If you have discovered a bed bug infestation in your Cincinnati home, you are not alone. Cincinnati is near the top of the list for the number of bed bug infestations. Knowing that many of your neighbors have also dealt with these pests may be comforting but it doesn’t change the fact that you need to find a way to get rid of the bed bugs. There are a number of treatment options available for eradicating bed bugs. Some homeowners choose to go with do-it-yourself options while others seek out professional help.

DIY options

A quick search online or a visit to you a big box hardware store will provide you with a number of choices for DIY bed bug treatment. There are a variety of insecticide options with various application methods. You can find foggers that release a cloud of insecticide into the room as well as sprays that you apply directly to the infested areas. In addition, there are bed bug traps and bed bug egg killers advertised for DIYers. You can even purchase a kit that contains a variety of treatment options designed to kill currents bugs and prevent future infestations. Any of these options have the potential to kill bed bugs when they come in contact with one another. The problem that many homeowners run into is the fact that bed bugs are experts at hiding and often avoid exposure to these DIY treatments.

Professional options

A pest control professional can offer a number of treatment options to help you get rid of the bed bugs in your home. Bed bugs do not like high heat and can be killed off with specially designed heaters. These heaters can be effective but do come with a set of potential problems. The high level of heat can negatively impact common household items by melting them, scorching them, or damaging internal components. If you choose this option you need to be diligent about removing or protecting any item that may be sensitive to heat. Another treatment option available through a professional is insecticide. Some of the insecticides offered by professionals contain similar ingredients to the ones you can find on the hardware store shelf. The big difference is that a pest control professional is trained in the proper use and application of those insecticides. Applying the insecticides in the right areas and in the correct manner can make the difference between completely or partially eradicating and infestation.

When it comes to getting rid of bed bugs, bringing in a professional is always the best choice. These pests are difficult to eradicate. You need help from someone who has the training to spot evidence of bed bugs and the tools to properly apply the chosen treatment. Another important reason to use a professional for bed bug eradication is for the guarantee. A top notch pest control company will provide a guarantee with their work which means you can rest assured that they will get rid of the bed bugs in your home.

No one wants to deal with a bed bug problem. But, if you have a bed bug infestation you understand that not dealing with it is not an option. As you make plans to eradicate your home of bed bugs it is a good idea to figure out why you developed the issue in the first place. This knowledge can help you prevent future infestations. Listed below are five of the most common reasons you have bed bugs.

You did not completely eradicate a previous infestation.

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate once they have set up residence in your home. They are small and excellent at hiding which makes it difficult to know for sure if you completely eradicated an infestation. Many homeowners attempt to get rid of bed bugs through DIY methods like bug bombs and spot treatment. These methods will kill the bed bugs but only those that come in contact with the poison. The fact that bed bugs are small and good at hiding means that they often get into areas that are difficult to reach with these DIY methods. If you had a bed bug infestation in the past and have discovered another one it is highly likely that it is a result of failing to fully eradicate the previous infestation. Your best option for getting rid of bed bugs is to bring in a professional with the tools, knowledge, and experience necessary for the job.

You brought bed bug infested items into your home.

Mattresses are not the only thing that can become infested with bed bugs. Upholstered chairs, couches, other bedroom furniture, and even clothing can bring bed bugs into your home. Shopping for these types of items second hand puts you at risk for bringing in these pests. If you have developed a bed bug problem recently then take stock of the used items you have brought into your house. That chair you want to re-cover could be the source of your current woes. You can minimize your chances of bringing bed bugs in this way by carefully examining each item for signs of pest activity before bringing it inside your home.

You stayed in a bed bug infested hotel.

Hotels are well known as a potential culprit for spreading bed bugs. If the person who stayed in the hotel room before you has a bed bug problem at home it puts you at risk for developing an infestation. These pests can travel on a variety of items from an infested home to the hotel. Do a visual inspection of the bed and surrounding areas in your hotel room to check for bed bugs.

You picked bed bugs up on a plane or bus ride.

Bed bugs are not only present inside of houses or bedrooms. They can travel on clothing, suitcases, and a variety of other items. As with a hotel, when you travel by plane or bus you share a space with a variety of people. If someone has a bed bug issue at home these pests can travel on their clothing or luggage and make their way to the seats of planes and buses. If you are unlucky enough to sit in one of those seats you may have an unwanted passenger accompany you home from your trip. Bed bugs do not like heat so drying your clothes on the hottest setting possible immediately upon arriving home can kill off any pests traveling with you.

Your neighbors have bed bugs.

In certain living arrangements bed bugs can spread quickly from home to home. If you live in an apartment complex, duplex, or condo then you may have bed bugs because your neighbor has them. The close proximity of this type of living arrangement makes it easy for bed bugs to spread between units. If you live in one of these housing arrangements and have bed bugs let your neighbors know so everyone can be proactive in prevention and treatment.

