Do bed bugs only come out at night?
No. Although a bed bug prefers hiding in dark places, they will feed during the day if conditions are favorable. Eg: Curtains closed, blinds down, lights out, no disruptions, desperately seeking food, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bed bug mattress covers work?
Mattress covers do not eliminate the problem, but they do take away common hiding spots such as seams. This makes a bed bug easier to spot. A mattress cover will preserve the mattress by protecting it from feces and blood stains.
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
Not likely. A trained pest control technician has the expertise and experience that is essential for a successful bed bug eradication. To properly treat the problem, there are multiple areas of the home that need to be prepared and treated, not just the bed. Moreover, over the counter pesticides are ineffective compared to professional grade treatments.
Can bed bugs spread diseases?
At this point, there is no scientific evidence that bed bugs can spread diseases. which means you have more to worry about with a mosquito than the dreaded bed bug.
Can I solve my problem by leaving the house for a month or two?
No. A bed bug can survive without "food" for months. Therefore, unfortunately, leaving the home for several months will not force the extinction of your bed bug problem.
Common Misconceptions
Misconception #1
Bed bugs are so small that they are invisible to the human eye.
Reality
Incorrect. Hatched babies are 1 to 2mm in size, and a fully grown adult bed bug can grow up to 3 to 5mm in size and are reddish brown color.
Misconception #2
Only the lower class of society gets bed bugs.
Reality
Bed bugs don't discriminate! They affect all classes of society, whether you are clean or dirty, and regardless of how much money you make.
Misconception #3
Bed bugs are not a problem because only my partner gets bitten.
Reality
Scientists believes that up tp 70% of the population do not react to bed bug bug bites.
Misconception #4
You can eliminate your bed bug problem by throwing out your mattress.
Reality
Bed bugs infest all kinds of items, including dressers, sofas, electronics, and more!
Misconception #5
Bed bugs only live on bed frames, mattresses, bed sheets, and pillow cases.
Reality
Bed bugs live on beds, and everywhere else in your home!
Misconception #6
Bed Bugs can survive 8 months to a year without feeding.
Reality
False mostly. This is a very popular bed bug myth you’ll see everywhere on the web. The truth is, a bed bug will be able to survive that long only if its adult and spends the whole 1 year at a temperature of 50°, which is very hard to accomplish. In a room with the most favorable temperature for the insects (70-80°), bed bugs will survive for only 100 days without food.
Misconception #7
Bed Bugs are not predictable.
Reality
False, Bed bugs feed every 10-12 days. A typical bed bug would prefer not to spend more than 10 minutes on its victim. Another typical feature is that this insect would live as near as possible to the victim. That’s why bed bugs usually live under the mattress – it’s simply very close to the sleeping person.
Misconception #8
Bed bugs have wings and can jump or fly.
Reality
This is not true at all. Still, there are many people who ask “Can bed bugs fly?”. Bed bugs are unable to fly, they can’t even jump (this is what ticks do). The only way for bed bugs to move is by crawling.
Misconception #9
Exterminators can fix problem with one treatment.
Reality
If pesticides are used, one treatment might not be enough. It is very hard to remediate bed bugs with one treatment. The nymph cycle of the bug is 14 days. This means eggs will hatch within 14 days of being laid. This is the main proponent as to why a second treatment is paramount.
PEST PREP'S IN THE PRESS
See what our Founder Richard Kane had to say to AM New York, and in a new Brick Underground article; Just click below.
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Bed bugs mutate and flourish in NYC, even as complaints drop
BY SHEILA ANNE FEENEY
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Should you pay for a pest inspection before closing on an apartment?
BY PHILLIP PANTUSO
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RENTERS: KNOW YOUR BED BUG RIGHTS
BHY LUCY COHEN BLATTER
We pride ourselves on our ethics. This is what separates Pest Prep NYC from other companies. We choose to educate our customers.
If bed bugs invade your life, there are some key steps one should always remember...
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Fact 1
The Nymph or birth cycle of the bed bug is 14 days. This means it takes 14 days for an egg to hatch once it has been laid. It will not impede the success of your remediation or manifest into a severe infestation if you take a day or 3 to process what has happened here in your home. Consult an ethical professional and do your due diligence. Don't feel pressured to act hastily. Take your time and do it right the first time. -
Fact 2
Having Bed Bugs is binary, they are either there or they are not. That is why it is very important to get a neutral inspection done, either visually or with a K9. This is a harder task to accomplish than you might think. It is paramount that this inspection be objective. The way to secure objectivity is by not giving clues. Allow the inspection to be done unbiasedly.
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Fact 3
Bed Bug preparation is the most important part of the extermination process. All clothing needs to be washed and dried or dry cleaned before packing items up for remediation. We alleviate this step with our thermal treatments. We can process all of your belongings from paper, books, area rugs, stuffed animals, children's toys, clothing, shoes, and just about anything you own. best part is we are a green organization. We do all this without any toxic chemicals, and we guarantee all of our work -
Fact 4
If you, yourself have found a live bugs or bugs, there is no reason to waste money on an inspection. You already know they are there.
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Fact 5
If using a K9 Inspection and the dog alerts to something in your home, that does not necessarily mean that you have a bed bug problem. The K9 is a tool that the inspector should use. It is not the do all or say all. A hammer can not build a house. The carpenter uses the hammer the same way an inspector should use the K9. Repeat this line outloud: "The dog said I have bed bugs." Sounds silly, right? That's because it is. You should not take this as a thorough inspection. If the animal alerts to something, the inspector should then take out his flashlight AND INSPECT. This by definition is what you are retaining their services for. If this not done, you have not gotten an inspection. Instead, someone just walked their dog around your home. Don't be fooled. -
Fact 6
The smartest Lassie caliber level of intelligence in K9s, equals the mental capacity of a three year old child. Don't take our word for it, watch this video from Lou Sorkin, the head entomologist at the Museum of Natural History, here in NYC and the world's foremost expert on Bed Bugs on ABC's 20/20.
Most importantly, take a deep breath and Don't Panic! I assure you, this is a fixable problem. Don't be embarrassed, you have done nothing wrong. Because it is natural for human nature to dictate, we tend to make rash decisions under stress. And although this is a lengthy process and impossible to be rectified "immediately" or "within a day". it is still undoubtedly doable! Lastly, call us and ask for me, Richard Kane. I am the founder of Pest Prep NYC and am always here to help. Kindness is free to give, and priceless to receive. All the best,
- RK
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Thanks to all who attended the Q&A at NYSFEC . For those who missed it, and would like a recording of this informative day contact us @ info@pestprepnyc.com.
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