Bed Bug Control

Checkmate Pest Management has a separate division dedicated soley to Bed Bug treatments committed to the proper eradication of bed bugs from all structures. Contact us today to learn about our 3-phase treatment program. 

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Bed Bug Facts

Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is the species most adapted to living with humans. To date, bed bugs have not been found to transmit any diseases to humans.

Adult Bed Bug

Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. The immatures (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color.

Newly hatched nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable conditions (70 - 90° F), the bugs can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more generations per year.
 
Bed bugs do not have nests, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining (shown in image below), which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, molted skins of maturing nymphs, and the bugs themselves.

How Bed Bugs Arise

The bugs are usually transported in or on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture, etc. Outbreaks can often be traced to international travel from countries where the bugs are common, such as Asia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, or Central/South America. This is a particular problem for hotels, motels, and apartments, where turnover of occupants is constant.

Bed bugs are small and agile, escaping detection after crawling into suitcases, boxes, and belongings.  Purchase or rental of secondhand mattresses, box springs, and furniture is another way that the bugs are transported into previously non-infested dwellings.

Once bed bugs are introduced they often spread room to room throughout a building. Cleanliness has little or nothing to do with bed bug infestations. The best way to solve a bed bug issue is to consult a Pest Management Professional with the proper knowledge.