Adolescent bed bug (Photo credit: StarMaster)

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have gotten a lot of publicity lately. You want to keep them out of your house, but may not even be sure about what the actual bug looks like or, what a real bed bug bite looks like.

What Bed Bugs Look Like

To explain a bit about their appearance, Bed bugs generally look similar to seeds. They are relatively small in size and are flat. The problem with bed bugs is they go through many changes throughout their life and they look different at each stage of their life cycle. They also have a different appearance before a feeding as to after a feeding.

Reproduction of Bed Bugs

The first hatched bed bug is very small and almost clear in color. It is visible by the naked eye but is only about 1.5 mm long. That means, it is about the size and shape of a small seed from an apple. Once it feeds, the bug becomes swollen and turns a reddish color.

After it molts, it grows to about 2 mm long. A bed bug molts five times before reaching the adult stage. It slowly grows and slowly turns brown. An adult bed bug is about 5.5 mm long and is solid brown. A female bed bug has the capability of laying up one to five eggs day, which hatch only 7 to 10 days later. Female bedbugs can lay 500 eggs in their lifetime and considering their life span can only extend to up to 300 days, you can only imagine how quickly these pesky bugs multiply.

eaten alive (Photo credit: The Guncle)

Identifying Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites are small red bumps that have a tendency to itch. They are normally found in clusters or straight lines on the body. A large rash may develop, if there is a severe reaction to the bite. Bites can also become infected so it is important to keep bed bug bites clean to avoid any potential infections.

Even if you don’t have bed bugs bites, it is important to check your house for these pests. I recommend doing this because most people aren’t aware that they could have bed bugs even if they don’t have bites. This is because every person reacts a bit different when bitten by a bed bug. Plus, it is predicted that about thirty percent of people don’t show any reaction at all when bitten by a bed bug.

Common Places to Find these Bugs

Bed bugs like to hide out near their food, which is why they are most commonly found in mattresses and bedding. They have also been known to hide in closets and behind picture frames. They are small so any small cracks in walls, furniture or flooring make for a good home for bed bugs. They also like televisions, phones, and radios.

Getting rid of the bed bugs is not any easy task. The help of a bed bug control expert will be needed. The bed bug expert will be able to guide you through the process to make sure that the bed bugs are gone for good.

Article was written by Sarah Smith who encourages those living in or around Connecticut, contact Bed Bug Finders LLC at first sign of a possible bed bug infestation.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

Spring cleaning is a time to start fresh. For many families, that means getting rid of clutter, scrubbing down surfaces and implementing new organizational systems. Although not often thought about, pest prevention should be part of the spring cleaning process as well. As temperatures increase, a wide variety of pests make their move on unsuspecting homeowners. To keep them at bay, it is important to implement the following tips.

Take Away Their Food Source

If pests are able to find food inside your house, it is going to be difficult to get rid of them. Start the prevention process in your kitchen. Make sure that your trash can has a tight fitting lid; if it does not, consider picking up a new one. Also, clean both the outside and inside of your receptacle. A small tear in your trash bag can mean a large mess that pests will find appetizing. Finally, commit yourself to daily maintenance. It is important that you load your dishwasher each evening rather than allowing dishes to remain in the sink. In addition, keep the counters clean and the floors swept for best results.

Clean Up Standing Water

Go into all of your bathrooms, as well as your kitchen, and check under the sinks to make sure the pipes are not leaking. If you spot an issue, have it corrected as soon as possible. In addition, if you have an area of your home, like the basement, that seems damp or humid, set up a dehumidifier to take care of the problem. Pests are attracted to water, so leaving these issues unresolved is a recipe for disaster.

Prevent Nesting

Walk around the perimeter of your home, and examine the foundation closely. In order to keep bugs from viewing your home as their home, it may be necessary to complete a few projects. For instance, there should be at least once inch of space between the wood on your home and the soil from the yard. In addition, all mulch should be kept approximately a foot and a half away from the foundation. Finally, if you notice any cracks or small holes, make sure you close them up right away.

As a general rule, it is also a good idea to make sure that all your doors and windows have screens on them. This will make it much more difficult for a pest to gain access to your living space. In addition, keep all shrubbery trim and down away from your home.

As you get ready to begin the spring cleaning process, it is important not to forget about pest prevention. A little bit of work now can make a huge difference when warmer weather rolls around.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Morgan is a proud mother, who enjoys spending her days discovering fun and interesting things to do with her young son. At night, she is an avid writer and solves all her pest problems with the help of a Jersey City Pest Control company.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

Bed bugs have become problematic throughout Canada. As more immigrants and tourists enter the country from places where these pests are common, bed bugs travel in with their luggage. They take up residence in many hotels and can spread to workplaces when visitors attend conferences or even visit a restaurant. Bed bugs can be found nearly anywhere. However, there are several places they commonly hide once they enter the home.

