How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast: Bed Bug Furniture Removal

As a homeowner, one of your major priorities is definitely keeping your home free from any kind of pest infestation whether bed bugs or others. Bed bugs are quite common and have been around for thousands of years. Like mosquitoes, they feed on blood and do not cause or transmit any known diseases to human beings.

However, they leave red marks on the skin which itch, thereby causing great discomfort to their victims. Also, some people are allergic to bed bug bites and this can lead to bigger medical complications. In this post, we will highlight what bed bugs really are and where they come from.

How to get rid of bed bugs fast. Bed bug furniture removal guide. Mattress removal, bed bug removal, bed bug furniture removal disposal Services.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are basically wingless, small and flat insects that are about a quarter inch long and reddish-brown in color. They are highly parasitic in nature and use humans as their preferred hosts even though they have been known to survive from feeding on cats and dogs. Their size grows after each feeding, otherwise, they are the size of an apple seed. 

These insects are mainly nocturnal, meaning that they stay hidden in the cracks, frames, springs of beds of mattresses or in the cracks of walls and even furniture in the daytime but come out at night.

They do not have wings so they are unable to fly or jump, however, they are able to crawl really rapidly. To identify a bedbug infestation, you might not need to actually see one.

This is because their excrement will cause a black or brown stain on the mattress or bed sheet, also, their bloodstains might be visible in areas where they might have been crushed accidentally.

Where Do They Come From?

A lot of times, when we travel, we tend to make stops at different hotels or places and leave our luggage open. Bed bugs are really good hitchhikers and love to hide in shoes, boxes, and suitcases; anything to ensure they stay close to a possible food supply. They are very elusive creatures and are hardly seen physically as they have mastered the art of hiding in plain sight and only come out when they need to feed. 

The presence of even one female which is very fertile is a huge infestation waiting to happen. This is because, a healthy, well blood-fed female bed bug lays about 500 eggs in her lifetime and can lay up to 5 eggs a day if close to a consistent food source. These eggs are very minute and are hardly seen as they are the size of a simple speck of dust.

An immature bedbug also known as a nymph has to shed its skin up to five times before it can attain maturity. This creature requires blood before each shedding and can grow to full size in less than a month if the conditions are favorable. Since bedbugs feed on blood, it is not enough to say that they are attracted to dirt and filthy environments like houseflies.

This is because even the most immaculate houses or hotel rooms can undergo bedbug infestations if one fertile female finds its way into the room. Bed bugs usually feed for about five to ten minutes, after which they will become filled with blood and hideaway for about ten days.

During this period, they do not feed, instead, they give themselves time to undergo digestion, and also mate and lay more eggs. 

How Do Bed Bugs Get In Your Home?

As earlier stated, bed bugs can easily come from furniture, luggage, and even purses. They can also easily move from room to room in apartment complexes and this is why full exterminations of entire buildings have to be carried out if bedbugs are found in one room as they lay a lot of eggs and can easily spread into new rooms. 

They can exist alone but once a favorable habitat has been established, they tend to congregate and form colonies. Studies have also shown that bedbugs can survive in temporary habitats such as beneath car seats, trains, buses, and even bag packs.

Since the anatomy of this insect is very small and flat, it makes it easy for them to fit into really small spaces undetected and can remain there for a while, only coming out when it needs to feed. Their preferred hiding places are mattresses and bed frames as they have easy and quick access to potential hosts for when they need to feed.

Symptoms of Bed Bugs

Symptoms of bed bug bites can be really hard to decipher at first even more so because some people do not experience physical reactions to the bites. To inexperienced eyes, symptoms of bed bug bites can easily be confused for that of other insects. Therefore, one has to be extremely sure before taking any further actions. Here we will discuss five common symptoms that could be as a result of bed bugs.

Red bite marks that are very itchy:

People usually don’t consider the existence of bed bugs in their homes until they have left their distinct mark. Flat, red welt like marks that appear as lines or clusters on the skin is usually a strong sign of bed bug bites. They can also create bite marks in a straight row on human flesh. Even though these insects do not spread or carry diseases, their bites are usually very irritating and itchy and can leave the skin prone to infections when scratched. 