Whatever the reason for your bed bug infestation the end result is the same-you have bed bugs! Immediate action is important to prevent the infestation from spreading to others and increasing in severity. Bring in a top notch exterminator from the beginning to effectively eradicate these pests from your bed and your home.

The thought of having bed bugs can send homeowners into panic. These tiny pests cause itchy bites and are notorious for being difficult to eradicate. If you suspect bed bugs in your home there are a couple of things you can do to confirm your suspicions. Start with a visual inspection for these pests in your bed and surrounding areas. Bed bugs can be difficult to spot so it is also helpful to know how to recognize other signs of activity. If you determine that you do have bed bugs then the next step is to bring in professional help.

Do a visual inspection

Bed bugs are great at hiding but it is possible to find them if you know where to look. Start with the edges of your mattress. Pull back the sheet and look closely at the crevices and seams around the perimeter of your mattress. Pay close attention to the perimeter because many types of mattresses
have edging that provides ample space for bed bugs to hide. Then, move inward and check the other crevices and tufting of the mattress. The design of your mattress will impact how you execute a visual bed bug inspection. Once you have inspected your mattress it is time to move on to the surrounding areas. Bed bugs have been known to hang out on bed frames, night stands, inside wall sockets, and anywhere else where they can get consistent access to their favorite meal. Keep in mind that these pests are small and do not like to be out in the open. They will try to hide so you must be meticulous as you do a visual inspection to ensure that you do not overlook their presence.

Recognize other signs of activity

It can be difficult to spot bed bugs especially to the untrained eye. If you do a visual inspection and come up with nothing then it may be a sign that you do not have bed bugs. Or, it could simply mean that the bed bugs were doing a good job staying hidden during the search. In order to minimize the likelihood of this happening you need to learn how to recognize the other signs of bed bug activity. One of the most common ways that homeowners discover a bed bug problem is from getting bitten. Bed bug bites are typically small and red and show up in groupings . Oftentimes they become very itchy and bothersome. The bites do not always show up immediately which can make it difficult to determine if they are from bed bugs or some other type of pest. Another potential sign of bed bug activity is blood spots on your bedding. You will not feel a bed bug bite when it occurs but you may bleed a little and that blood can get on your bedding. These will be very small dots of blood so they may not be visible if you have dark sheets. If you suspect bed bug activity you can change your dark sheets for lighter ones and keep an eye out for small dots of blood. These signs of bed bug activity can help you determine if you have bed bugs even if you were unable to find any during a visual inspection.

Bring in professional help

If you determine that you have bed bugs the next step is to bring in professional help. The success rate of homeowners treating bed bug issues on their own is very low. These pests are good at hiding and use that skill to avoid exposure to typical DIY treatment methods. A professional will have the training and experience to recognize the problem, identify the infested areas, and apply lethal treatment in areas where the bed bugs will be exposed.

A bed bug problem will not go away on its own. As soon as you determine that you have an infestation-or even suspect a problem-bring in professional help. Dealing with your bed bug issue quickly and professionally will allow you to rest easy in your bed once again.

Local news sources have reported extensively on the fact that Cincinnati has one of the highest bed bug infestation rates in the country. In 2017 our beloved city was number two on the list and thankfully dropped a few spots to number five on the list for 2018. The improvement is
welcomed but being on the list at all means that bed bugs are still a very real threat for the residents of Cincinnati. If you fear a potential bed bug infestation then it may be helpful to understand the treatment options that
are available for residents.

Heat

Bed bugs do not like high levels of heat. Because of this, there are treatment options available that involve the use of high-powered heaters throughout infected areas of your home. This method can be effective but can also pose a threat to certain materials that you may have in your home. Before you opt for this type of treatment, make sure that you remove anything that can potentially be melted or damaged by being exposed to such high heat.

Room defoggers

Room defoggers, or bug bombs, are a common DIY option for treating many types of pests. If you visit the local hardware store you will find a number of treatment options for bed bugs. Room defoggers have the ability to kill off the pests that come in contact with the airborne pesticide. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate partially because of their ability to get deep into the smallest of crevices. Homeowners often find it difficult to completely get rid of bed bugs with this method because some are so well hidden that they are never exposed to the pesticide released into the air.

Pyrethroid insecticides

Pyrethroid insecticides, when applied by a professional, are the most effective treatment option for bed bugs. This type of insecticide is part of a class of insecticides used by both consumers and professionals. You can find treatment options in this class that are effective for treating bed bugs. The key to getting the best results from this type of insecticide is to have a professional do the treatment. Eradicating bed bugs requires you to identify the problem areas and treat them directly. These frustrating pests are excellent at hiding and avoiding detection from the untrained eye. A professional will know where to look for bed bugs and how to identify signs of activity. Finding the areas where bed bugs are active will allow for direct treatment.

There are a number of ways that bed bugs can get into your home. You can take precautions to minimize your risk but it is possible for even the most proactive homeowners to develop a bed bug infestation. Understanding the bed bug treatment options available in Cincinnati will prepare you to make a quick and informed decision if you ever discover a problem.