If there is a potential for infestation, don’t you want a professional to follow up on the report of bed bugs to see if it was legitimate or a false alarm? You should probably check what local laws apply to your situation so you know what your legal obligations are wherever your apartment is. Also, from [...] → Read more
Archive for the ‘FAQs’ Category
FAQs January 12th, 2010
Should I inform my tenants that bed bugs have been reported on the premises?
FAQs, Myths January 12th, 2010
Do bed bugs feed on dead skin?
Not sure where this myth comes from but no, bed bugs do not feed on dead skin — they feed on blood. They are attracted to our heat and the CO2 that we breathe out. They hide in areas in and around the bed and come out just before dawn to feed. If we aren’t [...] → Read more
FAQs, Myths January 12th, 2010
I think I have bed bugs, do I have to throw out my mattress and box spring?
No you don’t. This is a common myth found in internet bed bug lore. Bed bugs can hide all over the place, not just in the bed. In general, if it is wooden, paper or fabric and has holes, seams, crevices or cracks — there is a chance they will harbor there and possibly lay eggs. [...] → Read more
FAQs January 12th, 2010
Can you get bed bug bites while you are awake?
Yes, bed bugs will bite when you are awake. It is probably not the norm as bed bugs typically feed in the early morning before dawn. Still, a lot depends on how long it’s been since they have fed. In the video below you can see bed bugs feeding on entomologist Lou Sorkin: Pretty gross if [...] → Read more
FAQs December 11th, 2009
What is the bed bug nymph size?
A bed bug is a nymph through 5 stages in the bed bug life cycle. So the size of the bed bug nymph depends on which stage the bed bug as it. Here is roughly how long the bed bug will be at each stage. 1st Nymphal Instar – 1.5 mm 2nd Nymphal Instar – 2 mm 3rd [...] → Read more
FAQs, Myths December 8th, 2009
Are bed bugs due to bad hygiene?
A bed bug will feed on anybody they can get to, regardless of the person’s hygiene habits. Bed bugs are not due to bad hygiene any more than mosquitoes are due to bad hygiene. Bed bugs are tied to the location and not the person. The next question you might ask is if bed bugs [...] → Read more
FAQs December 4th, 2009
Will bed bugs die in the freezer after two days?
To be on the safe side, you would have to keep the bed bugs at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 4 days. This applies to adults and nymphs. Bed bug eggs are more resistant to the cold and you would need to keep them at 0 degrees for almost two months. If your freezer [...] → Read more
FAQs December 3rd, 2009
How long does it take to show bed bug bite symptoms?
How long it takes to show bed bug bite symptoms generally depends on: How sensitive your body is to bed bug bites. How much a person has been bitten. For most people, bed bug bite symptoms show up in within 9 days. However, some people have severe reactions and the symptoms will show up almost immediately. Also, if [...] → Read more
FAQs November 24th, 2009
Does cold weather kill bed bugs?
While they are hearty creatures indeed, cold weather will kill bed bugs. Bed bugs die after four days at 0°F. In fact, going to an extreme temperature in either direction is a well-known way of killing bed bugs. That is why steamers are a good tool for bed bug extermination. Bed bugs are thought to [...] → Read more
FAQs September 9th, 2009
What is the typical bed bug size?
Bed bug size depends on the age of the bed bug. The bed bug life cycle consists of three main stages: egg, nymph and adult. Bed bug eggs are about 1mm long (about the size of a poppy seed) which makes them very difficult to see when they are single. They often occur in clusters though [...] → Read more