Bed Bug Facts

Bedbugs are making a big comeback all over the United States. And bed bug pest control in Houston is in high demand. Here are the main reasons attributed to their resurgence:

A) The most effective chemical in bedbug treatment for many years was DDT – it was banned in 1972!

B) The general public has shied away from pesticide use in & around their homes, opting instead for do it yourself solutions.

C) Many effective pesticides have been removed from the marketplace for both the professional operator & the homeowner.

D) International travel brings new cultures into our cities to live & work. Some of these cultures are more accepting of these pests!

E) The public is generally unaware of the signs of bedbugs or bedbug control. When they attempt a do it yourself solution, they fail!

F) According to the National Pest Management Association about 15% of licensed “Pest Control Operators” are properly trained to handle bedbugs.

According to research done at the University of Kentucky:

• Bedbugs are most active from 1am – 3:30am (any month of the year).

• Adult bedbugs can survive for at least 6 months without a blood feeding.

• Bedbugs will nest between 2 - 20 feet away from the hosts sleeping location.

• Bedbugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and prefer humans over any other host!

• It takes an average of 15 minutes for a bedbug to fully engorge during a blood meal.

• They like the dark, but will feed during the day if the location is dimly lit (movie theater).

• Unlike other household pests in the Houston area, bedbugs get all their water needs from a blood meal.

• One female can lay up to 12 eggs a day or 500 over her lifespan. She can also lay eggs for a month after a single mating.

• Bedbugs will travel up to 100 feet for a feeding opportunity but generally live no more than 10 – 20 feet from the feeding site.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE CURRENT TREATMENT METHODS

Fumigation:

This is the same gas/tenting technology used in treating a home for drywood termites. It’s extremely expensive and requires the occupants to relocate during the treatment period.

Steam/Heat Treatment:

Some companies offer a heat or steam treatment maintained at 120 degrees. These techniques are applied directly to the area of infestation. The equipment is expensive and requires expert training. It is very expensive and typically requires multiple treatments. The success rate is estimated at 75-90% and offers no residual killing effect for bedbugs that were not exposed to the heat at the time of treatment.

Bedbugs Proof Mattress Covers:

These covers are like buying a car. Some are cheap and some are pretty darn expensive. The problem with all of them is that you’ve done nothing about killing the bedbugs living in your home. They live behind baseboards, in cracks/crevices of your wooden furniture and even behind the picture frames on the walls. They can & will live in any one of a hundred other places in your home or business if not treated properly.

Bedlam:

This is an aerosol material offered by some pest control operators. We don’t recommend Bedlam as an effective tool against bedbugs. The label states mattresses and box springs should be cleaned & aired out before treatment. What happens to the bedbugs, nymphs & eggs that fall off during movement of the mattress & box springs? We can tell you that they won’t be killed during treatment. We can also tell you they’ll probably wait until the chemical odor has worn off and find their way back long after the treatment warranty has lapsed.

THE SOLUTION

A thorough inspection of your property followed by an intense treatment is the only solution. A follow-up treatment is a requirement and the use of an (Insect Growth Regulator) IGR is understood. Gulf Coast Exterminators uses only the most effective chemicals to kill bedbugs at your property. Our technicians know which have been failing and which chemicals have been proven effective in the laboratory and in the real world. We use Insect Growth Regulators on each job as if it the treatment were done in our own home.

No shortcuts, no gimmicky equipment and price gouging! We believe in doing it the old fashioned way. We kill bedbugs and we kill them with the most potent chemicals permitted by regulatory authorities. We follow the label and we offer a warranty!

For Gulf Coast Pest Control call Gulf Coast Exterminators today at 281-449-7404

Pest Control in Houston, Texas since 1991.