Bed Bug Treatment
Trusted Residential Bed Bug Extermination in Middle Tennessee
We’ve all probably heard the phrase, “Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Bed bugs are making an unwelcomed comeback in North America, but Midstate Termite and Pest Control has you covered. Our pest control experts provide bed bug treatment services in Cookeville and surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee. You can rest assured we know what signs to look for when it comes to bed bug infestations. We know where these unpleasant pests like to hide, as well as the best ways to eliminate them. Call us today for residential bed bug extermination that begins with a thorough home inspection!
What Causes Residential Bed Bug Infestations?
Believe it or not, travel is the most common cause of residential bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers, often catching a ride on people, pets, clothing, luggage, and other belongings. You could be picking up bed bugs without realizing it the next time you stay overnight in a hotel or visit a movie theater. They could also enter your home through used furniture or clothing from your local thrift shop or your neighbor’s adjacent apartment. Unlike other pests we often deal with at Midstate Termite and Pest Control, bed bugs are not caused by poor personal hygiene or having a dirty home.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation and Where They Hide
Because bed bugs are small and wingless with flat bodies, they largely go unnoticed by humans. Bed bugs typically like to hide near their hosts, often hiding during the day and coming out at night to feed. Most people don’t even notice being bitten because bed bugs inject a mild anesthetic while biting their victims. You could have bed bugs lurking in or near your mattress or couch upholstery, behind your light switches or outlet covers, behind picture frames or wallpaper, where your floors and baseboards meet, or inside furniture crevices. Signs of a bed bug infestation to be on the lookout for include small reddish or brownish spots on your mattress or bed linen or bed bug eggs or molted skins along the edges of your mattress. Red, itchy welts on your skin are also an indication that a bed bug has bitten you. Scratching bed bug bites can lead to allergic reactions or infections that may require medical care.
Our Residential Bed Bug Control Treatment Approach
Our tried-and-true residential bed bug control treatment in the Cookeville area involves a combination of pesticide and non-pesticide approaches. We usually use pesticides to treat the broader areas of an infested room and non-pesticide heat treatments on mattresses, bed linens, and upholstery inside the room and adjacent rooms. Our bed bug pest control service thoroughly treats every crack and crevice, including furniture, carpets, walls, baseboards, molding, and trims, to eradicate bed bugs from your home. Because bed bugs tend to multiply very quickly (a single female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs within her lifetime), follow-up residential bed bug services in your Tennessee home may be necessary.
What to Do After Our Initial Bed Bug Extermination Service
After our initial bed bug control services, you may see dead bed bugs around your home. It’s okay to vacuum them. We also suggest vacuuming your vehicles thoroughly, including inside the seat crevices and trunk. We also recommend washing and drying all of your bed linens on high heat, as well as any clothing your family might have been wearing on the day of treatment. You might also want to invest in mattress covers to prevent bed bugs from returning.
What you do after bed bug extermination is essential to preventing future infestations. You’ll want to remain on the lookout for bed bugs in the weeks to come. Please document and report any bed bug sightings to our team. We also encourage you to examine your travel habits and make a note of any places you frequently visit, including workplaces, stores, schools, babysitters, or other homes. This should help you narrow the possibilities of where the bed bugs came from to prevent re-infestations after our initial bed bug extermination service.
How to Prepare for Bed Bug Treatment: A Preparation Checklist
Your bed bug treatment preparation checklist should include the following before our initial service:
- We do not suggest using over-the-counter pesticides or other products prior to calling us.
- Be prepared to leave your residence during our scheduled bed bug treatment services, also making necessary arrangements for your pets. We recommend leaving with as little as possible. You may want to leave behind your purses, briefcases, or backpacks so that they may be included in the bed bug treatment process.
- While we recommend ensuring your home is clean, it’s important to leave all furniture, linens, mattresses, and upholstery as-is. When you move around furniture or other items, you run the risk of spreading the bed bug infestation to other parts of your home.
- You may be tempted to take your clothing out of your dresser or closet and put it inside a trash bag, but please leave your clothing in its regular place.
- We do not recommend visiting other residences until after our bed bug treatment.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Bed Bug Inspection at Your Home
Serving Middle Tennessee’s residential pest control needs since 1953, Midstate Termite and Pest Control is among the state’s oldest pest control companies. A 100% Guarantee backs our bed bug treatment services in Cookeville and surrounding areas. You can count on us to follow up with you regularly and respond to your immediate pest control needs. Contact us today to get started with a bed bug inspection. We’ll search your home from top to bottom to identify potential risks before beginning the bed bug extermination process. Be sure to check out our reviews!