Unfortunately, residents in Houston and most local business owners still have to deal with the annoyance of bed bugs. Whether you manage an apartment complex, a motel, or a single-family house, there’s a good chance that you or someone close has experienced bed bug problems. If you are suffering from the same issue, I share some foolproof tips to deal with it ASAP!
Bed bugs are notorious for their size and propensity to hitchhike, making dealing with them quite bothersome and stressful. Homeowners in Houston with bed bug problems must fulfill specific duties before Pest Control Management can start to treat the infestation. It usually takes two to five treatment sessions to get rid of bed bugs and confirm that the area is bug-free.
Now that you have a simple idea about dealing with the bed bug epidemic in your area, it’s time to get into the detail! Even if they are notorious for being difficult to deal with, effective treatment is still possible. To help you know all about the remedy, I will share why the problem is so grave in Houston and the best tips to deal with it as effectively as possible.
Huston’s Bed Bug Epidemic
According to Terminix, the largest U.S. provider of pest control services, Houston ranks in the top fifteen cities in the country for the prevalence of bed bugs. Texas’s ninth-largest city, Houston, came in at number twelve in 2019.
Many of the most famous summer homes are on the list of the 50 cities with the most bed bugs in 2019. The list came out Monday, the first day of Bed Bug Awareness Week. Bed bug extermination experts, which offer services to combat the pests, ranked Houston as the twelfth city in the nation.
They determined the rankings by the total number of bed bug service requests from Terminix from 2017 to 2018. These notorious bloodsuckers are the most common hitchhikers in your purses, suitcases, jackets, and other belongings. Although most people think of bed bugs when they think of beds and mattresses, you may find them in couches, chairs, and even behind baseboards.
Why Are There So Much Bed Bug Infestation In Houston?
As we have already covered, bed bugs are a massive headache for Houston homeowners and business owners. We’ve talked to a local pest control company about why Houston is such a hot spot for bed bugs. According to them, contrary to popular belief, bed bugs don’t only infest dirty and hold homes.
When it comes to cleanliness, bed bugs could care less. But, of course, these parasites couldn’t care less where they come from; they want somewhere to hide and a blood supply to feast on every night. Bed bugs will stick around if there are dark, cozy places in your home where people may sleep.
Poor neighborhoods aren’t the only ones affected by bedbugs either. Even some of the wealthier communities have seen their appearance. The Health Department of Houston, Texas, has been looking into the problem. They are spreading awareness about how to avoid being bitten by bedbugs.
There are bedbugs in every one of the 50 states in the U.S. Also, reports of bedbugs have come in from every Texas county. So, it’s not just Houston that has a bedbug problem. Bedbugs are common in almost every community and every building in the United States. So, there is more than simply a Houston issue with bedbugs.
5 Tips To Deal With Huston’s Bed Bug Situation
While it is possible to deal with the bed bug situation independently, some conditions can make it more challenging to eliminate them. In such cases, it’s best to hire a professional exterminator to eliminate them effectively.
Let us go over the top 5 tips to deal with a terrible bed bug situation you may be facing in Houston –
Tip 1: Start By Locating All The Infested Areas
It’s best to discover a bedbug problem before the pests can multiply. You can deal with a small infestation more quickly and cheaply than a major one. Of course, minor infestations can be trickier to spot. You can inspect your place for bedbugs or hire an expert. Some inspectors use trained dogs with specialized noses to find bedbugs.
Bedbugs can hide in nooks and crannies because of their slim bodies. They may fit in the cracks between cushions and the creases of drapes. Make sure to look around the areas you may generally ignore carefully.
Tip 2: Take Control Of The Infestation
When you discover a bedbug infestation, the first step in getting rid of them is to control it. Vacuuming is a simple and effective method for capturing bedbugs. First, do a quick vacuuming of all hiding spots—everything from your bedding, a dresser, a carpet, and electronic gadgets like a TV.
Empty the contents of the vacuum cleaner by sealing them in a plastic bag. Then throw them away!
Tip 3: Use Heat To Exterminate The Bedbugs, But Do It Carefully!
Increasing the temperature inside your home using the thermostat or portable heaters won’t work. Heat treatment is effective only when done at very high temperatures using specialized equipment. If the inside of the black plastic bags gets hot enough, they could be able to get rid of bed bugs in small items like baggage.
Bed bugs can’t survive temperatures beyond 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). When using heat to eliminate bed bugs, heat the space or container to a higher temperature to maintain the heat long enough to kill the insects.
Tip 4: Reduce Bed Bug Hiding Spots — Declutter
Bed bugs can thrive in a messy home since there is more to hide. To protect yourself against bed bugs while you sleep, encase your box springs and mattresses in special encasements to keep the pests out.
Let the covers stay on for a whole calendar year. Purchase and use bedbug-proof products durable enough to endure the entire year without tearing.
Tip 5: When In Doubt, Consult An Expert
If you want a better chance of successfully eliminating bed bugs, hire a pest control expert that is both skilled and trustworthy. Extermination services can use effective chemicals and other methods that you cannot. For example, their pesticides kill bugs instantly and remain inside gaps and furniture to kill bedbugs over time.
Businesses that deal with pest management may also use whole-room heat treatments. They bring specialized equipment to raise the room temperature to between 135- and 145 degrees Fahrenheit (57.22 and 62.78 degrees Celsius), which is hot enough to kill the bedbugs.
To see results from professional help usually takes a few visits. Before re-entering the treated rooms, you should wait a few hours after each application for the pesticides to dry.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that bedbugs can do a lot of damage to your home. Unfortunately, regarding these creepy crawlers, Houston ranks high among U.S. cities. So, if you want to deal with these bloodthirsty pests, I share some of the best tips in this article. I hope these tips can help you track, prevent and eliminate their infestation. Thanks for reading till now.
