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All About Bed Bugs: Pest Library

February 7, 2022 by

Major Pest Control Pest Information Library. Helpful information on Bed Bugs in Canada And How To Control Bed Bugs.

Kill Bed Bugs. Get Rid Of Bed Bugs and Bed Bug Eggs. Best Edmonton Pest Control Company For Bed Bugs.

Bed Bugs – Description

Bed bugs (Cimex sp.) are common household pests in Canada and elsewhere. As parasitic insects, they must live near their hosts. Given humans are bed bugs’ hosts, bed bugs live in homes, hotels, and other structures humans are regularly found. Their needs are minimal, requiring only a safe area near their human hosts. Bed bugs quickly move to bite the exposed skin of sleeping humans and then return to their hideout following their blood meal. Despite their small size, bed bugs are able to travel greater than three meters from their hideout to take a blood meal but are more commonly found in closer proximity to their host, usually one to two meters. 

All About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are easily overlooked unless you have learned key features to identify them. Adults are 4 to 5 mm in length, are reddish brown in color, are oval-shaped with flattened bodies, and have two antennae and six legs. The abdomen of bed bugs is darker in color after a blood meal. Their flattened body allows them to hide in small places like bed frames, sofas, behind loose wallpaper, under carpets, in baseboards or cracks in floors, as well as behind picture frames and other areas that make them challenging to observe. Bed bugs hang out in close proximity to one another and a resulting large population will emit an unpleasant, sweet odor.  

Bed bugs are attracted to humans because of the carbon dioxide and warmth we produce. They especially infest multi-unit buildings, like hotels and apartments, which experience high turnover and where they are frequently introduced by luggage or used furniture. Bed bugs are hitchhikers that hide in people’s belongings, like purses, briefcases, and laptop bags; they don’t actually cling to people. Once hiding within belongings, they are easily introduced to homes, offices, hospitals, and other structures. Additionally, bed bugs can infest various modes of transportation. Unlike many other pests, proper hygiene does not prevent bed bug infestations.

To detect bed bug activity, observe bedding, mattresses, and box springs for living or dead insects, molted skins, and small reddish-black spots of fecal matter. Bed bugs also lay their eggs (which are 0.8 to 3 mm in size) in small cracks and crevices near where they feed. Frequently bed bug bites are not noticed or are misdiagnosed.

Bed bugs tend to stay in areas where they have become established, but they may also be spread as the result of several scenarios. Bed bugs may spread as the result of disturbance, such as from taking apart furniture or from incorrectly applied pesticides. When they experience a food shortage, bed bugs may migrate to neighboring rooms in search of suitable hosts. Likewise, a shortage of appropriate sheltering areas may result in bed bugs migrating to other rooms. Bed bugs can also be spread through many human activities, such as using the same vacuum cleaner in multiple rooms or by moving infested furniture within the home or passing it on to others.

Upon detection of bed bug activity, leave the room and do not disturb the contents any further. Make sure not to take any items out of the infested room as that may contribute to allowing the bed bugs to spread further. Immediately contact a trusted professional pest control company, like Major Pest Control. The pest control company will inspect the premises and advise on pre-treatment procedures. 

Bed bug infestations require the services of a professional pest control company because their life cycle makes them extremely difficult to eradicate. Females lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime, in clutches of 10 to 50 eggs at a time. After six to 17 days of development, eggs hatch and nymphs are released. These nymphs look like small versions of adults and will undergo several molts in becoming adults. Adult bed bugs can survive more than one year between blood meals.

Bed bug infestations can be prevented by regularly cleaning and vacuuming bedrooms, by conducting regular inspections of bedding for live or dead insects or their molted skins, by using certified bed bug encasements to protect mattresses and box springs, by using light colored sheets to make fecal spots easier to detect, by inspecting furniture near sleeping areas paying particular attention to seams, crevices, and folds, and by sealing cracks in the walls, trim, and bed frames.

BED BUGS – Frequently Asked Questions & Concerns

Are you looking for help with bed bugs? We’re here to help.

We’re happy to help where we can. Reach out to us for a quote on bed bug extrmination or control, and remember we guarantee your satisfaction with our pest control services, or they are 100% free.

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Deanna Amirault
Deanna Amirault
2023-09-25
I had a wasp nest removed. Felix really knows his job and does it well! He was helpful answered all questions I had. I for sure will use this company in the future.
pham taqn kiet
pham taqn kiet
2023-09-24
Good service.
Nyx Gel
Nyx Gel
2023-09-24
The rental's yard, bushes, and fence line were effectively free of ants thanks to the outstanding service offered by Major Pest Control, which exceeded expectations in terms of value, quickness and on time.
Angeline Mariano
Angeline Mariano
2023-09-24
Excellent and flawless customer service was provided. Major Pest Control is a trustworthy pest control business that guarantees to address your issue, return to verify eradication, and offer a warranty as claimed.
Glenn Dwyer
Glenn Dwyer
2023-09-24
We had a severe infestation of Cockroaches here in a older home in Red Deer. We called and they sent Joel a very professional ,capable, and knowledgeable Pest Control Operator. He took time to explain thing's and after the second spray that we prepared more better for him this time to do his job correctly. It had a great affect on the Cockroaches...and there were very very many...infested, in everything..even the fridge...and it's a very good feeling now seeing just dead one's around, hardly any, compared to before the second spray. Thanks Major Pest Control and Thanks Joel for such an Expert Job and relief of this major problem .If needed, will definitely give you guys a call again for sure, Thanks a bunch!! Sincerely, Glenn Dwyer, very relieved now!!
Suzanne Cadieux
Suzanne Cadieux
2023-09-23
Amazing service. I woke up in the morning and had bite marks all over my body. I assumed it could be either mites, ticks, or bedbugs. I took my dog to a vet. I called Major Pest Control. Ray did the inspection and found bed bugs. He explained how to get rid of bed bugs. They sent us a technician that same day. Our technician came over right away and explained to me in detail what needed to be done. I am very happy with the results and completely trust Major pest control. They are very responsive, professional, helpful, and thorough. I highly recommend Major Pest Control.
Christian Maxwell
Christian Maxwell
2023-09-23
Jean was very friendly and got in every spot possible very great work done
Sue H (Suzy ESUA)
Sue H (Suzy ESUA)
2023-09-23
Friday, Sept 22, 2023 This is just a review of the initial consult with technician, Jojo, from Major Pest Control, out of their Edmonton office. He left five bait stations and found a major entry point in a hidden corner of the garage where mice chewed a sizable hole where it meets the main house. He has temporarily plugged it to see if any other entries will be identified btt he returns on Oct. 12th. When he returns he will permanently fill with printable caulking which we can paint in spring. Thank you Jojo. TC Sue H, Fort Sask, Ab
Eric Budd
Eric Budd
2023-09-22
Great service, on time and fast.
Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 2034 reviews