Bed Bugs

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small, blood-feeding insects that can infiltrate any of our Idaho homes or businesses. These tiny insects have adapted to living indoors because that is where their preferred hosts, people, sleep and spend a lot of time.

Bed bugs are small but can be seen with the human eye, and if you have a general idea of what they look like, you can identify a problem with these pests before they have the chance to take over your Boise home.

• Oval body (think apple seed)
• Reddish-brown color
• Six legs
• Wingless
• Short antennae
• Appearance is elongated and a deep purplish-red color after feeding

At the first sight of bed bugs, schedule a pest control service for your Boise home from Affinity Pest Control.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

The most significant danger of having bed bugs in your home is your mental well-being. Knowing you are sharing your home with insects that feed on your blood as you sleep is enough to give anyone insomnia.

Though bed bugs aren't currently known to transmit diseases to people through the feeding process, their bites can cause an uncomfortable, itchy rash. Scratching at their bites can lead to secondary infections.

Dealing with bed bugs is unpleasant and stressful. When you first notice them in your home, immediately reach out to us for help.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

There are many different ways that bed bugs can find a way into your home. Some of the most common are listed below.

• After spending time in any place with bed bugs, they'll crawl onto you or your belongings, like clothing, purses, luggage, or outerwear, and you could accidentally introduce them into your home.
• Bed bugs are also transported from structure to structure on furniture, electronics, and rugs.
• When visitors come into your home, they could unknowingly introduce bed bugs.
• In multi-unit buildings, bed bugs will crawl from unit to unit through vents, along pipes, and through wall voids.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal; however, these insects are adaptable, and if they are in a place where people don't sleep or if you work at night and sleep during the day, they can and will feed during the day.

Bed bugs live wherever people live or spend a lot of time. Some of the most common places to come into contact with them are hotels, airports, movie theaters, shopping centers, dormitories, offices, and hospitals.

After bed bugs are introduced to your home, they will find dark, small spaces to hide when they aren't feeding:

• Seams of mattresses or box springs
• Cracks in wooden furniture like headboards
• Behind wall hangings
• Within the cushions of upholstered furniture
• Behind wooden trim

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

Striving to be our best every day and be better than the day before, you can trust Affinity Pest Control with your pest control needs. With over 20 years in the pest control industry, we are committed to our customers and staying up-to-date with the latest technology and pest control methods in Boise.

The best way to eliminate bed bugs is to partner with a local professional. At Affinity Pest Control, we perform pest control that is not only effective but is responsible and eco-friendly. We know bed bugs, how to identify them, and how to remove them from Idaho homes and businesses. To learn the specifics of our bed bug control services, call Affinity Pest Control today! Protecting your home and family is our top priority!

How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?

The best way to prevent recurring problems with these biting pests is to partner with Affinity Pest Control and implement the following prevention tips:

• Stop bed bugs from easily hitchhiking their way into your home by either not purchasing secondhand items or thoroughly cleaning secondhand items before bringing them into your home.
• Doing things in your home like regular vacuuming, washing bedding, and washing outerwear can help eliminate stray bed bugs before they become a problem.
• Avoid coming into contact with bed bugs when traveling.
• Always inspect your hotel room for bed bugs before bringing your luggage inside.
• Keep your luggage up off the floor of your hotel room. 
• Store clothing within suitcases in plastic bags until you are ready to wear it.
• When in public places, keep your belongings up off the ground and away from other people's belongings. 
• When returning home from traveling, wash all clothing on a high heat cycle and clean out suitcases before storing them away.