About 20 years ago, bed bugs started showing up in New York City’s hotels. From there, it wasn’t long until they made their way into residences. When this happened, it became a significant pest-control problem for Big Apple residents. Once these bugs get into a home, they are extremely difficult to eliminate.
And bed bugs pose a unique problem for property owners in densely populated urban areas. Unlike cockroaches or ants, you may never actually see a bed bug. These reddish-brown insects are tiny, usually about the size of an apple seed. They have undeveloped wing pads, but they don’t fly. Rather, they hitch rides in luggage, bags, purses, and secondhand furniture and clothing. Bed bugs are also really good at playing hide and seek. During the day, bed bugs stay out of sight in places like:
- Mattresses
- Box springs
- Furniture
- Picture frames and wall clocks
- Carpeting and flooring
- Keyboards and electronics
- Electrical outlets
- Dirty laundry
Bed bugs are much more active at night when people are sleeping. That’s another reason they’re difficult to spot. While you may not actually see a bed bug, you may see signs of their activity.
THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE
Blood is the bed bug’s only food source. They find human hosts by seeking our body heat and the carbon dioxide that’s produced when we exhale. This usually happens at night when we’re sleeping. That’s why if you have a problem with bed bugs in New York City, you’ll likely wake up with bites.
The bites create a raised, red area on your skin. When the bug bites you, it injects an anticoagulant into your skin. This determines how much itching and irritation you will experience. For some people, the itching may not start for several days while others may not react at all!
FIVE SIGNS OF BED BUGS
Here are five signs to look out for to see if you have a bed bug infestation.
- Bed bug bites usually come in threes and form a straight line or zig-zag pattern.
- Reddish-brown blood stains on your sheets or mattresses
- Shed bed bug skins near your beds or walls
- Brown marks in the seams of your mattress are caused by the insects’ excrement
- An odor, usually described as musty-sweet
BED BUGS CAN BE FOUND ANYWHERE
An important thing to remember is that bed bugs can be found anywhere in your home. Since they prefer to bite us while we’re sleeping, most people think they’re only found in beds. But bed bugs aren’t particular. They’ll hang out anywhere they can get a meal, such as:
- Upholstered sofas and chairs
- Cardboard boxes,
- Shoes
- Stuffed animals
- Purses and backpacks
- Behind baseboards
- Under seats in cars, trains, planes, and buses
BED BUG PREVENTION
The best way to avoid a bed bug problem is prevention. Take these steps to keep bed bugs out of your home:
- Use a mattress cover and wash bedding weekly
- Wash new clothes immediately
- Vacuum regularly
- Avoid used mattresses, box springs, and furniture
- Look for signs of bed bugs before settling into hotel rooms
- Wash your clothes on the highest-heat setting after traveling
- Don’t set personal belongings on the floor in public spaces
PROFESSIONAL BED BUG TREATMENT IN NEW YORK
If you spot signs of bed bugs in your residence, contact a trained pest control professional immediately. At Broadway Pest Services, we have the expertise to eliminate the problem in your home or business. We offer several treatment options to give you peace of mind and a bed-bug-free home. Don’t hesitate to call us for professional bed bug treatment in the New York City area.