Bed Bugs have developed a reputation for becoming one of the most feared pests. There is good reason for this. Truth is bed bug infestations have been discovered in the dirtiest of hotels, to the most well kept hotels, and living communities all over Houston, TX hotels!

It does not matter where you live or where you work because bed bug problems may arise. The main factor in determining their ability to thrive is their size. Bed bugs hide in the tiniest of cracks and crevices. Which can make Hotel rooms very popular for the bedbug!

They will hide in your electrical outlets, bed frames, mattress and box spring, on your curtains, behind the baseboards and anywhere else they can find to infest a room.

Bed bug control in the Greater Houston Area is common. And, when Houston hotel owners attempt to get rid of bed bugs on their own they find a bigger problem waiting for them. This is due to how bed bugs adapt to their environment and products used to kill them.

Bed bug control is best left up to a professional pest control company like CPL. We have offices in Mcallen and Houston.

How To Know If Your Hotel Needs Bed Bug Control

Unless you know where to look, bed bugs may be difficult to find in any room. Bed bug bites are often mistaken for other chiggers or mosquito bites. Some people show no reaction at all when bitten. However, if you know exactly where to search for them your odds will increase at discovering an infestation.

Areas to look for bed bugs:

• Headboards and footboards
• Tables, chairs, inside drawers, and underneath stands (feet and wheels of carts too)
• Ceiling near the wall joints
• Loose wallpaper
• Edges of your baseboards
• Mattress, bed frames, and boxspring seams
• Luggage creases and folds

How To Identify Bed Bugs

Adult bed bugs are about 5 millimeters in length. Adults will have a flat body that is reddish-brown color. Younger bed bugs will appear a pale white.

But, they will darken some after a blood meal to reddish-brown. The eggs will look like tiny grains of salt.

Young, bed bug eggs, and the adult bed bugs will nest in their own fecal matter, shed exoskeletons, and egg castings.

Evidence You Have A Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs are seemingly as smart as criminals – smart enough to hide from their victims but not smart enough to clean up their evidence. Look for these signs of having bed bugs:

1. Shed skins – typically found near the nesting site.
2. Fecal spots – typically found on sheets, pillow cases and walls near or at the nest site.
3. Blood stains – found typically on pillow cases and or bedding sheets.

Look at the sheets on your bed inspecting the seams of your mattress. Inspect the box spring checking for any signs of physical evidence. Fecal spots will not be red, instead, they are dark brown to black.

Bed Bug Facts

• Bed bugs are blood-feeding pests.
• They live, feed and breed where you sleep.
• This pest will live without food for 6 months.
• Bed bugs should be eliminated by Pest Control Professionals.

How Did We Get Bed Bugs?

Many hotel owners ask us how they became infested with bed bugs. The answer is easy because bed bugs are master hitchhikers.

Like ticks, they just end up on you at times. They will find their way in and infest homes, restaurants, five-star hotels, cabs, offices and airplanes.

Typically, like a virus, people just act as a transport for bed bugs.

Once you get home, they run away to hide until feeding time. This is at night when you are sleeping. Understand that bed bugs are not known for spreading any diseases.

Interesting bed bug fact: They are much faster than ticks.

While not posing any type of major health risk, bed bugs do leave behind itchy welts. Like mosquito bites, bed bug bites sometimes look similar. So, never feel humiliated if your home or office becomes infested. Likewise, one should never be offended by a friend or family member becoming infested with these little critters.

What Are Bed Bug Treatments Like For Hotels?

Bed bug treatments will most likely vary from one pest control company to the next. There are many ways to skin that proverbial cat. Some experts provide heat treatments while others us products like diatomaceous earth, an insecticide dust safe for the environment.

While we never recommended anyone try to get rid of bed bugs on their own there are a few steps you can take until professional help arrives.

If you find dark reddish brown to black spots on your bedding then wash them immediately. You should consider that bed bugs are present in your home.

Using high heat, wash all bedding sheets, pillow cases, comforters and blankets. Wash all items in hot water at a temperature of at least 120 degrees.

Bed bugs will not survive the high heat of a dryer cycle, so dry all linens after washing.

Pull Out Your Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum any adult or young bed bugs you can see with a crack and crevice tip. Use this tip on your mattress, run it along your bed frame, and any wooden slats you might have underneath the box spring if possible. Vacuum along the baseboards. Thoroughly vacuum all areas you have identified bed bugs.

These areas may also include dresser drawers, under area rugs, headboards, footboards and night stands. Pay close attention and get behind wall hangings.

Once finished, throw out your vacuum bag immediately. At this point give CPL a call to learn about the next steps in killing bed bugs.

How To Prevent Bed Bugs Or Eliminate Them Effectively?

Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of here in Conroe, TX!  Professionals struggle in some cases to eliminate larger infestations. Sometimes it may take more than one or two treatments to completely kill all of the infestations.

Bed bug control requires a strategic approach. If caught early enough you may have success with retail products preventing an infestation.

It’s important to contact a professional with CPL Pest Control. We can quickly inspect your home to determine if bed bugs are present and if so, provide you with the best treatment methods.

For questions, comments or concerns give CPL Pest Control a call now. Rio Grande Valley customers call 956-287-2118.  Houston area customers please call 281-683-6737 anytime 24/7