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Apr 1, 2018

Frequently Asked General Bed Bug Questions


                Frequently Asked General Bed Bug Questions

 

 

We get thousands of questions each year about bed bugs, treatment methods and prevention tips. In this blog we will be covering some of these FAQ and their answers.  If you have further questions, or if your question isn’t listed here please feel free to reach out to us by calling 877-375-0005

How long does it take for a bed bug infestation to show up?

It only takes a few bed bugs start an infestation due to their fast reproduction rate.  A mated female can lay around 3 eggs a day if feeding is available, laying more than 300 eggs in her lifetime.  Small white eggs are cemented to discrete surfaces, near a host, and hatch in about 10 days.  This is when you could start seeing evidence of bugs.  First signs are often cast skins, blood marks, and fecal droppings.  You could also see live bugs around this time.  Nymphs resemble adults but are much smaller.  In order to grow, or molt, nymphs must acquire a blood meal.  Depending on the temperature, it takes nymphs about 100 days for the five molts to occur before mating can take place.  Roughly 1.5-2 months are required for a complete cycle from egg to mated adult bed bug.  Adult bed bugs live about 10 months, although without a host, bed bugs may live over a year.

If you are lucky and a male bed bug is the only hitchhiker, no infestation will develop.

Do bed bugs move quickly?

Bed bugs can crawl three to four feet per minute on most surfaces. That may not seem fast, but when scaled to human terms, the speed would equal that of an average adult sprinting.

Can bed bugs go away on their own?

Bed bugs can be resistant to chemicals found in some of the most common treatments. Using traditional methods the little bugs can take weeks, or even months to fully disappear. The quickest way to get rid of bed bugs is by using professional quality bed bug heaters.  Heat treatments can take between 8 and 24hrs, depending on your room and infestation size.  Heat can kill all the bed bugs during the first treatment, removing the need for multiple treatments.

How many days bed bugs can live without blood?

Scientists debate this point, but evidence suggests that at normal room temperature, bedbugs can survive two to three months without a blood meal.

How do you get rid of bed bugs permanently?

Here are some of the easiest ways to get rid of bed bugs permanently:

  • Know the signs of bed bug activity and perform heat treatments as quickly as possible.
  • Wash infested items in hot water and high heat dry cycle.
  • Be careful when traveling and always inspect your items before returning home.
  • Do not use bed bug bombs and or any repellent pesticides!

Perform professional heat treatments using Convectex Bed Bug Heaters at the FIRST sign of bed bug activity.  High heat should be held for 8-24 hours and proper pre and post heat procedures should be followed.  If performed correctly, 100% kill rate is achievable with just 1 treatment.

Does bleach kills bed bugs?

Yes, bleach does kill bed bugs (as most harsh chemicals will) and bleach sanitizes too, but you probably don't want to spray bleach all over your furniture, walls and carpet. There are much better options, that won't damage your home.  To learn more about safe and effective heat treatments, check out the Convectex heat packages!

Who is at risk for getting bed bugs?

Everyone is at risk for getting bed bugs when visiting an infected area. However, anyone who travels frequently or shares living/sleeping quarters where other people have previously slept has a higher risk of being bitten and/or spreading a bed bug infestation.  Cleanliness is not a factor in your likelihood of having a bed bug infestation.

1 in 5 have bed bugs

 

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