Finding evidence of bed bugs in the home is an alarming problem that far too many homeowners experience each year. Unlike some other pests, like ants or rodents, bed bugs rarely travel on their own. Instead, they are most often unknowingly introduced into the home by the actions of the people who live in or visit the household. 

How they arrive in the home

Because they are small, difficult to see, and good at hiding, bed bugs are able to come into homes tucked away in the fabric of clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, or even the seams of suitcases, backpacks, and purses. 

Bedbugs are often found in places frequented by the public, such as hotels, schools, spas, gyms, and public transportation options, like taxicabs and buses. They can also be unknowingly picked up through visits to other homes that are also infested.

Once clothing, bags, and other items are infested with these insects and taken into the home, the bed bugs quickly begin to breed, moving out to populate larger spaces, such as mattresses and upholstered furnishings or carpets. Their tiny size and nocturnal habits can make it easy for them to evade detection, until a serious infestation is already in place. 

Why DIY extermination methods are rarely effective 

When a household finds that they have been invaded by bed bugs, the first thought is usually to thoroughly clean and sanitize the home, in an effort to get rid of the pests. While it is true that exposure to heat can kill bed bugs, both adults and juveniles, most home cleaning solutions and laundry settings will not be hot enough to achieve this goal. 

Another form of bed bug extermination is the application of heat, but this can be very dangerous when used as a DIY attempt to cure a bed bug infestation. In fact, there are multiple cases of residential fires that occurred as a result of a homeowner's attempt to rid their house or apartment of bed bugs. 

Homeowners who have seen signs of a bed bug infestation can help limit the problem by immediately contacting a bed bug exterminator in their area. This technician will assess the infestation and help the homeowner select a proven extermination method. During the period when the home is being treated to remove the bed bugs, the homeowners and their family members may need to relocate temporarily until the premises are known to be free of the bed bug activity.