Finding Bed bug Infestations

Bed bugs often hide along the seams of mattresses. They can also be found under furniture or beds. Some people have found these pests hiding in corners, under rugs or along the edges of carpeted rooms. Some people also notice a musky scent near the site of a bed bug infestation. Many people notice several small red bumps on their skin, which often appear in a row. Although these could also be indicators of other types of bites or skin irritants, they are often bed bug bites when aligned in a neat row.

Exterminating Bed bug Populations

Although there are many home treatments and remedies available on the Internet, it is important to remember that not all products work simply because the site owner makes such claims. Bedbug removal has always been one of the most difficult processes. In decades past, some frustrated homeowners even burned their houses to the ground. However, treatments have improved since those days. The most effective method of completely eradicating these pests is to call a professional bed bug exterminator.

What Professional Bed Bug Exterminators Do

There are a variety of extermination methods used by pest control professionals. The products they use are much more effective than treatments purchased in stores. They use special application methods and have professional tools and devices. Some companies may use all-natural methods or chemical-free substances instead of the more powerful chemicals.

What To Look For In An Extermination Company

It is best to work with a company that has sufficient experience in bed bug removal. A good company will have a service guarantee, which means that customers will receive a refund if the treatments are ineffective. When speaking with an extermination company on the telephone, consumers should ask if treatments are designed specifically for bed bugs. If a company does not provide treatments specifically for this pest and does not offer a satisfaction guarantee, it is better to continue searching for exterminators. Most Canadian extermination companies that have storefronts are legitimate businesses with the proper credentials. Consumers should beware of individuals offering independent extermination services in newspapers or through advertisements. If the person does not represent an established company that can be contacted to verify employment, consumers should avoid such individuals. Reading online consumer reviews from unbiased third-party sites is also a wise idea.

While it is important to eradicate bed bugs as quickly as possible, Canadian consumers should also take the necessary time to hire a reliable exterminator. Hiring the wrong company or individual could be a costly mistake, and bed bug infestations only grow if they are not properly removed.

Featured images:

• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: depositphotos.com

Sandy Corriveau is a Canadian based blogger about all topics related to the home. When in need of pest control, she uses Heat-N-Go Pest Control.  Heat-N-Go knows how to get rid of bed bugs safely and effectively.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

It’s about that time of year again. The weather starts warming up, and bugs and other pests start making their rounds, looking for food and shelter. If you dread spring and summer because spiders, rats and ants give you the heebie-jeebies, then you’re in luck because we have a few tips to keep those uninvited guests out. How rude of them to not even ask for an invitation!

Chemicals Don’t Have to Be the Answer 

While many people quickly turn towards chemicals to keep unwanted pests from stepping foot in their homes, there are easier (and safer) ways to go about getting the job done. For starters, do a complete walkthrough of the inside and outside of your home. Look for cracks or gaps in your walls, and the foundation of your home. Many critters can find their way into our homes without us even realizing we basically had a red carpet leading them directly to our cozy living quarters. Fill imperfections with caulk as you find them to nip the problem in the bud before it becomes an extermination issue.

Door and windows are two of the most common ways for an unwanted visitor to sneak inside. Verify that doors close snuggly or have a sweep beneath them and that window screens are in good condition. It may be time to swap out for better screens if yours appear aged and if you plan on leaving your front door open during the warm weather, having a working screen there too is a must.

Don’t Allow Your Home to Become a Pest Vacation Retreat

If your yard or inside of your home is providing everything those nasty bugs require, why would they want to live anywhere else? Having an unkept yard with many hiding places (such as tall grass or overgrown bushes) and standing water can mean infestation time. Mosquitoes, for example, only require less than an ounce of water to begin reproducing and no one likes those itchy bites – not your pets, children or company.

Tiding Up and Removing Gourmet Meals

Many home owners provide food on the daily for pests without even realizing it. Dog food should be stored in plastic containers and not left outside for other animals to feast upon. The same can be said about garbage. Having an overflowing trash can not only makes a yard less appealing on the eyes but can feed a large number of pests, which your neighbors won’t be very happy about, either. Once they find a place to call ‘home’, it can be very tricky to get them out.

