Don’t Let The Bedbugs Bite! Presented by: Advantage Pest Management

History of the Bedbug Originated from the Bat Bug Has been around for over 3,300 years In the 1950s, bedbugs were nearly eradicated – Product called DDT 1990s started to see a resurgence of bedbugs – Early 2000s, started to see a huge increase in infestations

What Do They Look Like? Adults – Dark brown in color, reddish- brown after a blood meal – About the size of an apple seed when engorged – Flat when they have not been fed Nymphs – Start out pale colored to nearly transparent – Gradually get darker through every instar stage Egg – Look similar to an uncooked piece of white rice – Can be difficult to see on a mattress

Bedbug Lifecycle Females can lay 1-5 eggs per day (avg. 540 eggs in a life time) – Eggs are typically laid in cracks and crevices and rough areas Box springs, mattress seams, headboards Nymphs take 21 days to reach adulthood after hatching They molt 5 times – Must have a blood meal in order to molt

Feeding Habits Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and heat Tend to feed on hosts at night due to being sedentary and exposed skin Will feed at any time of the day – Usually in heavy infestations Each feeding lasts from 5-10 minutes Insert two feeding tubes – One injects saliva that acts like an anesthesia and the other draws blood After feeding, they will hide for 5-10 days where they molt, mate and lay eggs

Detecting Bedbugs Early detection is key to preventing infestations Signs of bedbug activity: – Bites: small raised welts, everyone has a different reaction, typically in a row, one bug bites 2-3 times per feeding – Fecal: small dark spots typically found on box springs and mattresses – Shed skins: bedbug exoskeletons after molting, typically in cracks and crevices of box springs

What Do We Look For?

Treatment for Bedbugs Contact a pest management company immediately – DIY treatments usually fail and change the behavior of the bug, usually making them move to different areas of a room spreading the infestation Heat – Extensive process, heat unit to 120°F for several hours, costly, typically completed in one treatment Chemical – Multiple treatments used, prep work may be necessary, cost less than heat Cryonite – Newer treatment, non-toxic, freezes pesticide resistant bedbugs

Advantage Pest Management Treatment Procedure Low Prep / No Prep – Minimal prep work needed for treatments Population Reduction – Eliminate the visual verification of and bedbug Break the Lifecycle – Use steam to destroy eggs that may be hidden within the seams of the mattress and box spring Residual Insecticide – A combination of chemicals used to eliminate and new bugs or hidden bugs – Statically charged dust sticks to bedbugs passing by Follow-Up Treatments – All treatments come with 2 follow-ups Monitor – A variety of monitoring tools help ensure that your home is bedbug free

Preventing Infestations Do not take furniture from the roadside or trash Check hotel rooms on travel Wash and dry clothes immediately after travel Do routine checks while cleaning Keep homes free of clutter Apply mattress encasements In the event of finding a bedbug use 91% rubbing alcohol for a quick knock down and call a pest control company

Quick Bedbug Facts Scientific tests have shown that bedbugs DO NOT carry diseases Have an ability to travel undetected Bedbugs are found anywhere regardless of sanitary conditions Bedbugs can survive months without a blood meal Many people will not react to bedbug bites Bedbug infestations have jumped 500% over the past several years Bedbugs are methodical feeders. They have similar patterns, not all feed at the same time Bedbugs do not fly or jump, but are great climbers

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