Bed bugs are a common pest throughout the United States, although their prevalence does vary from region to region. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), bed bug infestations have been on the rise in recent years. Despite their name, they are not restricted to your bed! Bed bug infestations can occur in a variety of settings, including homes, hotels, schools, and public transportation.

It's important to note that anyone can encounter bed bugs, regardless of cleanliness or socioeconomic status. Traveling, used furniture, and shared living spaces are common sources of infestations. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it's essential that you seek out bed bug treatment in Knoxville to address it promptly to prevent further spread. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of since they have built up an immunity to most pesticides, so it is essential to opt for professional bed bug treatment in Knoxville instead of attempting a DIY treatment. At Otis Pest Control, we use an effective thermal heat treatment to eradicate bed bug infestations.

Where Are bed bugs Usually Found?

As noted above, bed bugs are not just limited to your sleeping quarters. The truth is that they gravitate to any human habitat where they will have an endless food source. Let's take a look at some of the most common areas of your home where bed bugs might gather.

• Wallpaper - bed bugs are incredibly small and no wider than your credit card's width. This allows them to fit into very small spaces - including behind your wallpaper. If you have loose spots in your wallpaper or behind wall hangings, bed bugs could start to colonize that space. If you spot them, it is important to book professional bed bugs in Knoxville.
• Baseboards - Another common spot for bed bugs to gather is behind the baseboards. They can squeeze into the smallest of cracks where the baseboard meets the wall or the flooring.
• Furniture - Bed bugs feed on human blood, so they are always found in a human environment. This makes any furniture, such as chairs, couches, and, of course, beds, a prime location for these pests to set up home. Take a close look at any seams and joins in the furniture for evidence that you might be in need of bed bug treatment in Knoxville.
• Mattresses - Of course, bed bugs are also found in beds, but more specifically in the mattress. This is somewhere you will particularly want to check if you are spending the night in a motel, as many travelers bring bed bugs home.
• Luggage - Luggage is a common way that bed bugs manage to hitchhike into your home, so whenever you have been traveling, make sure you take time to inspect the seams of your luggage before bringing it inside the house on your return!
• Vehicles - It is also common for bed bugs to be found in the upholstery of vehicles. School buses and truck cabins, in particular, are often infested with bed bugs.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Your Home?

When we perform bed bug treatment in Knoxville, our customers often ask how they got bed bugs! There is a common misconception that bed bugs only inhabit dirty homes and cheap motels, but that certainly is not the case. Even upmarket department store Bloomingdale's and the five-star Waldorf Astoria hotel have had a brush with bed bugs! It can happen to anyone. In fact, it is believed that as many as 1 in 5 American households will experience a bed bug infestation. Bed Bugs are professional hitchhikers and will often be carried into your home on coats, luggage, shoes, or pets. They are also tiny and have the ability to squeeze into the smallest of cracks around your home. It doesn't really matter where they came from; the important thing is to promptly arrange for bed bug treatment in Knoxville to take care of the problem!

Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.