Speaking of cleanliness, it’s important that you not only keep the exterior of your home tidied up and maintained but the interior is just as important. If pests come into your home and find nothing to eat, they are likely to turn right around and leave the way they entered. However, if they find dirty dishes, messy carpets and un-swept floors, there isn’t going to be much reason for them not to stick around. The last thing you need is for them to call their buddies for a chow session. Rats will not only locate food in your home but burrow inside your walls, chew your electrical components and leave feces throughout your residence, which is extremely dangerous, especially when you have children or pets who may ingest the droppings. 

Turn Off That Welcome Sign

Food, water and the warmth of shelter attract a variety of animals and bugs. One thing many new home owners forget, especially if this is going to be your very first summer in your new home, is that light brings moths, and mosquitoes straight to your property. It’s like a huge ‘Vacancy’ sign at a hotel telling them to come check out the place and stay a while.

The Effect of Light on Insects and What You Can Do to Minimize the Effects

When it’s dark out, bugs navigate via something known as ‘phototaxis’, which describes how they act around light. Many insects are attracted to light and will do just about anything to get close to it. Cockroaches, on the other hand, are the opposite; they avoid lights like the plague. Hence, why you’ll see them run for cover when your flip that light switch in the middle of the night.

If you’re worried about the lights outside your home, it may be time to install motion detectors so they only come on when you need them. This way, when you’re hanging out in your backyard with your friends, you aren’t as likely to have bugs get in the way of your nice weekend get-together. Another solution would be replacing your current bulbs for CFL bulbs, because these do not attract pests to your doorstep as UV lighting options do.

Rupert Grant is a dealer of Fly Screens in Melbourne & Sydney.  With the onset of summer there are a lot of cases of bugs and pests that come up, but he feels that by taking certain simple measures we can get rid of them. He likes blogging and writes articles on a variety of topics.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

Pests don’t discriminate; they flock in equal numbers to homes, apartments, condos and townhouses. Regardless of where you live, you have probably encountered bugs in your living space on more than one occasion. For many, it often seems that as soon as they fix one pest problem, another equally annoying bug makes its presence known. This is frustrating and confusing, particularly if you feel you’ve taken the appropriate steps to protect your home. Why is it that bugs keep coming back time and time again? The following information will provide you with a little insight into the situation.

Supply and Demand

Just like people, bugs have to eat to survive. You have a readily available source of food, and the pests near your home can smell it. They also realize that in order to access their next meal, they have to gain entry into your living space. Whether it’s ants, a mouse or even a few roaches, the pests are going to keep coming back as long as your home has food in it.

Rapid Reproduction

Unlike people, pests tend to reproduce in very large numbers. In particular, spiders and insects may have several hundred babies at one time. This rapid reproduction has a significant impact on your efforts to control the number of pests in your home. For example, most bugs, when faced with having to feed such a large number of offspring, will become very persistent in their efforts to gain entry into your home. After all, once inside, they can provide their little ones with a nearly unlimited supply of food, as well as shelter. Also, if the bugs lay eggs inside your living space, you may find that those eggs are not affected by pest sprays. Therefore, just when you think you have the problem under control, the eggs hatch and everything starts all over again.

Unfavorable Weather Conditions

Some bugs are tougher than others. For example, roaches deal well with extreme temperatures, rain and a number of other weather conditions. However, other pests aren’t so resilient. Bed bugs, for instance, prefer to be warm and will therefore do everything in their power to get inside your home in the wintertime. Once they get used to their surroundings, they are unlikely to leave, even as the seasons change. They are just one example of the many pests that make comfort a priority, hijacking your living space and making themselves at home despite your best efforts to ward them off.

If you are having trouble getting rid of pests, remember that the situation does not illustrate a failure on your part. As the examples above have shown, most bugs are determined, resilient little creatures that are seeking food and shelter. Try to use this knowledge in your favor as you continue the battle to keep these pesky creatures outside, where they belong.

Morgan is a proud mother, who enjoys spending her days discovering fun and interesting things to do with her young son. At night, she is an avid writer and solves all her pest problems with the help of a Jersey City Pest Control company.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

A bed bug nymph feeding on host (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What happens if you have a bed-bug infestation? Bed bugs in a home can bring about a number of health conditions, including allergies, skin rashes and even psychological effects. If bitten, you may experience symptoms on your skin such as itching and redness. Bed bugs feed on blood, usually that of animals, but they will move on to humans if it is the only blood available. Bed lice are attracted by carbon dioxide, warmth and certain chemicals and tend to live longer in colder temperatures.

How Do They Spread?