Uncomfortable Nights:

Bed bugs are usually found in beds and are active at night when their hosts are asleep or trying to sleep. If you realize that you develop these really itchy welts or bite marks at night, then there is a high chance that bed bugs are the problem.

Marks on arms and shoulders: we say arms and shoulders because these are the body parts that are more likely to be exposed while you sleep at night and these are the parts the bedbugs will focus on. If you find red, itchy marks on these areas of your body then you might have a bedbug problem.

Stained beds and bedding: 

The first and most obvious sign of a bed bug infestation is usually the bed. After these insects feed, they tend to leave blood stains which look like rust marks on the bed, headboard or sheets. They also shed their skin often so it is possible to see their brown exoskeletons stuck in the mattress. 

Unpleasant smell: 

These insects release pheromones which can come off as a really strong and unpleasant smell to humans especially when there are a lot of them. If you find your bedroom or furniture smelling like a very wet sock or a filthy locker room for no obvious reason, then it might be time to carry out an inspection.

• reason, then it might be time to carry out an inspection.

It is important to note that bed bug bites usually do not appear on the skin the instant one gets bitten. Sometimes, it takes a few days for the symptoms of the bites to materialize on the skin. Also, since bedbugs do not need to feed every single night as they can go for a stretch of days without feeding, it might take some weeks for one to decide that the bite marks are becoming a pattern.

Even though it is really rare, some people have really strong allergic reactions to bed bug bites. Some of these reactions are;

• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Blisters on the skin
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swollen tongue
• Nausea

These allergic reactions are quite rare but do occur in some victims.

In the case where bed bugs have been living in a particular home for a long period of time, there are some extended symptoms that become quite obvious. Some of which are;

• Increased infections: when bed bug bites are scratched, it could cause the skin to tear, thus making it more prone to different kinds of infections.
• Sleep deprivation: the fear of being bitten by bedbugs can cause restlessness to the host and make him deprived of quality sleep which could lead to other health complications.

Will I feel the bites? 

Bed bugs inject the right amount of anesthesia into their hosts right before they feed so unfortunately you would not feel them bite you. Instead, you will only see the marks when they are done feeding.

Bed bug bites usually resemble a flea or mosquito bite especially in the early stages. This is because, like mosquito bites, bed bug bites leave a red, slightly swollen and itchy mark on the skin. However, they can easily be distinguished based on the fact that mosquito bites spread out a bit more and are quite sporadic; whereas, bedbug bites appear in clusters, small groupings or even on a straight line. So, unless many of the symptoms are experienced consistently over a certain period of time, one cannot really say that he has a bed bug infestation.

However, most bed bug bites heal on their own after a week or two but it is important to seek medical care if really serious symptoms are experienced. In the case where you experience a very dramatic immune reaction to the bites, then it is highly likely that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to the bites. If this proves to be the case, then one of the following medications might need to be administered;

• Antihistamine
• Epinephrine
• Corticosteroid (injectable)

If an infection occurs due to severe scratching of the affected areas, then the patient would need to be given a suitable antibiotic to fight the infection.

In most cases, the best and surest way of knowing that you have been bitten by bed bugs is to search for evidence of their existence in your home. To do this, you would have to;

Inspect your bed thoroughly: 

strip your mattress of its coverings or beddings and with a flashlight and magnifying glass, look out for rust-colored blood stains or small brown, dried insect skin.

Inspect your room:

since these insects do not only live in the mattress, you would need to do a thorough inspection of your entire room. Check the different edges of your carpet, your curtains, couches, and even your chairs. Also, look in and behind your dressers and your headboard for any sign of bed bug infestation.

Check your closet:

the easiest way for bedbugs to travel from room to room in your home would be through your clothes. If you suspect bed bug infestation, take time to go through all your clothes and the crevices of your closets to be totally sure.

Most of the times, bed bug bites are not a serious health condition, so if you find the symptoms on your skin you shouldn’t panic. Since most treatments are sold over the counter, your local pharmacist should be able to help proffer a solution. 

