When you think of New Braunfels pest control issues, you probably think of cockroaches, scorpions, or even spiders. Bed bugs probably aren't the first things that come to mind. However, bed bugs can be a significant problem for New Braunfels home and business owners. Sitting between two of Texas's most populous cities, our little town is a prominent travel hub. We also have the world's largest service station. With all that travel going on, there are many opportunities for bed bugs to spread.
The Warning Signs Of Bed Bugs
If you have a bed bug infestation, it's unlikely you will immediately know it. Bed bugs are good at keeping out of sight and coming out to feed on you once they sense you're asleep. Even worse, you can easily mistake bed bug bites for mosquito or flea bites, making it take even longer to realize there is an issue.
However, if you start seeing the following signs, you know you have a problem:
- Small, brown bloodstains on the bed – these are bed bug feces.
- Things that look like tiny, white sesame seeds in your bed – these are bed bug eggs.
- Exoskeletons or dead bed bug bodies in your bed.
- Bites that appear in clusters or lines where your body contacts the bed.
If you start seeing these signs, there's a good chance you have a bed bug problem, even if you don't see any live bugs.
Just One Bed Bug Or A Full-Fledged Infestation?
You might see only one bed bug and hope that's the extent of the problem, but the hard truth is that there is rarely "just one" bed bug. Bed bugs are just like roaches in the sense that if you see one, there are probably dozens you aren't seeing.
If you find one bed bug, you should always assume there are more. Look for them in tight spaces like underneath mattress buttons or in-between seams. But don't just stick to the bed. You can find bed bugs just about anywhere, from between carpet fibers to underneath keyboard keys to behind light switch covers. Just about anywhere you can think of that bed bugs could hide – they've likely thought of it too.
How To Keep Bed Bugs From Reinfesting Your Home
Bed bug fumigation and heat treatments are not cheap. So if you've already had them done, you definitely don't want to do them again. And if you've never needed bed bug control, the same steps to avert reinfestation will also help you avoid ever having an initial infestation in the first place:
- When you travel, always check your hotel mattress for signs of bed bugs.
- Always wash and dry clothes on the highest setting as soon as you return home.
- Inspect luggage before bringing it back into your house, and make a habit of never laying it on any bed.
- Avoid secondhand shopping.
- If you must secondhand shop, check purchases before bringing them inside your home.
Following these steps can help you avoid unknowingly becoming the vector that brings bed bugs into your own home.
Professional Bed Bug Control Simply Formulated For New Braunfels Homes
For the best bed bug control services in New Braunfels, contact us here at Gold Star Exterminators. We know how to get rid of bed bugs in the Lone Star State, no matter how big or entrenched your infestation, and we can ensure they never come back. If you're ready to kick the bugs out of your bed, give us a call or visit our contact page to get started today!