Here in South Florida, we've got several well-known pests, including right here in the Lake Worth area. We've got rodents, roaches, silverfish, and the ubiquitous mosquito. One pest that isn't on many Floridians' radars (though it should be) is the bed bug. Bed bugs are a significant problem for areas with lots of travel, and here in the Miami metro, we're one of the country's hottest tourist spots. Unfortunately, that also translates into a hot spot for bed bugs. So it's best to add them to your Lake Worth pest control plan while you can.

What Is A Bed Bug's Lifespan?

The lifespan of your average bed bug is short: only four to six months, though some can live up to a year under the right conditions. In that time, they'll go through six life stages. They start as eggs and then pass through four instar nymph phases before finally reaching adulthood. They'll need a blood meal before each of these phases so they can molt into the next stage, meaning they'll feed on you throughout their lives. 

Can Bed Bugs Reproduce Quickly?

Bed bugs reproduce comparatively slowly. They only lay between one and five eggs per day. And each of those eggs takes around two weeks to hatch. However, since bed bugs are so sneaky about it, the probability that they've already established a significant infestation by the time you realize there's a problem is actually quite high, which is why you'll need to contact local pest control for bed bugs as soon as you see signs there's a problem. The cost of bed bug fumigation and heat treatment goes up every day you wait. 

What Can Cause Bed Bugs To Come Into My Home?

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs can invade anywhere, not just "dirty" places. The most common ways for you to wind up with bed bugs are through travel and secondhand shopping. When you go to hotels, use public transportation, and visit thrift stores, you open yourself up to a bed bug infestation. 

Of course, you can't exactly avoid ever staying in a hotel again, so you'll have to take other precautions to avoid winding up with these nasty biters. Precautions to avoid include: 

• Check all hotel mattresses for signs of bed bugs. Look inside creases and under buttons. 
• Never set luggage or clothing on the bed or sofas in hotels. 
• Wash and dry clothes on the highest heat setting when returning from travel. 
• Avoid secondhand shopping. 
• If you must secondhand shop, always check items before bringing them into the house. 

Taking these measures can help you with preventative bed bug control, but they won't help you if you wind up with a bed bug infestation. You'll need professional bed bug control in Lake Worth in that case. 

What Can I Do To Remove Bed Bugs From My Home?

If you start seeing signs of bed bugs – such as bed bug bites or tiny bloodstains on your bed when you wake up in the morning – don't wait! You might see on the internet that you can treat bed bugs with essential oils or store-bought foggers, but this is just not true. These products barely slow bed bugs down. They wind up costing you more in the long run when you have to deal with an even larger infestation. Fortunately, there's a better way. 

Here at Above & Beyond Pest Control, our motto is right in our name. We go above and beyond to ensure your bed bug infestations are gone! So don't hesitate to call today!