Moving into the winter in Florida is a blessing. The fall has been basically another summer. Even Halloween this year had felt like temperatures in the 90s! But even with that, some of the outdoor pests have been less painful. However, there is a certain class of pest in Florida that doesn’t really change despite the time of year, and that’s because they live inside. So today, we’re going to talk about Florida bed bug control. We’ll touch on what bed bugs are, where you get them, and what to do about it if you’re infested.
Florida Bed bug control: Overview
The common bed bug has been a pest for quite a large chunk of human history. The EPA and USDA consider bed bugs to be common health pests, and despite not being vectors for diseases can cause other public health issues. Knowing what a bed bug is and what it looks like is the first step in the identification and control of this pest, and correctly identifying one can save you thousands by letting you know you need help sooner rather than later. There are a few bugs that look similar, so make sure to double check. And if you’re not sure, catch one in a bag and contact a pest control specialist for help.
In general, though, look for some Florida bed bug control if you see something that matches their rough description. This pest is about the size of an apple seed, and about a quarter of an inch long as an adult. They have long, brown, and flat bodies that are shaped like ovals unless they’ve recently been fed. When full, they’re balloon-like in appearance, reddish brown, and larger than they’d be otherwise. Also known as a “true bug”, they have the common characteristics of one. This includes a beak with three segments, four part antenna, wings that can’t be used for flying, and short hairs on their body. But you can use your nose in the identification of this pest as well. Bed bugs, frankly, stink. They have a gland on the lower side of their body that releases a musty and sweetish odor. If you have a really bad infestation, this can permeate your home.
But keep in mind that younger bed bugs look slightly different. You’re going to have a hard time seeing them, however. That’s because nymphs are smaller and translucent or yellowish in color.
Florida BBd Bug life cycle
Bed bugs start off life as an egg. In fact, female bed bugs lay between one and five eggs every day. That’s right, every. Single. Day. Over their lifespan, one female can lay up to as many as five hundred eggs. Within two weeks, the eggs hatch, and the immature bed bugs seek out a blood meal immediately. The nymphs will go through five molting stages before reaching maturity and need a blood meal for each stage. At a decent temperature, nymphs become adults in about five weeks.
Once they reach adulthood, bed bugs eat about once a week. And their life span can commonly range from four to six months, but it’s not uncommon for bed bugs to live up to a year. And with the numbers, they’re capable of producing, and each one needing at least one feed a week, you can end up with hundreds of bites that you’ll be nursing.
Florida Bed Bug Control: Signs of Infestation
After reading how quickly they breed and how often they eat, you can probably guess that time is of the essence during a bed bug infestation. If you find it early, there’s a chance you can stop the infestation before it spreads too badly. Treating a minor infestation is much easier and cost-effective than treating the same infestation after it becomes widespread. But that is even more true for people who live in connected housing. Florida bed bugs have no issue moving through wall voids, areas between homes, and through wiring and pipe routes in your home.
Unfortunately, finding small infestations isn’t as easy as it sounds. Bed bug bites can look like bites from other insects such as mosquitoes. Some even look more like rashes or hives than bumps. Not to mention that some people don’t react to bed bug bites at all and may not even know they’re being fed on! Instead, try to look for physical signs of bed bugs. When you clean or change your sheets, look for rusty stains on bed sheets or mattresses that can be caused by bed bugs being crushed.
Also, dark spites about the size of a period on your screen may be bed bug excrement. Their poop bleeds onto the fabric like a magic marker would. Eggs and eggshells are another good sign you may need some Florida bed bug control as well. And, obviously, live bed bugs are the number one sign that they’ve made it inside your home.
When they’re not feeding, bed bugs hide in many places around your home. If you suspect you have an infestation, look in places that are small and hard to get into. Bed bugs can make spaces that are very small into a well infested home for their colony.
Florida bed bug control: Steps to take after an infestation
Unfortunately, if you have an infestation of bed bugs, you’re going to have to contact a professional company. These aren’t a pest that goes away with increased cleanliness, and they are experts at hiding.
Obviously, there are a few things you can do, such as sealing hiding areas and removing infested items. Also, consider using a plastic cover on your couch for the time being. Vacuum regularly, and dispose of the contents in a trash can that you take outside immediately. And any infested furniture, dispose of properly so you don’t leave someone else at risk of an infestation. It only takes a handful of eggs or one fertilized adult female for an entire infestation to blossom, and the cycle will start all over again.
If you suspect you have an infestation, feel free to contact us at 1-800-634-1313 or online at insectfree.com!
