Frequently Asked Questions – Bed Bug Services in Indiana
A Comprehensive Guide to a Pervasive Pest
Franklin Pest Solutions has been protecting health, homes, businesses, and the environment since 1929, offering highly effective results and unmatched expertise in pest management. With several locations throughout the Hoosier State, including Michigan City, Lafayette, New Albany, South Bend, Hammond, and Indianapolis, IN, we stand ready to tackle all your bed bug questions and concerns. When bed bugs make an unwelcome appearance, Franklin Pest Solutions is here to help. We have compiled a comprehensive list of questions customers frequently ask regarding bed bugs. Learn more about bed bug faq below.
WHAT DO BED BUGS LOOK LIKE?
Adult bed bugs are brown, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed or lentil. While primarily flat, their bodies can swell and darken in color after feeding on a host. Nymphs (juvenile bed bugs) are lighter in color and nearly transparent, making them more challenging to spot. Take a look at this image below. It shows male and female bed bugs in many different life stages. Before feeding, bed bugs appear creamy white with a darker squiggle in the abdominal area. Digested blood is what makes them appear darker reddish brown after feeding.
HOW PERVASIVE IS THE BED BUG PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES?
Bed bugs have been a growing concern across the United States for more than a decade. According to pest control agencies, residential and commercial calls have increased year over year. In 2018, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reported that 97% of pest professionals provided treatment for bed bugs that year.
Why are bed bugs still a problem today?
The issue with bed bugs has intensified due to many factors – increased international travel, ineffective over-the-counter treatments, and a lack of public awareness. Bed bugs are experts at hitching rides in luggage and clothes, and their resistance to conventional pesticides makes them particularly formidable pests.
What states have been affected by bed bugs?
There’s no state or country immune to the bed bug crisis. Bed bugs aren’t just an issue in a few regions – it’s an international problem affecting both private and public spaces. While heavily populated urban centers report higher numbers, it’s crucial to note that bed bugs have also made their way into rural communities and smaller towns.
WHERE ARE BED BUGS FOUND?
While they are most commonly identified in sleeping areas, bed bugs are versatile travelers. You can encounter bed bugs in hotels, schools, public transit systems, department stores, campsites with heavy traffic, movie theatres, Airbnbs, rideshare vehicles like Uber, and many other types of non-residential environments. They cling to furniture, purses, jackets, clothes, and luggage, making them well-equipped to infiltrate homes and businesses.
ARE BED BUGS JUST IN BEDS?
This is one of the most common bed bug FAQ we hear. The name “bed bug” can be a little misleading, as these pests aren’t limited to any one type of furniture. They’re known to invade sofas, recliners, office chairs, and even car seats. We see bed bugs in single-family and multi-family housing, apartment complexes, hotels and motels, hospitals, schools, college campuses, offices, retail stores, and even libraries and theaters. Wherever people are, the presence of bed bugs is possible.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON SIGNS OF A BED BUG INFESTATION?
Apart from the physical presence of bed bugs, other red flags include reddish-brown stains on mattresses, fabrics, or walls, discarded exoskeletons, tiny translucent eggs, empty eggshells, or a peculiarly sweet or musty scent in heavily infested areas. Individuals may experience itchy welts as a direct result of bed bug bites.
Telltale signs of a bed bug infestation include:
- Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls
- Molted bed bug skins, white, sticky eggs or empty eggshells
- Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor
- Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms and other body parts which may be exposed while sleeping
WHY ARE BED BUGS SO HARD TO TREAT?
Their resistance to chemical pesticides and ability to hide in the most obscure locations make bed bugs a difficult pest problem to manage. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and survive for several months without feeding. When they’re not feeding, they’re breeding. And the eggs are so difficult to see or could be laid in inaccessible places, so they can easily be overlooked.
HOW DOES SOMEONE CONTROL BED BUGS?
Control starts with proper education and early detection, which is why we recommend contacting a professional at the first suspicion of a bed bug presence. Our experts will guide you through the process, give you tips to extend the effectiveness of our service, and help you prevent an occurrence in the future. Over-the-counter products will worsen a bed bug presence, contribute to resistance, and can prohibit the effectiveness of a professional service. Our integrated pest management methodologies and specialized expertise ensure a thorough and conclusive outcome for any existing pest problem.
Keep Your Home or Business Pest-Free With Franklin
Franklin Pest Solutions remains committed to offering proven, reliable bed bug services to homes and businesses in Indiana and beyond. With a comprehensive approach that blends state-of-the-art technology with decades of industry experience, we are your go-to resource for all things pest-related. Get ahead of the problem and reclaim your peace of mind by contacting us today. Your local Franklin Pest Solutions team is ready to help.