Serving Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky

Once a common public health pest, the bedbug declined in incidence through the mid 20th century. Recently, this trend has begun to reverse and bed bugs have undergone a dramatic resurgence.

Adult bed bugs are wingless with an oval shape, 5-6mm long when fully grown, and are fast runners. They are rust brown in color and change to a deeper red brown following a blood meal. The juveniles tend to be paler in color and smaller in length (from 1-4mm). Bed bugs are flat which allows them to hide in narrow cracks and crevices, making detection difficult.

Adult bed bugs can live for 6 months at room temperatures and much longer in colder climates. All bed bugs regardless of age or sex require blood for nutrition and development. After mating, females lay 2-3 eggs a day throughout their lifespan. The cream-colored eggs (1mm in length) are cemented on the rough surfaces of hiding places and normally hatch within/around 10 days at room temperature, this may take longer in cooler conditions.

Bed bugs tend to shelter in dark locations, mostly close to where people sleep. This includes under mattresses, floorboards, paintings, and carpets, behind skirting, in various cracks and crevices of walls, within bed frames and other furniture, and behind loose wallpaper. Bed bugs tend to stay in close contact with each other and heavy infestations are accompanied by a distinctively sweet ‘buggy’ smell. Blood spots on mattresses and nearby furnishings is often a tell-tale sign of an infestation. Commons bed bugs infestation exposures are staying in motels (regardless of price range) and having guest over. Being more a nuisance than health concern, they do not appear to spread disease to humans. The main concern is the risk of infection from scratching the bite. If you do not scratch, the bite usually goes away within hours or days, without treatment.

Adult Bed Bug

Bed Bug Bites

Although there are measures that individuals can use to assist Pest Management Professionals in eliminating bed bug infestations, this is a pest that can not be eliminated without professional intervention. It is a waste of money and time to purchase any chemicals or materials at your local retail stores. In some instances, these “do-it-yourself” treatments can cause increased activity and just give bed bugs more time to multiply and spread. Do yourself a favor and call a professional!

Our pricing for bed bug treatments is determined by three (3) variables

• 1) Size of structure(s) to be treated
• 2) Amount of furniture to be treated
• 3) Level of infestation

Unfortunately, we cannot give estimates without an inspection. Our inspection pricing begins at $75.00. If we are retained to perform a bed bug treatment, the inspection fee will be waived.