It’s clear that bed bugs are still a big problem. For the last two years, we’ve received several calls a week about this home invader, and the calls just keep on coming. This blog post will revisit some points from our post in January to help explain how bed bugs spread, why they take over so quickly and why heat treatment is – hands-down – the best way to get rid of them.

Why is heat treatment better?

This remedy is increasingly in demand because it’s a one-shot, single-day treatment that does not involve chemicals.  And because heat penetrates the treatment area, it’s less prep work and fuss for the homeowner or business before pest control professionals arrive.

We have invested in heat treatment because it is truly the best way to eradicate these pests from your home or business. Instead of spraying chemicals only on accessible areas, our system accesses EVERY inch of an infested structure. With our system, portable electric heaters, powerful air mover fans and an electric temperature sensor system bring the heat level to 120 to 130 degrees. At 120 degrees, all stages of bed bugs will be dead in about 13 minutes. We install temperature probes in strategic areas and then regulate and gauge the temperatures until every area has been treated at the right temperature for the right amount of time.

The alternative to heat is to use chemical treatment methods. Multiple surfaces have to be sprayed with chemicals to kill bed bugs.  It’s necessary for the property owner to do some pre-and-post tasks in the treatment area (such as remove food and other items so that the chemical does not contaminate, and wipe down some surfaces once the treatment is completed).  Chemical treatments typically involve four separate chemical treatments within a 30-day period.

Why are bed bugs so hard to treat?

Bed bugs are efficient colonizers. Because bed bugs are only about the size of an apple seed, they maximize their chance of survival by hiding out in unexpected places: electrical outlets, the under-side of carpets, inside electronics and so many other hard-to-reach areas of a home or business. You could even have bed bugs stored away in unused clothing and waiting for a chance to feed for up to 18 months!

What are bed bugs, anyway?

Many people think that bed bugs can’t be seen by the human eye; but that’s not the case at all.  They’re actually about the size of an apple seed.  Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, and are mostly active at night.  Although they can be found in sneaky places all over a home or business, they mostly like to hide in crevices close to where people sleep.

When their victims are at rest, bed bugs will come out of hiding.  First, they inject a saliva secretion that contains an anesthetic and blood thinner so you don’t feel them bite.  Next, they engorge themselves with blood from people or pets for up to ten minutes. And finally, the bed bug will retreat to reproduce and molt.  A single female bed bug can produce up to 50 adults in one 30-day cycle!

Where do bed bugs come from?

The bed bug problem is definitely worse as you get nearer to the East Coast, but the bugs are literally hitchhiking their way to mid Missouri.  They make their way on luggage, furniture, clothing and even people.  Bed bugs have been found in homes, hotels, apartments, health care facilities, dorms, schools, busses and other public places – it’s easy to see why stopping the spread is so tricky!

Yuck!  Let’s talk prevention.

One of the most disturbing things is that it’s just so hard keep them out of your home once they’ve hitched a ride in.  Homeowners and businesses can practice a few key preventative measures to keep an invasion at bay:

• Don’t take used or curbside items.
  Bed bugs can live for up to 18 months without feeding, so it’s best not to take a chance on items that could be infected.

• Treat with heat before you know.
  Smaller items you’re unsure of introducing into the home (clothing, toys, backpacks, shoes, etc.) can be placed in the clothes dryer on a medium-high setting for 20 minutes.  The heat will likely kill all stages of bed bug that may be hiding out.

• Inspect hotel bedding.
  Take just a few minutes to survey key spots on bedding when you’re staying away from home.  Check for dark spotting or staining, eggs and eggshells, and for the bugs themselves.  Prime locations for bed bugs to hide out are mattress seams and tags, as well as ledges or creases around headboard areas.

• Take care when you return home.
  To be safe after traveling, wash and dry (in the dryer on medium-high setting) all clothing when you get back from a trip.  Be sure to seal up luggage tightly in a trash bag and leave stored in a garage or basement.

The good news is that when bed bugs become a problem, there is a one-day treatment that will kill them. No matter where they hide out or what stage of development, a professional heat treatment system will get the job done.

Just mention the name “brown recluse,” and watch your friends and coworkers make a face. We see that face a lot this time of year, as spring gives way to summer and a new crop of creepy-crawlies becomes active. Ants and termites are also pesky right about now, but this post will focus on Missouri’s two species of poisonous spider: the brown recluse and the black widow.

