Bed Bugs
An Invisible Menace
Bed bugs are widely reviled for their tendency to emerge at night and leave behind itchy welts as they feast on blood. These pests are notoriously difficult to identify and even harder to get rid of. Learn how to spot the early signs of bed bugs from the team at Dodson Pest Control and explore treatment options to address an infestation for good.
Bed Bugs At-A-Glance
Extremely tiny, the size of an apple seed
Dark reddish brown in color
Commonly found after traveling
Best known for their parasitic nature
Concerned You Have a Bed Bug Problem?
Bed Bug FAQs
Adult bed bugs are oval-shaped, flat, rusty-red colored insects about 1/4 of an inch long. Immature bed bugs are smaller and lighter in color.
No, bed bugs cannot fly or jump. They can only crawl.
Bed bugs spread by crawling and can be carried in on luggage, furniture, clothing, and other belongings. They can travel between rooms and apartments.
Bed bugs are often found in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, cracks/crevices, behind wallpaper, and in clutter.
Signs include rusty-colored stains on bedding, dark spots (bed bug excrement), eggs/eggshells, pale shed skins, musty odors, and the bugs themselves.
No, bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases, but their bites can be uncomfortable, causing itchy welts, rashes, allergic symptoms, and loss of sleep.
Getting rid of bed bugs typically requires integrated pest management by a professional exterminator, including heat treatment, vacuuming, sealing cracks/crevices, and possibly pesticide application.
Reduce clutter, vacuum frequently, seal cracks/crevices, inspect secondhand items, and be cautious when traveling to avoid bringing bed bugs home.
Bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal, allowing infestations to persist even after homes are vacant for a short period.
Bed bug bites appear as raised, reddish bumps in a line or cluster, often with a darker red center. Bites may not show up for days and can cause severe itching.
Bed bugs can survive in temperatures as low as 46°F, but they become inactive below 55°F and cannot reproduce below 59°F, slowing but not eliminating infestations.
