Are Bed Bugs a Summer Pest Problem?

The number of bed bug bites among humans is rising yearly. Unfortunately, according to the National Pest Management Association, a portion of the rise in travel is to blame for the near doubling of bed bug infestations in the previous five years. Known for being challenging to keep out of your home, bed bugs are masters at hitchhiking.

Here are some expert recommendations for managing them during the summer.

Bed bugs are most likely to be a problem in warmer months.

There is less activity and fewer places to hide in cooler weather, so they are less active. Warm environments with a high density of blood-rich hosts like people or animals are preferred (like cats). Suppose you have pets or other animals who spend time outside in your home. In that case, they will be more active during warmer months and may even flourish indoors in winter.

Hotels, apartments, and dorm rooms can all have bed insect infestations. These structures frequently lack adequate sanitary controls, including heaters or air conditioners that maintain constant temperatures throughout a building’s interior space.

How dangerous are bed bugs?

Blood from both humans and animals is what bed bugs, which are tiny bloodsuckers, eat. As a result, certain people, notably kids and those with asthma, might induce severe allergic reactions. In addition, the presence of bed bugs may exacerbate whatever allergies you already have. In some instances, bed bugs can also result in skin rashes.

Most of the time, bed bugs pose no threat to people. Nevertheless, infected with bacteria or viruses can bite and spread diseases like Lyme disease, chikungunya, or Eastern equine encephalitis. Although uncommon in the United States, these illnesses can be fatal without prompt medical attention. In addition, bed bugs can also contain parasites that, if exposed to without the correct care or treatment, can make you ill in addition to these ailments.

Which Bed Bug Treatments Are Effective?

Here are a few different bed bug removal options to eliminate them:

1. Professional extermination

Hiring a professional pest control company is often the most effective way to eliminate bed bugs. They have the expertise, experience, and specialized equipment to identify and treat bed bug infestations. Professional extermination methods may include chemical treatments, heat treatments, or a combination of both.

2. Chemical treatments

Insecticides are commonly used to treat bed bugs. There are two main types: residual insecticides, which are applied to surfaces and provide long-term control, and contact insecticides, which kill bed bugs on contact. It is essential to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer or a professional to ensure these chemicals’ safe and effective use.

3. Heat treatments

Bed bugs are susceptible to high temperatures. Bed bug heat treatment in San Jose involves using specialized equipment to raise the temperature in infested areas to a level lethal to bed bugs, typically around 120 to 140°F (49 to 60°C). Heat treatments can kill bed bugs and their eggs but require proper equipment and expertise to ensure all areas are adequately heated.

What To Do After Bed Bug Treatment

After treatment, you should follow these precautions: 

1. Check your surroundings for signs of re-infestation. 

Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding so they may be back.

2. Check your bed and other spaces where you sleep. 

If you have a mattress or box spring, check it for blood spots. If you discover any pests, contact your landlord or a pest control company to arrange a professional service. 

3. Wash Clothing.

Wash all clothing and linens from infested areas in hot water (120 degrees or higher) for at least 20 minutes or until water runs clear; dry in a hot dryer for at least one hour.

4. Change Sheets.

Change the sheets on all beds in the room once every week for the first month after treatment. After that time frame, change them monthly until cured!

5. The telltale signs of bed bugs.

There are some indications to watch out for if you have bed bugs in your home. Bed bug bites are the most glaring indication of an infestation, although this is not always true. Signs may include:

• Reddish-brown patches that are little and quite itchy.
• Feces stains on bed linens have a dark brown color.
• Mattresses or furniture may have a few tiny dark patches.
• The mattress bears a few little blood stains.
• Over time, a few light stains close to the baseboards or the corners of the wallpaper became darker.
• Ceilings or walls with tiny dark streaks.

Advice for summertime travel

The most excellent time to schedule a vacation is in the summer when outdoor activities are most popular. However, as one of the most prevalent pests you will encounter while traveling, bed bugs may also be a problem throughout the summer.

Here are a few things to consider before booking your trip if you plan to vacation this summer. You can protect yourself and your family against bed bugs by following these tips:

1. Employ a bed bug detection kit.

Before you enter your room, bed bug detection kits will let you know if any pests exist. They are inexpensive and straightforward to use. They are available online at sites like Amazon, Walmart, and most big box stores.

2. Before checking in, inspect your hotel room.

Leave your belongings at home where they may be kept safe until you arrive instead of taking them with you on your trip (and clean out drawers). Also, ascertain that your hotel’s bed bug treatment procedures are current.

3. Check the linens and bedding you have.

Check your surroundings for bed bug indications such as little blood stains or chewed-up cloth.

4. Observe your bags.

Check any clothing store for a while and any luggage you have just bought from an online shop or flea market vendor. Bedbugs are most likely to infest goods used for several days or longer.

5. Check your clothing.

It is improbable that someone would bring their dirty clothing home from work and leave it on the floor overnight or all day. However, inspecting anything that might have been worn during those times (such as shirts), especially if they are light colors (which show up more quickly on darker fabrics), is still a good idea.

Go for Professional Treatment.

Although bed bug populations are growing, there is no cause for concern. Yet it is still a good idea to be aware of potential summertime challenges and how to prepare for them. Contact pest control for bed bugs in San Jose, CA, immediately if you see any symptoms in your house this summer. The only natural means to guarantee they are permanently gone are professional treatments.