Bed Bug Treatment & Exterminators

“Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Whoever coined that phrase clearly didn’t understand the horror that bed bugs can bring into your life. These tiny, blood-sucking pests may be small, but they are notorious for causing discomfort, sleepless nights, and anxiety for homeowners. At 101 Exterminators, we specialize in bed bug control to help residents of Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, and Santa Clara County sleep soundly without the worry of being a bed bug buffet.

The Itchy 411 on Bed Bugs

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have earned their name as the worst bedfellows imaginable. These nocturnal parasites hide during the day in cracks and crevices, only to emerge at night to feed on the blood of their hosts. Bed bugs typically make their homes in:

• Mattress Seams
• Sheets and Bedding
• Furniture
• Baseboards and Electrical Outlets
• Luggage and Clothing

Bed bugs are most active between midnight and 7 a.m., making their nighttime feeding sessions the reason behind itchy red welts that many people wake up with. Their ability to hide in the smallest crevices and their resistance to many DIY treatments make them a challenging pest to eliminate.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

• Size: Adult bed bugs are small, about the size of an apple seed (1/8 inch in length).
• Shape: They have flat, oval-shaped bodies that allow them to slip into tiny spaces.
• Color: Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, becoming more reddish after feeding.
• Nymphs: Young bed bugs, called nymphs, go through five molts before reaching adulthood, requiring a blood meal before each stage.

How Bed Bugs Spread

One of the most frustrating things about bed bugs is their ability to spread quickly. Bed bugs are expert travelers, often hitching rides on clothing, luggage, or furniture. This is why they’re so commonly found in places like hotels, apartments, and dormitories. Once inside your home, bed bugs can quickly reproduce, turning a small problem into a large infestation.

• Fast Reproduction: A single female bed bug can lay up to five eggs a day, with a lifetime total of up to 500 eggs. These eggs are tiny—about the size of a speck of dust—and are hidden in cracks, secured with a glue-like substance.
• Long Life Cycle: Bed bugs can live for months without feeding. Nymphs can survive for up to two months without blood, while adult bed bugs can live for an entire year in the right conditions.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Detecting a bed bug infestation early is crucial to preventing it from spiraling out of control. Here are some common signs that bed bugs may have taken up residence in your home:

• Itchy Red Bites: Bed bug bites are usually found in clusters or straight lines on exposed skin, such as the arms, legs, and back.
• Blood Stains on Sheets: After feeding, bed bugs may leave behind small blood stains on your sheets.
• Fecal Stains: Bed bugs leave behind black or brown stains from their excrement, which can often be seen on mattresses, furniture, or walls.
• Eggs and Shed Skins: Look for tiny white eggs (about 1/32 inch) and shed skins from molting bed bugs in the seams of mattresses or cracks in furniture.
• Live Bed Bugs: While bed bugs are small and good at hiding, spotting one crawling on your bed or furniture is a sure sign of infestation.

How 101 Exterminators Treats Bed Bug Infestations

At 101 Exterminators, we use a comprehensive, multi-step approach to eliminate bed bugs from your home. Our team is trained to locate even the most well-hidden bed bugs and eradicate them using safe and effective treatments.

1. Inspection and Identification

The first step to solving a bed bug problem is finding exactly where they’re hiding. Our technicians will thoroughly inspect your home, including:

• Beds and Mattresses
• Furniture and Upholstery
• Baseboards and Electrical Outlets
• Cracks and Crevices

By identifying the extent of the infestation, we can develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your home’s specific needs.

2. Treatment Options

Once we’ve identified the problem areas, we’ll begin treatment. Depending on the severity of the infestation, we may use a combination of the following methods:

• Heat Treatments: Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat, and our heat treatments raise the temperature in infested areas to a level that is lethal to bed bugs at all life stages. This method is effective in killing bed bugs in hard-to-reach areas without the use of chemicals.
• Insecticide Treatments: We use professional-grade insecticides to target bed bugs in their hiding spots. Our treatments are safe for your family and pets while being highly effective at eliminating bed bugs.
• Vacuuming and Steam Treatment: These methods are used to physically remove bed bugs from mattresses, furniture, and other surfaces.

3. Follow-Up and Monitoring

After the initial treatment, we’ll schedule follow-up visits to ensure that the bed bugs are completely eradicated. Bed bugs are persistent, and our ongoing monitoring ensures that your home remains bed bug-free. We also provide tips on how to prevent future infestations, such as inspecting luggage after travel and avoiding used furniture.

Why Choose 101 Exterminators for Bed Bug Treatment?

• Experienced Professionals: Our team is trained in the latest bed bug treatment techniques, ensuring a thorough and effective process.
• Safe and Reliable Solutions: We use methods that are safe for your family and pets while providing long-term results.
• Comprehensive Approach: From inspection to follow-up, we provide complete solutions to ensure bed bugs are eliminated from your home.
• Local Expertise: We understand the specific pest challenges faced by residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties, and we tailor our treatments accordingly.

Don’t let bed bugs take over your home and your peace of mind. At 101 Exterminators, we’re here to provide expert bed bug extermination services that you can count on. If you suspect bed bugs have invaded your home, contact us today for a thorough inspection and customized treatment plan.