You may be feeling lonely because you don’t have a large party planned for Christmas or New Year, but no one is lonely enough to wish for bed bugs. These persistent pests will totally consume your holidays and turn your home into a frustrating, itchy mess. If you think you’ve seen signs of bed bugs but are unconcerned because you’ve heard they have an aversion to cold weather, think again! Winter is a strange time for bed bugs. These tiny, biting insects do not hibernate the same way many other animals hibernate. In colder temperatures, bed bugs enter a state called diapause, which is where many of the problems begin for homeowners.

What is Bed Bug Diapause?

Bed bugs are terribly resilient creatures. Though they prefer temperatures ranging from 70-80 degrees, adult bed bugs can survive temperatures as low as 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit for several days. This feat is through a hibernation mechanism called diapause.

Temperatures lower than 60 degrees can impact the patterns of bed bug activity, which is when some bedbugs are known to enter diapause. This is a state of self-hibernation that slows down the insect’s metabolism and causes them to go dormant. During diapause, an adult bed bug can survive for months without feeding. When the temperatures rise, and the bed bugs feel cozy again, they will leave their state of hibernation and resume their regular life cycle. This means that you may not know you have bed bugs until months after they’ve made a home in your mattress!

Signs of Bed Bugs: The Importance of Immediate Bed Bug Control

DIAL ONE Pest Control encourages homeowners to act quickly if they notice any signs of bed bugs. It is important to note that bed bugs follow their host. So, if you or your family noticed signs of bed bugs, it is likely they have already followed you to warmer, densely populated areas, such as your office or living room. The following are common signs you may have a bed bug problem!

·       Bed Bug Bites. Most people find out they have bed bugs after finding physical bites on their bodies. Parts of the body that are not covered in clothes or blankets are the easiest target. People often discover bites on their shoulders, neck, arms, bottom of the legs, and even face. These bites are found in clusters and are itchy, red, and sometimes swollen.

·       Blood Stains. This one is gross but is a pretty good indicator that there’s something living in your bed that you need to be concerned about. If you notice blood stains on your pillowcases or sheets, conduct an immediate bed bug inspection.

·       Bed Bug Droppings. Chances are you haven’t been making any coffee in bed. If you find little droppings that look like coffee grounds near your mattress, they may be bed bug droppings. Check your sheets, pillowcases, nightstand, and mattress in your next bed bug search.

·       Bed Bug Body Bits. Bed bugs molt. Their life cycle has many steps, including laying lots of eggs and shedding their exoskeleton when they grow. Bed bug shells are a similar color and size to actual bed bugs, reddish-brown, oval, and around 4mm long.

Reasons to Avoid DIY Bed Bug Control

If you are still unsure if you have bed bugs, but want to start treating your home to be safe, call a professional! The DIAL ONE Franklynn Bed Bug experts will non-invasively evaluate your home and determine if you require bed bug control services. In the meantime, avoid using DIY bed bug control tips, because they will likely cost you unnecessary money and, most importantly, time. There are things you can do to help speed along the bed bug reduction process, but there is no better permanent solution than a professional extermination. And the time spent trying unsuccessful do-it-yourself methods only gives bed bugs more time to breed!

The following are tips for temporarily reducing the bed bug population while you wait for professional services:

·       Vacuum your rugs, furniture, bed frames, floors, and other surfaces to reduce the population.

·       Launder your infested bedding at the highest heat possible. This can cause damage to some fabrics, so make sure to check washing instructions.

·       Wrap your mattress in a bed bug encasement to prevent bed bugs from digging into other facets of your home.

Call DIAL ONE Franklynn Pest Control for Your Bed Bug Control in Metairie Needs!

DIAL ONE Franklynn Pest Control has seen every variety of bed bug infestation and has the tools and readiness to protect your home from an itchy invasion! If you suspect you may have bed bugs, contact DIAL ONE Franklynn to schedule your free estimate!