Once you are certain that the symptoms you are experiencing are due to bed bug bites, then it might be time to call a pest control company to take a look. These experts will take the time to inspect your home thoroughly to be sure that you actually have an infestation.

Once certain, they will begin treatment in the affected areas of your home to eliminate the hidden bugs and their eggs to avoid a recurrence. Bed bugs are really hard to get rid of so it is important that you leave it to the experts as these individuals are trained to deal with infestations such as this.

A lot of people rush to use pesticides to fight these parasites once discovered. Although this might work to a certain extent, it is important to note that some bed bugs have grown very resistant to pesticides and this is one of the reasons why you need the help of the experts. 

How to Kill Bed Bugs (DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF)

If you are absolutely sure that you have a bed bug problem in your home, then the best step would be to call in the experts. Bed bugs are incredibly hard to treat and since you hardly see them, it would be really difficult to try to handle the situation on your own. 

Ensure that you reach the crevices and hidden parts of your mattress for good results. After Vacuuming, use a steamer with very high pressure to penetrate your mattress, headboards, box springs, etc. to kill off any bugs or eggs that might still be in there. After cleaning, take your mattress and springs out to dry.

With the use of a residual and contact spray, spray down all the joints of your bed frame, the headboard, and footboard. The contact spray will eliminate bed bugs immediately and evaporate, while the residual spray will remain and kill the parasites over a couple of weeks. Ensure that you follow the instructions on the spray bottle to the T for good results. 

Seal your beddings:

Once your mattress and spring are all dried, you will have to seal them up in a bed bug encasement to ensure that any remaining parasite will starve to death and no new ones will be able to get in. you would have to leave this encasement sealed for about 16-18 months to ensure that there are no living bed bugs in there and you can now reuse your mattress alongside the already laundered beddings.

Now that you have successfully killed the bed bugs, it’s time to take certain measures to ensure your bed is completely bite proof. Since bed bugs like to hide in crevices and cracks in the bedroom and even in furniture, you definitely need a way to cut off their food supply which is you to ensure they have no means of feeding and ultimately reproducing. You can easily do this by;

• Moving your bed away from walls and other points of contact: this is to ensure that your newly treated bed is away from any place in your room that might still have bed bugs. Take extra measures to tuck in any stray sheets, and remove any furniture that is touching the bed frame. Your bed should be touching the floor and nothing else.

• Use interceptors:

Climb up interceptors can be placed under each leg of your bed to stop any bed bugs from climbing up to your mattress.
With your bed and frames fully elevated and isolated of any bed bugs, you have now taken away their source of survival as they won’t be able to feed on you in order to reproduce. The next step will be to start a hunt for these parasites in every part of your home to identify and eliminate them.

Steam and Clean your Room thoroughly: 

Since bed bugs are very small in size and flat, it’s easy for them to hide in really small and tight spots of your home. Places like inside book pages, wall cracks, furniture cracks etc. are very likely to be filled with bed bugs. So, in this step, you will clean and steam these high-risk areas of your home to reduce their population and make it harder for them to hide away.

You can begin by removing all clutter from your room, then vacuum and steam on window sills, baseboards and also on the edge of your carpets. Use the steamer slowly and carefully on your sofa and other furniture to ensure that any hidden bedbug is killed. 

Use the contact and residual sprays on all cracks and crevices that you suspect these parasites might be hiding in. ensure that you don’t apply sprays on the exposed areas where you are more likely to touch, sit or walk on.

These sprays are created to treat the small, somewhat hidden places where bedbugs could be found so there would be no need to spray on your carpet or your furniture as bedbugs are not often found in such open places. To ensure that all bed bugs in your home are eliminated, you will have to repeat the application of these sprays at two-week intervals for a total of six weeks.

This means that you will need three applications, each done at two-week intervals from the previous application. This way, any parasite eggs that you might have missed will be killed off before they can cause another infestation.

