Are Bed Bugs Active in Tallahassee?

Bed bugs can be a severe problem in Tallahassee. If you’ve ever experienced a bed bug infestation in your home or business, you know how impactful and upsetting it can be. During this time, bed bugs are the last thing you’d want to deal with. Many people wonder, “How do you get bed bugs?” and “How do I get rid of bed bugs?” The bed bug professionals at Capelouto are here to offer you valuable information about bed bug infestations and how they can impact residents in Tallahassee.

Are bed bugs more common in the spring?

Bed bugs can be found at all times of the year, and spring is no exception. Rather than seasonal weather, human travel influences the likelihood of a bed bug infestation. If you are traveling more frequently in the spring, you will increase the chances of a bed bug infestation in your home. However, bed bugs can enter your home at any time, not just the spring! Bed bugs don’t live outside in nature and are not attracted to dirty conditions. They are looking for a host to feed off. Unfortunately, that means you.

Does the weather affect bed bug activity?

If you live in Florida, bed bugs can be a serious problem you’re not prepared to deal with. Because they thrive indoors in climate-controlled environments, bed bugs that are brought into your Tallahassee home can reproduce once they find a host. As scary as it might sound, it’s the ugly truth that humans are the perfect host for these blood-hungry insects. Remember, infestations happen when bed bugs stow away in luggage, second hand couches and furniture, and wicker chairs, for example. Vacationing and shopping can bring bed bugs into your home no matter what season.

How Do Bed Bugs Enter My Home?

So how do you get bed bugs, and what makes some homes more at risk than others? Bed bugs are attracted to warm blood and not dirty conditions or other variables.

Any home or business can become infested with bed bugs if the right conditions are present. These creatures find their way into your building by hitching a ride on:

• Suite cases and luggage
• Secondhand or thrift store items
• Wicker furniture

Bed bugs also travel between units. If you live in an apartment complex, bed bug infestations can spread from attached or adjacent spaces. Your neighbor’s bed bug problem can become yours, even without bringing infested items into your home.

Steps for Preventing Bed Bugs

Avoiding bed bugs can be a tricky thing to accomplish because these opportunistic pests will hide whenever possible, and reproduce quickly. Familiarizing yourself with the signs of bed bugs is the first step to preventing them from infesting your home.

Bed bugs leave behind exoskeletons as they progress through their lifecycle from nymph to adult, that you may find if there is an infestation in your home. With a close food source, bed bugs are able to grow and reproduce. They prefer hiding in items like bed frames and fabric furniture because that’s where humans rest for extended periods of time. It’s much easier for bed bugs to feed off of humans when they are staying still. Bed bugs like to live in tight spots that are out of sight, like around box springs, mattress piping, and bed frames where they can feed off humans while they sleep. Evidence of bed bug bites on humans appear like raised welts and red bites in lines. You may also find a localized rash around each bite, and an itching or burning feeling in that area as well. It’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between mosquito bites and bed bug bites, so it’s always best to call Capelouto if you suspect that you have bed bug bite marks on your body.

It’s a good idea to inspect your bed if you suspect bed bugs, and you can also protect your mattress by using a bed-bug-proof mattress cover to eliminate any bed bugs that you find until you can reach us at Capelouto Termite & Pest Control.

Another way to prevent bed bugs is to use interceptors that are cup-shaped and fit under each foot of your bed frame. These specialized cups keep bed bugs from being able to climb up the legs of your bed frame and onto your mattress.

Another simple prevention method is to avoid buying second-hand furniture, mattresses, sheets, and other bedding and cloth items. It’s also important to take care of your personal items when traveling. Put your suitcase in the bathtub or on the luggage rack provided in most hotel rooms instead of on the floor, furniture, or bed where it’s easier for bed bugs to hitch a ride. When you get back home, put all of your clothing in the drying on the highest heat cycle to kill any bed bugs that may be present.

If you suspect that you have bed bugs, don’t throw out your bed or sheets. By moving infested items, you will most likely spread the infestation into different rooms of your home, making it more difficult to fully exterminate. Call the bed bug specialists at Capelouto Termite and Pest Control to schedule an on-site inspection. From there, we’ll put together a customized plan to eliminate the active bed bug issue. Give us a call or fill out the form on this page to get started today!