Bed Bug Exterminator: A vital Florida investment
Down in Florida, there are more pests than you can shake a stick at. But one of the worst you can possibly find in your home is the Bed Bug. These tiny, gross parasites crawl all over you at night and drink your blood. Then they run under the bed and hide away for tomorrow night, ready to do it all over again. So let’s touch on the Florida bed bug and some signs that you may need a bed bug exterminator.
Why are bed bugs so bad in Florida?
Bed bugs are a uniquely rough problem in Florida. No one wants to get them, ever. Or even think that they may be in your house. However, the numbers tell a different story. One of out five American either have dealt with a bed bug issue in the past or know someone who has. And they can be found in all fifty states. However, down south we have it a little worse.
One of the reasons they’re so bad is the climate. Most pest insects die off in the winter when it gets below a certain temperature. Bed bugs that live in wall voids and uninsulated parts of the house would parish during these months up north. But now that Florida is hotter than ever, it never reaches temperatures low enough actually to kill the bed bugs. They love the warm Florida winters as much as we do.
Another reason is Florida’s tourism and shipping industries. It’s a simple fact that bugs can’t cross oceans or even large distances on foot. They have to hitchhike on humans and their belongings. And when you have a state with twenty two million residents and more than that visiting every year, you can see why the bed bug issue is so bad. Most hotels in the Orlando area can probably use the services of a Bed Bug Exterminator!
These insects are tough too. They can survive months without feeding, nearly freezing temperatures, and can pass through stitch holes in mattresses at a young enough age. That is to say that these are a nightmare for any Florida homeowner.
bed bug prevention tips
The number one tip I can give for bed bug prevention is simple. I’m a man from the South who doesn’t come from a wealthy family. So it’s pretty close to tradition to make sure that you at least check out roadside furniture. We’ve all seen the perfectly fine looking couch on the side of the road before at least once. But don’t pick it up! Sure it may seem like a waste, but more often than not it’s at the curb for a reason, and there’s more than a bit of risk that it may be infected with bed bugs!
The same goes for secondhand electronics and similar gadgets. I’m not saying to just pass those over as well, but at least crack them open and take a look inside. It’s very easy for bedbugs to nest in things like computer towers or game consoles; the heat won’t bother them much.
Tip number two is for people who travel a lot. If you don’t want a visit from the bed bug exterminator, invest in hard luggage. Cloth luggage may be cheaper, but it leaves plenty of surfaces for the bed bugs to grip on and follow you to your destination. Also, when you travel keep your clothes in air-tight plastic bags and examine them carefully before you unpack at home. Trapping the bugs in a bag before they reach you can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration.
And once again for the travelers, examine any room you stay in thoroughly. Check the bed, bedsheets, pillows, and mattress pad. After that look in the box spring and curtains. Look out for black, smear-like specs that are signs of bed bug feeding, especially any shells or insects themselves.
How do I kill bed bugs in my home?
Bed bugs are a very difficult infestation to deal with on your own. And chances are, you won’t be able to get rid of them completely as a layman. But there are a few steps you can take to reduce their numbers once they’re already inside. The first thing you should do is to clean. A cluttered home provides plenty of nesting and hiding areas for bed bugs. So get rid of things like cardboard boxes that are sitting around, old and unused furniture, and clean your clothes often. If you find sheets, clothes, or any washable materials with bed bugs in them throw them in the dryer for a cycle on high heat. That should kill the bugs trapped within and make the bed bug exterminator have an easier time.
Regular vacuuming will help as well. Vacuuming the rug and the bed can not only remove living bugs but any eggs or shells that they left behind to attract or make more bed bugs. And wash your sheets and bedding at least once a week.
If you find a nesting area that you can transport such as the above mentioned game console nest, put it in a sealed, air tight bag with a zipper. That way you can suffocate the bed bugs inside. If heat isn’t an issue, place the sealed bag in direct sunlight to heat the bugs to death similarly to the dryer. Unfortunately, this will likely not deal with the problem entirely but could reduce the number of bites you suffer.
Bed Bug Exterminator in Tampa
And as I mentioned above, bed bugs cannot be dealt with by vacuuming and cleaning alone. That will reduce the numbers, but you need help from someone who is certified and trained to deal with this issue. The bugs will move nests and are very hardy and hard to locate.
If you want to place your trust in a natural pest control company that has been serving the Tampa area for three decades, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-634-1313 or visit our website at insectfree.com for a free consultation today.