If you feel that this procedure might be a little too much for you to handle, then you should definitely leave it to the expert pest control companies. This way, you’re sure they’ll do a good job and not leave it up to chance. 

Hiring the Best Bed Bugs Exterminator

When it comes to bed bugs extermination, there are a lot of companies in the market who offer this service. However, it is crucial to the success of your extermination project that you hire the best of the bunch. Now the huge question is, how would you know which company is the best? We’ve got you covered!

Bed bugs are extremely hard to spot and even harder to completely eradicate. This is the major reason why you need a professional to handle this step for you.

Many pest control and exterminating companies in the US are very professional and have websites that can give you all the information you need and you can also schedule an appointment with them or get a price quote. Before you make a decision on the company to choose, there are two main factors you must put into consideration. They are;

• Versatility: whichever company you decide on should be able to do it all. This means that the company should have the resources to deliver on a wide range of services that has to do with bed bug extermination. If they want to isolate items from your home and treat them, they should have those experts available in their company. This is to avoid a situation where you would have to use different companies for each step of the extermination process. What’s more? When your chosen company has all the required skill set to complete the job, it gets done a bit quicker so you can go back to your normal life free of bed bugs.
• Credibility: before you choose any company, carry out an extensive research to be sure they are as credible as they seem. This could be something as simple as asking about them to see jobs they have successfully completed in the past and also asking to see their licensing, list of completed jobs, list of services and any other information to vouch for their credibility. A company that isn’t credible could make your bed bug situation a lot worse so it is very important that you do a little background research before hiring.

Hiring the best bed bugs exterminator comes with a range of benefits such as;

• High quality Equipment: a bed bug exterminator company worth his salt will have the best equipment and pesticides that might not easily be found in the market. Also, apart from the usual chemical sprays, these experts can make use of various kinds of mechanical processes and devices such as fogging equipment, baits and traps, fumigators etc. which are usually only made available to credible companies.
• Valuable Knowledge and Experience: some of these skilled experts have decades’ worth of experience and knowledge and have probably seen a lot of different kinds and levels of bed bug infestations. This means that they will be able to assess the condition of the infestation in your home, and map out a direct strategy that will get rid of the parasites very quickly without having to carry out a trial and error process.
• Keeps your house safe: the best exterminators will be able to handle the situation without letting it get out of hand by handling the process very promptly and safely.
• Assurance: with a professional bed bug exterminator, you are rest assured that the problem will be solved in no time.

The best part about letting the experts handle your bed bug infestation problem is that there is a high chance of getting completely rid of the problem. This cannot be said for the various DIY and home remedies for getting rid of these parasites which are available on google. This is your home, so it is important that you get the best experts in the business to fix the problem and not take a gamble with cheaper alternatives.

Bed Bugs Extermination Process

There are a lot of processes that are effective for the extermination of bed bugs. However, the CDC recommends heat treatment as the most effective method for the removal of bed bugs infestation from the home.

The heat treatment process basically involves the exposure of potentially infested areas of the home to heat of temperatures higher than 113^O F which kills bedbugs and their eggs within minutes. Basically, in this process, heat is introduced into the affected areas using industrial heaters and specific fans which are powerful enough to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed to all areas of the home. For proper treatment, all clothes, beds, bags, mattresses etc. will need to be removed from the area. This process takes a total of about 6-10 hours.

The heat treatment process has a couple of advantages that make it the desired form of approach for many pest control companies. Some of which are;

• A single process can eliminate all bedbugs in the home. Including the eggs
• Preparation for extermination only takes a couple of hours and not days as needed for other methods
• There’s no need to wash beddings
• Heat doesn’t cause any form of damage to furniture, electronics or beds
• The treatment is totally chemical free and non-toxic
• It helps you save a lot of time and money as treatment can be completed in a couple of hours.

There are other methods by which bedbugs can be exterminated in the home such as the use of pesticides and fumigation processes.

The average cost for Bed Bugs Extermination

The cost for bed bugs extermination varies depending on the process you want to use. This means that the cost of just spraying pesticides in the home definitely differs from that of full heat treatment. The average cost for each process is as follows;

1. Use of pesticides: this method will require a lot of work on your part as you would have to wash fabrics, clean and vacuum the home. The price of the pesticides ranges from $100 to $500 for each room.