Both spiders tend to shun humans and make their homes in spots we don’t like to frequent or don’t disturb very often (crawl spaces, attics, the back of a closet, etc.). They usually only come into contact through circumstance, such as pulling that camping equipment out of storage. And even then, the spiders cannot bite unless they are caught or cornered against you. It’s important to keep in mind that while a bite from either of these spiders is certainly a cause for concern, people who are bitten usually come out of it relatively unharmed. That said, reaching out to a medical professional as soon as you realize you’ve been bitten is recommended just to be safe.

Brown recluse are more likely than black widows to come into contact with humans. This is because the recluse likes to inhabit cluttered interior areas that are rarely disturbed, and (unlike the black widow that prefers more open-air locations and rarely leaves it’s web) the recluse leaves the web to actively seek it’s prey at night.

Most homes in Missouri are also home to these poisonous spiders. In fact, studies have shown that brown recluse spiders inhabit nearly 70% of homes that were sampled. You can monitor the spider population in your home by purchasing inexpensive sticky traps and placing them around baseboards, under furniture and in other out-of the-way areas the spiders are likely to visit. Give us a call or contact us if what you find on the traps gives you “the face” – we know what it takes to get rid of these potentially dangerous invaders and keep them out for good.

If winter invaders such as mice and spiders have you pulling your hair out, you may be ready to “calmly, quietly, walk to the phone” and give us a call. But you may be wondering what happens after the call. While each visit is unique, here’s an overview of what typically happens when we visit…

One of our certified Steve’s Pest Control technicians will show up at your business or residence; on time and in a marked vehicle so you can clearly identify who we are. Then we’ll shake hands and take some time to talk about your particular pest issue, and what your needs and desires are for a solution.

Next, the technician will take a look around. We’ll want to see both the inside and outside areas, plus all of those places you don’t usually show to people – basements, crawl spaces, attics, and any service or storage rooms such as pantries, laundry closets and furnace rooms.

After that, we’ll talk with you again about any evidence of pest presence we see, and go over your options to make sure you are comfortable. Options can range from a one-step solution (like leaving mouse traps and bait), to our full-service 5-Star Advantage treatment plan that’s guaranteed for 12 months to keep just about all common pests out of your home.

The important thing is that your pest problem will be professionally evaluated, all of your options will be laid out for you, and together we’ll find a solution to fit your needs and your budget. So the next time you see our red trucks, give a wave to your friend in the pest control business!

Winter is typically a quieter time for service calls here at Steve’s Pest Control.  But we’ve been busy training, learning new pest-fighting techniques and getting all of our equipment serviced and ready for what’s coming right about now – when those pesky dormant pests come out of hiding and begin to show signs of life in your home.

What Springtime Invaders?

As temperatures begin to rise, we typically field complaints about two main groups of pests: “non-seasonal” pests (such as mice, German roaches and bed bugs) that are active year round, and “dormant and over-wintered” pests that are emerging from where they’ve been hiding out on your property.

Many people don’t realize that pests do actually hibernate within their homes, but several varieties do.  Box elder bugs, cluster flies, clover mites and lady beetles actually build up fat storage in their bodies during the warmer months and use that to survive during winter hibernation.  They hide out in your home in the fall, as temperatures begin to lower towards freezing.

The creepy-crawlies survive the winter in areas you would expect – attics, crawl spaces, etc. – but also in less expected spaces.  Just about any gap, crack, crevice or void within your home could serve as a winter hide out.  Outdoor places can work too: low decks, overgrown vegetation and thick mulch can provide enough shelter for some pests to survive the winter cold.

How do I get Hibernators out of Hiding?

Once they’ve found a harboring space within your home and survived all winter, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of the problem for good.  This is because what really bothers you as the property owner are the bugs that we can all see, not the ones still in hiding.  We can treat those as we see them, but future generations may already be brewing back in the hibernation spot.  So it’s important to understand that the best we can expect from a one-time treatment is pest CONTROL, but not IRRADICATION.

To really get to the heart of the problem, home and business owners can look into a treatment program that’s customized for their property.  Instead of responding to pests after they’ve taken hold (and if they’re bothering you enough to give us a call – believe us, they have), a treatment program is a planned service that treats your property for common pests BEFORE they become a problem.

Service plans typically treat multiple times during the months when pests are considered “active.”  This is usually spring through fall.  The goal of these plans is to first get rid of any pests that are active, and then to prevent future infestations by creating a barrier to keep them away from your property for good.  Some plans even offer additional benefits – our 5-Star Advantage plan also includes termite protection, plus a guarantee.  With a professional service plan in place, you may never notice another pest in your home!