The Easiest Way To Keep Bed Bugs Out Of Your Chicago Bedroom
Bed bug problems continue to rise in the windy city. As more Chicago residents contact us for bed bug control, we see a rising need for tips on how to keep bed bugs out. Join us today as we look at how to identify bed bugs and why bed bug identification is often difficult. We'll also look at how bed bugs impact health and hopefully quell some of the fears you may have about these disturbing insects.
We'll end by telling you two ways to get rid of bed bugs for good. The first will show how you can keep bed bugs from getting into your home. The second is how your Aerex Pest Control professional can work to keep your home free of bed bug infestations. If you need immediate assistance, remember that you can contact us at any time.
You don't need to read an article about bed bug control to deal with a bed bug problem; Aerex Pest Control offers advanced and professional pest control in Chicago. We know what is needed to stop these bugs.
Bed Bugs Can Be Hard To Identify
It is likely that you know what bed bugs look like because these insects have appeared on the news many times. You know that they look like apple seeds. They are seed-shaped, reddish-brown insects with six legs. You also know that they feed on blood and may appear bloated and more reddish after feeding. What you may not know is that they are most often white. Really? Yes. Really.
The bed bugs you're most likely to see are immature nymphs. A bed bug emerges from its egg as a tiny white insect—not a reddish-brown insect. In this stage of development, bed bugs are hungry for their first meal and may take risks adult bed bugs won't take. You may look down at your arm and find a bed bug feeding on your skin while watching television. When you do, you may not realize it is a bed bug. It is only 1mm long and easily dispatched with a swipe of your hand.
Another issue to consider is that a tiny bed bug feeding on your skin may be red. The abdomen of a bed bug is the largest body part by far. If the abdomen is filled with blood, the bed bug will look red, instead of white, so you may mistake a tiny red-colored bed bug for something else, like a clover mite, which is completely harmless.
The first step in keeping bed bugs out of your home is to learn how to identify them and to keep watch for bed bugs when you are away from home. These are hitchhiking bugs. They get into your stuff and ride home with you. When you see them and properly detect them, you can take steps to stop them in their tracks. We'll cover more about this later.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In Your Home For Good
Now we get to the meat and potatoes of our subject. Is there a way to get rid of bed bugs in your home for good? Yes, and no. Let's begin by considering some of the challenges.
- Do you currently have a bed bug infestation? If so, it is essential to get professional bed bug control in Chicago to arrest your infestation. If you don't, you may think you keep getting new bed bugs when you have actually never gotten rid of the old ones.
- Do you live in an apartment? If so, bed bugs may have come into your home from an adjacent apartment. When this occurs, bed bug infestations persist even when appropriate measures are used to address bed bugs.
- Do you have kids? When kids have sleepovers, they can bring bed bugs home with them. It is essential to teach your kids how to prevent bed bugs from doing this.
- Do you like to buy slightly used clothing, furniture, and electronics? You can get bed bugs when you buy these items. Bed bugs or bed bug eggs can move from one location to another when these items are moved.
- Do you have a family member in assisted living? Seniors tend to have a minor reaction to bed bug bites, and bed bugs can thrive in the rooms or housing units of seniors.
Once you evaluate the challenges, you need to consider what is needed to prevent and control bed bugs. How do you treat bed bugs? Your vacuum is your best tool. Keep it close at hand when you inspect tight spaces for bed bugs. When you see bed bugs, quickly suck them up. Combine this with preventative steps and you may get rid of bed bugs for good.
Here are our best suggestions:
- Always inspect used items for black or brown stains. The black stains are fecal marks. The brown stains are dried blood.
- Always inspect any room you stay in while away from home. Teach your kids to do this as well. Look for black and brown stains on bedding, linens, and furniture. Probe cracks and creases for shed skins, tiny white eggs, or the presence of bed bug nymphs.
- Protect laundry items while away from home. Bed bugs are strongly attracted to items that have touched the skin. A trash bag and a bread tie can keep bed bugs out of your laundry.
- Protect luggage and bags. Bed bugs can smell your stuff inside your bags. The scent draws them to your bags, and they get in through the tiniest of openings. You can protect your bags by storing them in plastic bags. You may also protect them by storing them high and using a luggage rack when opening bags.
- Always wash your laundry in hot, soapy water and put it through a dryer cycle when you get home. Soap dries bed bugs out, and heat eliminates bed bugs in all stages of development.
These and other all-natural methods have a big impact on bed bugs. You can keep these disturbing bugs at bay if you're diligent. Unfortunately, life gets busy, and who really wants to deal with inspecting for bed bugs while away from home? The good news is that you don't have to think about bed bugs to deal with them.
Hear From Our Happy Customers
At Aerex Pest Control, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our customers have to say about working with us.
-
"Knowledgeable and efficient service."Very knowledgeable and efficient service. Great on the phone and got someone out right away to spray for mosquitos and ticks. Would recommend to anyone wanting great service; this is the best company used in the Chicagoland area.- TRJ Fitness And Performance
-
"Professional and effective pest control."Aerex Pest Control has always been an excellent resource for our home pest control. They are professional and effective whether dealing with ants, bugs, spiders, or mice. Highly recommend them.- Mac Family
-
"Highly recommend Aerex."I always use Aerex when I have a pest control problem. They scheduled an appointment for the next day, identified the issue (I thought it was ants, but I was wrong), and immediately provided the solution. I would recommend Aerex to everyone with a pest issue.- J “Junior” Freedman
-
"Smart, thorough, and very nice."Aerex Pest Control has been our go-to for 25 years. The team is smart, thorough, and very nice. Highly recommend their services!- Barrie Earhart
-
"Personable and detail-oriented service."Aerex Pest Control provided exceptional service. They were on time, personable, and extremely detail-oriented. Noticed a water tank leak we hadn't seen. Their vigilance and professionalism are greatly appreciated. Highly recommend!- Barb Maloney
-
"Today’s service was great."Mark arrived early after calling to let me know we could start earlier if that worked with my schedule, it did. He was friendly and thorough.- Meredith C.
-
"Reliable, available, effective."Mike is very friendly, cooperative. He knows our house well as to where there are concerns for critter control. We are very happy with Aerex.- Judith N.
-
"Mike is the best."Mike showed up on time and was friendly with our crazy dogs and familiar with the house, even though he hasn’t been here in a while. Can’t ask for more for a semi-annual service and serviceman.- Cissy G.
Aerex's Tips & Tricks
Want all the latest news or updates? Browse through our blog to read our most recent posts and featured articles.