Your house can become infected with bed bugs for various reasons. They can be carried on other people’s clothes, luggage or infested pets. If a nearby house or flat is infested, the bed bugs can move through walls or false ceilings. Some animals, such as bats and birds, can also bring them into buildings. The source of infestations also includes eggs which may have been laid in the seams of clothing.

How Can I Detect Them?

Bed bugs are usually nocturnal so it can be difficult to spot them. They tend to nest in dark areas and often lay thousands of eggs in the seams of fabrics. Signs that you may have a bed-bug infestation include bites on the body, droppings similar in appearance to sand, spots of blood on bed sheets and patches of skin which they have shed (this is actually an exoskeleton which is moulted). Bed bugs have a characteristic smell of rotten raspberries. The most accurate way to find the exact location of an infestation is with a bed-bug-detection dog, which speeds up the process considerably

Why Are Infestations So Frequent?

Between the 1930s and 1980s, the rate of outbreaks fell dramatically. However, since the 1980s infestations have seen a sharp increase. It has been suggested that this is because of resistance to pesticides and an increase in international travel, which helps the insects spread. There are several different species of bed bug around the world, but it is the common bed bug which is most adapted to human environments.

How Can They Be Eradicated?

It is a good idea to call in a professional who is used to tackling bed-bug outbreaks. When it comes to pest control services Dublin residents have a range of companies to choose from. They tend to approach the issue with several different approaches at a time, using both pesticide and non-pesticide methods. The most effective seems to be a combination of heating and drying the affected area.

Amy Jones is a writer and blogger who is interested in various aspects and problems of living in the modern world. She wrote this article on behalf of Total Pest Control Services Dublin.

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Guest Post Published by Bulwark

English: Mother Arizona Bark Scorpion giving birth (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Scorpions are one of Las Vegas NV’s most dreaded and misunderstood pests. This fear is a result of their frightening appearance, and their capability to sting the unsuspecting public. This fear has also led to a few popular myths about these Las Vegas pests:

1.  All scorpions are killers. Being stung by a scorpion is usually not fatal, unless they sting small children, the elderly, or someone with a week immune system. Out of the 1,500 different species of scorpions found around the world, only 25 species have venom that is powerful enough to kill humans. The most poisonous scorpion, the Arizona Bark Scorpion, is found in Las Vegas. The stings of the other species are usually not serious and usually result in localized pain with some swelling and tenderness. Some people are allergic to scorpion venom, and if a sting seems serious, call the National Poison Control Center toll-free at (800) 222-1222.

2.  Scorpion venom is lethal. Their neurotoxins only target specific kinds of prey, usually different species of insects. For humans, a scorpion sting is usually less painful than a wasp or bee sting. I wouldn’t recommend going out and getting stung by a scorpion to find out, but it’s important to understand that they are not as lethal as some folks believe. Scorpion venom destroys red blood cells, producing localized discoloration at the sting site and painful swelling.

3.  The bigger the scorpion, the deadlier. The opposite is actually true. While all bark scorpions are dangerous, the smaller one’s venom is more potent.

4.  Scorpions can commit suicide with their own venom. The muscular and nervous systems of scorpions are actually not affected by the molecules contained in scorpion venom.

5.  Scorpions prefer living inside homes. A scorpion’s natural habitat is the outdoors. Some species make burrows, while others just hide under logs, rocks, boards, and trash. Bark scorpions live on vertical surfaces such as trees, bushes, and walls. They sometimes do wander into our homes looking for water which debunks another myth that scorpions don’t drink.

6.  Scorpions can breath underwater. Have you ever worried about swimming in a pool on a hot Las Vegas afternoon, and being stung by a live scorpion? Rest easy. Although scorpions can hold their breath for several minutes, they are poor swimmers and cannot breath underwater.

7.  Surrounding a scorpion with a ring of fire will result in it stinging itself to death. This is a myth that has been retold for many years. Although the scorpion would become highly agitated, it wouldn’t be able to kill itself. Like I mention before, scorpions are immune to their own venom.

8.  Black scorpions are more deadly then pale ones. Although the black scorpions are bigger and more menacing in appearance, just the opposite is true. Watch out for the small yellowish ones.
9.  Pouring liquor on a scorpion kills it.

10. You cannot kill scorpions with pest control products. This may have been the case 20 years ago, but with innovation and technology this statement doesn’t hold true anymore. Las Vegas pest control companies offer state-of-the-art effective pest control products.

Scorpions are helpful pests that are a vital part of Las Vegas’ natural Eco-systems. They play intricate roles of both predator and prey. Just because scorpions are vital to the ecosystem, that doesn’t mean you want them in or around your home.

