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Bed Bugs

What Months are Bed Bugs Most Active?

Bed bugs are a common household pest that can survive in a wide range of temperatures and climates. They are active year around, but some months are considered a more active time of the year for bed bug activity. Pest professionals report higher demand for bed bug eradication during the warmer months from June to October. Some suggest this is because of higher temperatures and humidity during this time, but many believe it’s actually more likely because of the summer travel season.

How Do Bed Bugs Travel

Because they don’t have wings, bed bugs move by crawling from one object to another. They don’t transport directly from person to person, but can easily attach to clothing or luggage and be transported without notice. This is why bed bug activity peaks in the summer and fall. These seasons are times when people are traveling from place to place, moving into dorms and rubbing elbows with more people than usual.

Preventing a Bed Bug Infestation

If you have plans to travel or have guests coming into your home, it’s a good idea to take some precautions to prevent bed bugs from every entering your domain.

  • In hotels or rentals, keep luggage off of the bed. You may even consider putting it in the bathroom since bed bugs are less likely to live here. This will help prevent bed bugs from hitch-hiking back home with you.
  • Check the bedding at an overnight stay for any signs of bed bugs.
  • When purchasing furniture, especially second-hand, inspect all crevices and seams for any signs of bed bugs before bringing inside your home.
  • Check luggage and clothing before entering your home upon arrival from traveling.

These precautions can keep you alert and provide some peace of mind to keep these unwanted creatures at bay.

Signs to Look For

In order to prevent bed bugs from entering your home, it’s important to know the signs of an issue:

  • Live bugs in mattresses or other upholstered items
  • Blood stains on sheets or mattresses
  • Fecal remains in bedding
  • Skins that have been shed
  • Bites in a line or zig-zag pattern on skin that is exposed at night

If you notice any of these signs in a hotel or piece of furniture coming into your home, think again before moving forward. Remove your luggage immediately from the area and notify the hotel or rental management as soon as you suspect bugs could be present. If you are thinking of purchasing a piece of furniture, walk away. The savings of buying second-hand will quickly be lost if a battle with bed bugs ensues.

Protect Your Home Throughout the Year While bed bugs may spread more quickly in the summer months, pests can invade your home at anytime throughout the year. Trip Pest Control can offer protection from bed bugs and other pests with recurring pest control all throughout the year. By setting up scheduled visits, our professionals can identify potential problems early to avoid costly treatments down the road.

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Bed Bugs

Do K9 Dogs Really Detect Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs have become a growing issue in many houses, hotels, and businesses. Their bites can be itchy and annoying, not to mention embarrassing. As a result, many people are turning to K9 dogs as an effective form of detection and control for this pest problem. But do K9 dogs really detect bed bugs? This article will examine the effectiveness of using K9 dogs for bed bug detection and the advantages and disadvantages.

About K9 Dogs

K9 dogs, also known as canine detection dogs, have become a popular method of detecting bed bugs. These highly trained animals can use their sense of smell to locate the presence of bed bugs in various environments, including homes, hotels, and other commercial buildings. The question is, however, do K9 dogs really detect bed bugs?

The answer is yes, K9 dogs are highly effective at detecting bed bugs. Their sense of smell is approximately 1,000 times more sensitive than a human’s, allowing them to detect even the faintest odors. This makes them highly effective at detecting bed bugs, which can be challenging to locate due to their small size and tendency to hide in tight spaces.

Quick Detection

One of the key advantages of using K9 dogs for bed bug detection is their ability to quickly and accurately locate the presence of bed bugs. Unlike traditional detection methods, such as visual inspections and sticky traps, K9 dogs can quickly scan an entire room or building, providing a much more comprehensive assessment of the bed bug infestation. This can save time and money, as well as minimize the risk of a bed bug infestation spreading.

Early Dectection

K9 dogs are also able to detect bed bugs that are in the early stages of infestation. Bed bugs typically go through several life stages, including the egg, nymph, and adult stages. K9 dogs are able to detect all stages of the bed bug life cycle, including eggs and larvae, which are not visible to the human eye. This means that K9 dogs can detect bed bugs before an infestation becomes established, which can help minimize the damage caused by the bed bugs.

Another advantage of using K9 dogs for bed bug detection is their ability to detect bed bugs in various environments. Bed bugs can be found in a wide range of locations, including homes, hotels, and other commercial buildings. K9 dogs are able to detect bed bugs in any of these environments, making them a highly versatile tool for bed bug detection.

Limitations

  • Cost: Despite the many benefits of using K9 dogs for bed bug detection, there are also some limitations to this method. One of the main limitations is the cost of training and maintaining a K9 dog. K9 dogs require extensive training and ongoing care, which can be costly. Additionally, K9 dogs are not always available and may not be able to respond to every bed bug infestation.
  • Not Infallible: Another limitation of using K9 dogs for bed bug detection is that they are not always 100% accurate. While K9 dogs are highly effective at detecting bed bugs, they are not infallible. As a result, false positives and negatives can occur, leading to confusion and wasted time and resources.