2. Fumigation processes: this method is used for extremely heavy bed bugs infestations and requires that the owners vacate the premises for a stretch of time to avoid medical hazards from all the fumes of the chemicals being used. this process has a 99-100% success rate and will remove any other pesticides in the area other than bed bugs. It usually costs about $4 to $7.5 per square feet.

3. Heat Treatment: this is a more advanced and eco-friendly method of bed bugs extermination requiring the use of heat at high temperatures to kill the parasites. This process is really fast and does not require any effort on your part. Heat extermination processes cost about $2000 to $4000 depending on the size of the property.

25 Bed Bug Extermination Companies in the US You Can Call

If you are in the US, there are quite a number of bedbug extermination companies available to you. Here we will highlight 25 of these companies. 

1. Terminix: 

Terminix is a widely known pest extermination company in the US with a 5-star rating. It was ranked the top pest control company in America by consumers’ advocate and specializes in various kinds of extermination procedures such as cockroaches, house ants, mice, rats, scorpions etc. Their website is www.Terminix.com and it is a nationally recognized brand in the country. 

2. Orkin: 

Also a five star rated company, Orkin has been in the extermination business for decades and are well known for their professionalism in getting the job done. They handle a wide range of exterminations ranging from bed bugs to cockroaches to millipedes and so much more. Their website is www.orkin.com and you can request for a quote from one of the customer care representatives who are available 24/7.

3. Call A Pro: 

Rated 4.5star on Consumers’ advocate, this company also offers extermination services for a number of pests including rodents, bedbugs, and termites. Their website is www.callapro.com and they offer free services on specific conditions. 

4. GoodLife: 

With their headquarters in Oregon, Good life is a common name in the pest extermination business. They operate in poison and chemical free manner. They are rated 4.5 on consumers’ advocate and their website is www.consumersadvocate.org

5. Local Pest Control Pro: 

this is basically an online service whose aim is to act as the middleman between homeowners and pest control companies. Whether the need is commercial or private, this company has you covered. Rated 4.5 stars on consumers’ advocate, this company’s website is www.localpestcontrolpro.com.

6. Porch: 

similar to Local Pest Control pro, this company does the same job of linking customers with the right pest companies that offer the services they need. The companies they are linked to offer different kinds of extermination services ranging from bedbugs to rodents and Porch ensures all transactions go as smoothly as possible to the benefits of all parties involved. Their website is www.porch.com

7. Amazon: 

Amazon has rated 4 stars on consumers’ advocate for being an intermediary between pest exterminating companies and potential clients. having been in this industry for decades, they do a great job ensuring that homeowners get the right services at all times. Their website is www.amazon.com

8. Green Pest Solution: 

This company is rated 8.8/10 and is a somewhat new company but is definitely gaining grounds in the industry. they offer extermination services for different kinds of pests and their website is www.greenpestsolutions.com

9. Blue Ribbon: 

Rated 8.8/10 and based in New York, this company offers extermination services of different kinds of pests including bed bugs, termites and even spiders. They have worked with a lot of reputable companies and is one of the best companies in the game. Their website is www.blueribbon.com

10. Massey Services: 

Rated four stars on Consumers’ Advocate, this pest extermination company offers a wide range of services and has been in business for about 80 years. they are well known and carry out the extermination of different kinds of pests including rodents and of course bedbugs. Their website is www.masseyservices.com

11. Ehrlich: 

Rated 4.8stars, Ehrlich offers really sophisticated pest control services and even carries out inspections after exterminations to avoid recurrences. They have a healthy reputation and great customer service. Their website is www.jcehrlich.com

12. Ronnin Pest Control: 

With a Yelp rating of 4.5star, Ronnin pest control dominates the business in Los Angeles. Offering pest extermination services for different kinds of pests including bedbugs and rodents, this company is well versed in their business and offer great services. Their website is www.roninpestcontrol.com

13. Gladiator: 

Also located in the Los Angeles area, Gladiator pest control has a 5star rating on Yelp and deals mainly on bedbug extermination and also other pests that usually infest the home. They offer quotes on their sites and their website is www.gladiatorpestcontrol.com

14. Zeek’s Pest Control: 

Also sporting a 5star rating on Yelp, this company offer extermination services on bed bugs, cockroaches and other rodents. Their website is www.zeekspest.com and they offer online quotes to their customers. 