If you are seeing scorpions in or around your property, contact a Las Vegas pest control professional today!

Bulwark Exterminating
3932 Octagon Road
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 255-6363
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

K-9 Sweeps LLC: Bed Bug Control
& K9 Scent Detection
8201 Woodland Prairie Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89129
(702) 586-5179
k-9sweeps.com

Orkin
4550 Ziebart Pl # A
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 597-9760
orkin.com

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This Nation’s bedbug problem is real, and a growing area of concern in Las Vegas, NV. A consumer report, reported by ABC News earlier this year, ranks the city of Las Vegas as the 16th most infected bedbug city in the United States. The cities of Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, and Los Angeles make up the top five most infested cities in that order.

Bedbugs were thought to be a thing of the past, but now every state has had reports of the tiny pests. Since exterminators can no longer legally use the same pesticides they used in the 1950s to get rid of, they now must get creative to stop a bedbug epidemic. Here’s an informative graphic that helps us understand this growing epidemic even more:

For those of you concerned about bedbugs in one of the major Las Vegas hotels or resorts, rest easy. Many of the bedbug reports are coming from private residents. These resorts take great measures in assuring their rooms a bedbug free. If you are doing some traveling to Las Vegas in the near future, and are worried about the possibility of bringing bedbugs home with you, check out the website BedBugRegistry.com. The website allows you to check and see if your hotel has had any recent reported bedbug activity. Make sure to keep in mind that just because a hotel had a bedbug report once, it doesn’t mean it has a widespread problem. Also, understand that these are all personal reports by travelers and the ability to authenticate each and every account is impossible. What might be a harmless insect to a professional can be a bedbug to a worn out traveler.

If you are a Las Vegas resident, and suspect that you have brought bedbugs into your home, it’s best that you call a professional pest control company immediately. Bedbugs are very difficult to get rid of, and even scientists have discovered that the bugs are now more resistant to once effective pesticides.

For General Pest Control:

Bulwark Exterminating
3932 Octagon Road
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 255-6363
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

For Bedbug Control:

K-9 Sweeps LLC:
Bedbug Pest Control & K9 Scent Detection
8201 Woodland Prairie Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89129
(702) 586-5179
k-9sweeps.com

Heat Bed Bugs
Las Vegas, NV
(866) 674-7779
heatbedbugs.com

Las Vegas K9
9811 West Charleston Boulevard #2
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 875-5859
lasvegask-9.com

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For Las Vegas Roach Control:

Bulwark Exterminating
3932 Octagon Road
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 255-6363
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

K-9 Sweeps LLC: Bed Bug Control
& K9 Scent Detection
8201 Woodland Prairie Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89129
(702) 586-5179
k-9sweeps.com

Orkin
4550 Ziebart Pl # A
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 597-9760
orkin.com

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Imagine the horror of finding a spider living inside your ear. That was exactly the case for one Chinese woman this week. The unidentified woman had been suffering from some ear irritation for five days when she finally decided to seek medical attention. Dr. Liu Sheng, the woman’s physician at China’s Changsha Central Hospital, looked inside the woman’s ear and was horrified to find a spider looking back at her.

Dr. Sheng chose to flush the spider out with some saline solution, as opposed to removing it with surgical tools. After the saline flushing, the spider crawled out and the women reportedly cried tears of joy.

Why Spiders Like Ears

The spider likely crawled into the women’s ear canal while she was sleeping. Spiders, and other insects, will crawl into an ear looking for warmth, moisture, and harborage. An ear canal closely resembles the borough of many different kinds of spiders. Ticks are also common ear inhabitants. Always on the lookout for a generous blood supply, the inner ear and eardrum offer an all-you-can eat smorgasbord for these tiny bloodsuckers.

Removing Spiders from the Ear

Removing spiders and other insects from one’s ear is a very delicate process. If you attempt to remove the new inhabitant with a q-tip or even a surgical tool, you will startle it. A spider will then retreat as far down the ear canal as possible and dig its sharp barbs into the sides of the canal. Flushing the inhabitant with hydrogen peroxide or a saline solution can help evacuate your ear’s new tenant. If you suspect an insect or spider has made your ear it’s new home, please seek the help of a medical doctor.

If you are having an issue with spiders inside your home, contact a pest control professional immediately!

Bulwark Exterminating
3932 Octagon Road
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 255-6363
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

K-9 Sweeps LLC: Bed Bug Control
& K9 Scent Detection
8201 Woodland Prairie Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89129
(702) 586-5179
k-9sweeps.com

Orkin
4550 Ziebart Pl # A
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 597-9760
orkin.com

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