Identification & Treatment
Bed bugs leave small, reddish-brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls. They leave small bite wounds in our skin which can become swollen and itchy. We may also see white molt skins and eggshells. They hide in our mattresses, box springs, dressers, electrical wall outlets, bed frames, cracks, picture frames, wallpaper and behind baseboards.
Treating bed bugs is best performed by a pest management professional with training in bed bug removal. DIY chemicals purchased online or in big box hardware centers are rarely effective. A well-established bed bug colony is difficult to remove. Many bed bugs are resistant to commonly used insecticides.
Homeowners should be wary of exterminators promising bed bug treatment for low fees. Their approach is to typically soak the entire room in chemicals and sell you a mattress encasement. The cure may be worse than the illness.