How Fast Do Bed Bugs Spread in Homes?

How fast will bed bugs spread through your home or office?

Experts in residential pest control and commercial pest control are always asked a myriad of questions regarding insects that tend to invade homes and businesses. People often want to know how to avoid infestation, how to spot the signs, and how to prevent future problems.

How fast do bed bugs spread? How do these nasty critters enter your home? How do you get rid of them? These common questions come up all the time, so we thought it’d be a good idea to take a look at these three typical inquiries along with a few others.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Inside Your Home?

In order for a bed bug to journey through its life cycle, it must feed on blood. These insects are quite small and can hide in folds of clothing, inside luggage, within the seats of an automobile, and even on our pets. In some cases, bed bugs will make their way to your home from a neighboring house, but they typically prefer hitching a ride and then getting off at the next stop.

Where Can You Usually Find Bed Bugs?

Given their name, many homeowners are under the false impression that these disgusting insects are limited to being found inside your bed. Although this is their preferred location since it gives them easy access to their nightly snacks (that would be you, in case you’ve forgotten), they can often be found inside your couch or sofa, recliner, desk chair, walls, and even electrical outlets.

How Fast Do Bed Bugs Spread Inside?

The reason why bed bug control can be difficult and must always be performed by a professional is because of the speed in which a bed bug infestation can occur. A female bed bug will lay between one and give eggs each day, with an average of 200-250 eggs in their lifetime. Once they’ve hatched, bed bugs can reach full maturity within 4-6 weeks. In just a single year, you could experience as many as three full generations of these nasty insects.

Can You See Bed Bugs with the Naked Eye?

Homeowners often realize they have an insect infestation because they see the bugs running around. Perhaps a cockroach skitters across the kitchen floor or ants form a line down the wall and into the trash. Bed bugs, however, are a bit more difficult to spot. That’s because even when they they’ve gone through multiple life cycle; the resulting adults are only the size of an apple seed. Young bed bugs can’t be seen by the naked eye unless they’ve recently eaten.

What Are the Most Common Signs of Bed Bugs?

Since it’s difficult to see a bed bug even in its adult state, how will you know that your home has them in the first place? The first sign that most people notice will be itchy, red spots on their skin, often on their arms, legs, and stomach. You may also discover red or rust-colored stains on your sheets or mattress, which are bed bugs that have been crushed. Like all insects, bed bugs defecate, appearing as blurry, dark dots.

How Do You Get Rid of a Bed Bug Infestation?

Although chemicals have been used in the past, bed bugs have a knack for hiding in tiny areas and surviving traditional extermination. Instead of chemicals, you should always choose a professional exterminator that uses bed bug heat treatment in Clearwater. With this organic pest control method, the temperature of your home is raised to a level that will kill every bed bug and every egg, no matter where they’re located.

ProHealth Pest Control Will Help Eliminate a Bed Bug Infestation

If you witness any signs of these blood-sucking insects, then it’s time to for immediate bed bug control in Clearwater. As experts in residential and commercial pest control services in Clearwater and beyond, ProHealth Pest Control will utilize effective, organic methods to eliminate your most bothersome creatures. Contact us through by calling (727) 310-0521 for a free evaluation.