Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs take on a flat oval-shaped figure with 6 legs. They have a reddish-brown tinge that is further exasperated if they are full of human blood from a recent feeding.

One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:

• The bed bugs’ exoskeletons after shedding.
• Bed bugs in the folds of mattresses and sheets.
• Rusty–coloured blood spots due to their blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture.
• A sweet musty odor.

Bed bugs are experts at hiding. Their slim flat bodies allow them to fit into the smallest of spaces and stay there for long periods of time, even without a blood meal. Bed bugs are usually transported from place to place as people travel. 

Bed bugs travel in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, bedding, furniture, and anywhere else they can hide. Most people do not realize they are transporting stow-away bed bugs as they travel from location to location, infecting areas as they travel.

The only attraction for bed bugs is their main food source; human blood. They are attracted to the CO2 we emit from our bodies.

Baby bed bugs or nymphs are smaller than 1mm and start off with a yellow to light tan colour. They will darken and grow as they get older.

Everyone is at risk for getting bed bugs when visiting an infected area. However, anyone who travels frequently and shares living and sleeping quarters where other people have previously slept have a higher risk of being bitten and or spreading a bed bug infestation.

A single bed bug can lay up to five eggs in a single day and a their life span is roughly ten months, but some live up to one year. Which means that a single bed bug can create up to 1,825 new bed bugs in its lifetime. Bed bugs can spread very quickly.

Depending on a number of factors including age and average temperature a bed bug can last between 2 to 4 months without a blood meal.

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

Bed bugs are incapable of jumping. However, they can crawl very fast.

Similar to human hair, bed bugs are not designed to navigate through animal fur which is generally thicker. They are also only interested in human blood, unlike ticks and fleas.

If you have any more questions about bed bugs that our frequently asked questions didn’t answer, feel free to contact us.

Using anti-itch and anti-septic creams can help. Skin irritations if left untreated can become infected, be sure to consult with a doctor if the problem consists.

Adult bed bugs die at 119 degrees fahrenheit (48 degrees celsius), and their heat-resistant eggs require temperatures upwards of 125 degrees fahrenheit (52 degrees celsius). 

Bed Bug Heat Treatment is an effective and environmentally friendly method to eliminate bed bugs. By raising the temperature of an affected area to a level that is lethal for bed bugs, we ensure a comprehensive extermination, including eggs, without the use of harmful chemical pesticides.

Heat treatment has several advantages:

• Effectiveness: Heat penetrates areas that chemicals might not reach, eliminating bed bugs at all life stages.
• Safety: No chemical pesticides mean it’s safe for your family and pets.
• Convenience: Typically, only one treatment is needed, and your space can be used immediately after cooling down, without the worry of chemical residues.

Our Heat Relief team takes pride in guaranteeing a safe and environmentally friendly heat treatment that allows you to return to your treated space the same day! We do not use any chemicals in our treatment and our state of the art equipment has advanced heat monitors and safety shut down systems to prevent any fire hazards.

Absolutely. Our professionals are trained to identify items that may be sensitive to heat and will guide you on how to protect them. Most household items and structures can safely withstand our treatment temperatures. 

A heat treatment can take anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on the size of treatment area, severity of infestation and accessibility.

A heat treatment can take anywhere from 4-8 hours depending on the size of treatment area, severity of infestation and accessibility.

You’ll receive a detailed checklist, which includes removing heat-sensitive items, preparing clothing, providing access to all areas of your home, and a few other simple steps to ensure the treatment is as effective as possible.

Visit our “Pricing” Page

Simply contact us via our website or phone. We’ll arrange for an initial phone call to discuss your needs and schedule a convenient treatment time.