In conclusion, K9 dogs can be a valuable tool in the fight against bed bug infestation. Their highly specialized sense of smell makes them superior to other methods, such as visual inspection and chemical detection. Despite the effectiveness of K9 dogs, it is still essential to use multiple strategies for dealing with a bed bug infestation. Early detection is key for preventing an infestation from becoming worse, so it is essential to take action quickly when there are signs of an infestation. Trio Pest Control offers K9 bed bug detection services so you can have peace of mind in your home again!

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Bed Bugs

Does Bed Bug Heat Treatment Work?

Once you see signs of bed bugs in your home or business, there is nothing you won’t do to get rid of them! One method of eliminating bed bugs is heat treatment, which involves using high temperatures to kill the bugs and their eggs. But does bed bug heat treatment work?

About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a pesky problem that has been around for thousands of years. These critters, which spread rapidly, can be found in homes, hotels, office buildings, and wherever people gather. These parasitic pests feed on human blood and can cause itchy welts on the skin after they bite. Unfortunately, infestations of bed bugs are challenging to detect because they hide during the day and come out at night to feed.

About Heat Treatment

The short answer is yes, bed bug heat treatment can be highly effective in eliminating infestations. This approach is often used as an alternative to chemical treatments, which can be toxic and have long-term effects on the environment. Heat treatment utilizes temperatures of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period to penetrate deep into materials such as furniture, mattresses, and carpets where the insects are hiding. The heat kills adult bed bugs and their eggs in just one session and is considered one of the most effective methods available.

It’s important to note that not all pest control companies offer heat treatment services. Therefore, before hiring a service provider, you should research how they will use this method to ensure that it works correctly with your property. Additionally, professionals specializing in this type of treatment will be equipped with specialized equipment, including gas or electric heating units, fans, temperature monitors, and protective gear for everyone involved in the process.

Advantages

The first advantage of heat treatment is its rapid action. Because heat can penetrate every crack and crevice with equal intensity, it typically quickly kills all bed bug stages, including eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. As a result, infestations can be eradicated more rapidly than with other methods, which may require multiple applications over an extended period of time. Additionally, because no residual chemicals are left behind after the heat treatment is complete, there is no risk of continuing exposure to hazardous pesticides or insecticides.

Limitations

However, heat treatment also has some limitations. 

  • High cost: Heat treatment can be expensive, especially if the infestation is widespread or the treatment needs to be repeated.
  • Property damage: High temperatures can damage or melt certain materials, such as plastic or synthetic fabrics, which could lead to additional expenses for repair or replacement.
  • Difficulty in reaching all bugs: Heat treatment may not reach all bed bugs, especially those in hard-to-get-to areas such as inside walls or electrical outlets.
  • Potential for fire hazards: Heat treatment can increase the risk of fire if proper safety precautions are not taken.
  • Requires specialized equipment: Heat treatment requires specialized equipment and trained professionals to perform the treatment.

In conclusion, bed bug heat treatment is typically an effective form of bed bug extermination. It is a non-toxic option that works in most cases and can be used in both residential and commercial settings. Trio Pest Control is a perfect pest control company to ask about heat treatment options. They have the expertise to ensure your home remains bed bug-free!

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Bed Bugs

Is Indianapolis the Worst City for Bed Bugs?

Recently, Orkin gave Indianapolis a title the city and its inhabitants certainly did not desire: to be in the Top Ten of Bed Bug Cities in the U.S. Sadly, Indianapolis has been climbing in the ranking for a few years now, and in 2023, they are now in slot #7. So what can Indianapolis residents do to move on down that bothersome list? This article will review facts about bed bugs and how to get rid of them.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs, the size of an apple seed, are small, reddish-brown wingless insects with a flattened shape that allows them to hide in small spaces. These critters feed on the blood of humans and animals, are usually active at night, and can be found in various environments, including homes, apartments, hotels, and other types of buildings. They have six legs and two antennae and are about 5 millimeters long.

Bed bugs are known for their ability to survive in many environments and for their ability to go long periods without feeding. They typically hide in the crevices of beds, mattresses, box springs, and other furniture and come out at night to feed. They are drawn to the warmth and carbon dioxide from sleeping humans and animals. Bed bugs’ bites can cause itching and inflammation and lead to secondary skin infections. They can also cause psychological distress and insomnia due to the fear of being bitten.

Preventing Bed Bugs

No one wants to deal with bed bugs in their home, which is why it’s essential to take the necessary steps to prevent them from ever entering your space. Unfortunately, bed bugs can be hard to detect and even harder to eliminate once they have taken root in your living environment, so prevention is critical. Thankfully, there are a few simple strategies that you can use to help stop bed bug infestations before they start.

