffing dogs they are bed bug detectives whom have graduated from extensive academic training, are continually working on their job skills and all have medical insurance! Because of their keen sense of smell, and small frames, the canines can get into hard-to-reach places and find where the bugs are.

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Bed Bug Detection Dogs in CT | Bed Bug Finders LLC