Feb 18, 2016, 10:11 AM by Fred Speer

Bed bugs are pests that never seem to go out of season. Whether it’s February or September, bed bugs can make their unwanted presence felt in your home.

1. You can see bed bugs – if you look. Adult bed bugs are flattened, reddish-brown in color, and about the size of an appleseed. Immature bed bugs are yellowish, semi-transparent, and small (1 to 3 mm). Bed bug eggs are pearly white (1 mm).
2. Bed bugs aren’t always found in the bed. Just because they’re called bed bugs doesn’t mean that they are always found on beds or box springs. Bed bugs go to where people are, and they can be found in many places – furniture, clothes, luggage, wheelchairs, even in vehicles.
3. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. Bed bugs do not appear spontaneously in your home. They can’t fly or jump like other pests. Bed bugs are typically brought into homes when they hitchhike on belongings like clothes, backpacks, bedding, or luggage. Inspecting your clothes and belongings before entering your home is the first defense in bed bug prevention.
4. One bed bug is not an infestation. It’s very important to keep calm when faced with a potential bed bug problem. If you find just one bed bug, it could very well be the only one present in your home. The first step is to kill that individual bug, and then monitor the area closely to see if additional bed bugs emerge. If they do, then call the Clark Man for some expert advice and an inspection.
5. Clothes dryers kill bed bugs. The high-heat setting on an average clothes dryer will kill bed bugs and their eggs in approximately 30 minutes. Many types of items can go in the dryer, including clothes, shoes, and bed linens.

If you suspect bed bugs might be lurking in your home, call or text the Clark Man at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or send an email to clarkcares@clarkpest.com. One of our bed bug experts will follow up to answer any questions you may have. 

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.