  • Inspect second-hand furniture and clothing before bringing them into your home, as bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on these items.
  • Vacuum your home regularly, especially around the edges of rooms, where bed bugs often hide.
  • Use bedbug-proof mattresses and box spring encasements to make it more difficult for bed bugs to hide and breed.
  • Use a bed bug interceptor, a small device that you place under each leg of your bed frame, to trap any bed bugs trying to climb up or down your bed.
  • Vacuum frequently and check the crevices of couches and chairs for any sign of bug activity.
  • Do not bring home any used mattress, box spring, or furniture
  • It’s also important to be cautious when traveling and to inspect hotel rooms for bed bugs before unpacking. If you suspect you have bed bugs in your home, it’s best to contact a professional exterminator to safely and effectively eliminate the infestation.

Eliminating Bed Bugs

Eliminating bed bugs can be a difficult task, but several steps can be taken to get rid of them:

  • Clean and declutter the infested area. This includes vacuuming and steam cleaning all surfaces, as well as removing any clutter harboring the bugs.
  • Use pesticides specifically designed for bed bugs. These can be purchased at a hardware store or applied by a professional exterminator. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
  • Seal any cracks or crevices in the infested area to prevent the bugs from spreading.
  • Use bed bug-proof encasements on your mattress and box spring to trap any bugs that may be hiding inside.
  • If you cannot get rid of the bed bugs yourself, it is necessary to hire a professional exterminator.

In conclusion, evidence suggests that Indianapolis is not the worst city for bedbug infestations, but it suffers from a significant problem. The data points to the fact that the number of bed bug cases in Indianapolis has steadily increased. This should serve as a warning sign that more attention and resources should be devoted to prevention efforts and extermination services. Trio Pest Control is just the right company to help anyone in Indianapolis who is suffering from this problem.

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Bed Bugs

Who Is the Best Bed Bug Exterminator in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis is a city known for its great food, culture, and nightlife. But unfortunately, it’s also home to some unwanted guests – bed bugs. Bed bugs can be difficult and expensive to get rid of, so finding the best exterminator for the job is essential. This article will explore signs of bedbugs, how to prevent them, and how to know you have the best exterminator to help your home be bug-free!

Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult and disruptive pests. They can be tough to detect and eliminate, leaving many people helpless in the face of an infestation. But being aware of the signs of bed bugs is key to catching an issue early on and taking action.

  • Dark Spots: The first sign to look out for is small dark spots on mattresses, linens, walls, or other furniture. These spots are usually the result of bed bug droppings and could indicate a more significant problem. Also, bed bugs are often squashed at night, leaving blood spots on sheets or mattresses.
  • Sweet Musty Scent: Additionally, if you notice sweet, musty odors coming from your bedroom or other areas where you spend time, this could also signify an infestation present.
  • Visible Bugs: Look out for bed bugs themselves as well – they are visible to the naked eye and can range in size from 1 mm to 7 mm, depending on age.
  • Bite marks on the skin: Bed bugs typically bite at night, leaving small, red marks on the skin.
  • Shed exoskeletons: As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons, which can be found near where they hide.

Preventing Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are an unpleasant reality for many homeowners, but there are several steps you can take to prevent them from taking up residence in your home. The first step is to inspect any used furniture or mattresses before bringing them into your home, as bed bugs may already exist inside them. Next, have a professional pest control company inspect the items and treat them with special insecticides.

The next step is to reduce clutter in your home and keep it as clean as possible. Bed bugs love dark crevices and cracks where they can hide during the day, so eliminating these areas will help make your home less inviting to them. Vacuum carpets regularly, launder all clothing and bedding often on hot settings that kill eggs and adults, and use mattress covers that seal off any hiding spots for bed bugs.

How to Find the Best Bed Bug Exterminator

When it comes to creepy crawlies in your home, you want to ensure you are hiring the best! Here are some steps you can take to find an excellent bed bug exterminator:

  • Research different companies
    Look for local pest control companies that specialize in bed bug extermination. Check their websites, read customer reviews, and check their ratings with organizations like Better Business Bureau.
  • Get recommendations
  • Ask friends, family, or neighbors if they have had experience with bed bug exterminators and if they would recommend the company they used.
  • Ask for a detailed inspection
  • A reputable bed bug exterminator should thoroughly inspect your home before providing a quote. Ensure they check all your home’s areas, including furniture and bedding.
  • Get multiple quotes
  • Contact several exterminators to get quotes and compare their services and costs.
  • Check for certification
  • Look for exterminators certified by organizations such as the National Pest Management Association or the National Bed Bug Association.
  • Check if they use environmentally friendly methods
  • Some exterminators use pesticides that can harm your health and the environment. Instead, look for exterminators who use eco-friendly methods or integrated pest management.
  • Check for follow-up services
  • A good exterminator will not only eliminate bed bugs but also provide follow-up services to ensure that the bugs are completely eliminated.

In conclusion, finding the best bed bug exterminator in Indianapolis doesn’t have to be too tricky; just look for quality and experience. Fortunately, Trio Pest Control stands out above the rest. Their technicians are efficient and reliable when it comes to bed bug extermination. They also provide inspections and follow-up visits, helping customers ensure that their homes remain pest-free. With its excellent customer service, competitive prices, and comprehensive services, Trio Pest Control is the best option for bed bug extermination in Indianapolis.