Have you ever had to deal with a bed bug infestation? It is nothing to be ashamed of - it’s far more common than you might think! Statistics show that Knoxville is among the top cities in the United States for bed bugs! These tiny pests are expert hitchhikers and can be carried into your home on luggage, shoes, clothing, and pets! Due to their small size and habit of hiding in the seams of couches and mattresses, up to 92% of infestations are only discovered after someone notices bed bug bites and arranges for bed bug treatment in Knoxville! However, there are some steps that you can take to deter bed bugs from your home!

How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs?

As noted above, bed bugs are tiny insects, no bigger than an apple seed, that you may not be able to see easily with the naked eye, especially given their talent for hiding. However, they feed on blood and often leave red, itchy bites behind, which trigger their victim to seek bed bug treatment in Knoxville. Bed bug bites are not dangerous, but they can trigger an allergic reaction in some people and are incredibly uncomfortable! However, bites are not the only warning sign that you may have a bed bug infestation. Some of the other signs that could indicate that you need bed bug treatment in Knoxville include the following:

• Small Bloodstains On Bedding
• Bites
• Musty, Sweet Smell
• Reddish Brown Stains
• Fecal Stains
• Eggs
• Shell Casings

What is The Main Source of Bed Bugs?

There is a widely held misconception that bed bugs are only found in dirty homes. This certainly isn’t the case with even five-star hotels having a brush with bed bugs! The truth is that bed bugs are not picky and will happily live in a clean or dirty home. It is worth noting that clutter makes it easier for them to go undetected as it provides many hiding spots, but the same applies to many types of pests!

The key thing to remember about bed bugs is that they are hitchhikers, so they can be easily carried into your home from other infested places. It is straightforward to pick them up in public places with a lot of foot traffic, so it is a good idea to be vigilant for the signs of bedbugs when visiting hotels or buying second-hand furniture. Some of the most common places to pick up bed bugs and transport them into your home include:

• Hotels & Motels
• Public Transport
• Second-Hand Stores
• Other People’s Homes
• Work

What Can I Do to Deter Bed Bugs?

The best thing you can do to deter bed bugs is to avoid bringing them home in the first place! You can do this by paying attention to the signs described above in public places with a high risk of bed bugs. However, you can take a few steps at home to minimize the risk of an infestation requiring bed bug treatment in Knoxville.

• Store Clothes in Vacuum-Sealed Bags When Traveling - Since hotels are a common source of bed bugs, a great way to prevent bed bugs from hitching a ride when you are traveling is to pack your clothing in vacuum-sealed bags.
• Vacuum Frequently - While it can be tricky to remove a bed bug infestation without the help of professional bed bug treatment in Knoxville, if you catch it while there are just one or two bugs that have been carried in, you may be able to remove them by vacuuming. Vacuum the carpets, mattresses, and couches regularly and dispose of the waste immediately in your outside trash in case bed bugs have been picked up.
• Remove Clutter - While bed bugs are not particularly attracted to dirty or messy homes if you have a lot of clutter, it does give bed bugs and other pests more places to hide! It can also make effective bed bug treatment in Knoxville more difficult.
• Use Mattress Covers - Since bed bugs are often found in beds, adding a mattress cover to your bed can help protect it from infestations.
• Check your Pets - Cats and Dogs can be bitten by bed bugs too, and they may also carry bed bugs into your home on their paws or fur. It is a good idea to check your pets regularly for evidence of pests.
• Check Second-hand Items - Everyone loves a good bargain, but when purchasing second-hand items, particularly clothes and furniture, it is essential to check them thoroughly for bed bugs before bringing them inside your home.

How to Remove Bed Bugs

Even with all the precautions outlined above, there is still a possibility that you might end up with bed bugs. They are almost impossible to remove by DIY methods once the infestation has taken hold. However, all is not lost. With professional bed bug treatment in Knoxville, your home can once again be free from pests. At Otis Termite & Pest Control, we utilize thermal heat treatment to eradicate live bed bugs and their eggs!

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.