15. Arrow Exterminators: 

Having been around since 1964, Arrow Exterminators has been present for a very long time and has handled many extermination services in the US. They offer both residential and commercial services and their website is www.arrowexterminators.com

16. Western Press Services: 

One of the best pest control services in the services. With experts available in every part of the country, Western press services offer residential and commercial pest services on termites, bed bugs and different kinds of pests. Their website is www.westernpest.com

17. Dodson: 

This company offers extermination services in different states in the country on bedbugs, termites and other kinds of pests. Rated about 6.83/10 on toptenreviews, this company stands strong as one of the top pest control companies in the US. Their website is www.dodsonbros.com

18. Moxie: 

Present in about 13 states with a ranking of 6.25/10 on toptenreviews. It handles pest control on insects like bedbugs, termites, and also offers extermination services on wildlife. Their website is www.moxieservices.com

19. Eco-Wise Pest Control: 

Eco Wise has a rating of 7.73/10 on toptenreviews. It offers its pest extermination services on more than half of the country and deals with different kinds of insects like bedbugs, etc. and rodents. Their website is www.ecowisepestcontrol.com

20. Bulwark: 

This company is focused on providing pest extermination services for states in the southern and southwestern states in the US. They make use of eco-friendly products while carrying out their exterminations and deal on bedbugs, rodents and other kinds of pests. They have a rating of 5.90/10 on toptenreviews and their website is www.bulwarkpestcontrol.com

21. Cook’s Pest Control: 

This company offers pest extermination services in six states in the United States. They are rated 4.7/10 on toptenreviews and carry out extermination on different kinds of pests. Their website is www.cookspest.com

22. Presto-X: 

Owned by a British company but owned in the US, this company offers a variety of pest extermination services in various parts of the country for both residential, commercial and even business purposes. Rated 7.48/10 on toptenreviews, their website is www.rentokil-steritech.com

23. Truly Nolen: 

This company is rated one of the best pest control services in the country. Rated 8.5/10 on toptenreviews, this company offers a long list of extermination services for both businesses and residential purposes in the US. Their website is www.trulynolen.com

24. Castle Termite and Pest Control: 

Located in Texas, this company offers pest extermination services for different kinds of pests including termites, bedbugs etc. Customers can request a quote on their website castlepestcontrol.com

25. Galindo Pest Solutions: 

This company provides both outdoor and indoor pest control services in the US. They are located in Texas and their website is www.galindoexterminator.com

Why You Need Bed Bug Mattress Removal ASAP

When it comes to bed bugs removal from mattresses and beddings, it is extremely hard to get rid of the infestation completely. This is why getting rid of these mattresses is the best option when it comes to treating the infestation.

We are aware that washing with hot water settings and drying at high heat might deal with the infestation to an extent, however, it is advised that you get rid of the affected mattress and beddings completely to ensure missed bugs do not reproduce. 

How much do junk removal companies cost?

The average cost of junk removal depends on the volume and contents of the junk and also on service policies. The price usually ranges from $135 to $357 and although this service is offered by most cities as part of utilities, some private companies also offer these services. 

Online References:

• healthline.com
• webmd.com
• terminix.com
• bestbedbugexterminatornyc.com
• bedbugs.umn.edu
• purenvironmental.com
• doyourownpestcontrol.com
• landing.terminix.com
• aad.org
• pestworld.org
• orkin.com
• health.ny.gov
• epa.gov

How to get rid of bed bugs fast guide. Bed bug furniture removal guide. Mattress removal, bed bug removal, bed bug furniture removal disposal Services.