Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs

If you live in the Wichita KS area, fill out our form - or call our office - to schedule a free bed bug inspection & estimate.

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Free Bed bug Inspection

Bed Bug Extermination

If you live in the Wichita KS area, fill out our form - or call our office - to schedule a free bed bug inspection & estimate.

316-945-8400

CALL US NOW!

Free Bed Bug Inspection

BedBug

How do we get rid of bed bugs?


Once thought to have been eradicated in the United States, to the point that most Americans believed they were a myth, bed bugs have launched into our lives. The resurgence of bed bugs in Wichita KS over the last few years has been both incredible and unexpected. As a society, and as a culture, we were not prepared. The pest control industry in Wichita KS was also caught off-guard, and struggled to control bed bugs.

 At the forefront of the battle against bed bugs are pest control professionals. As new pest control methods and new research becomes available, Arrest A Pest Termite & Pest Control in Wichita KS adjusts our products and treatment methods to provide the best results possible to you, our customer.

 With easy to follow preparation protocols, the best methods in targeted heat treatment for bed bugs, and the most effective non-repellant chemicals, Arrest A Pest in Wichita KS can provide you and your family with the best treatment for bed bugs. Complete bed bug extermination is guaranteed.


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About Bed Bugs


BedBug

How do we get rid of bed bugs?


Thought to have been eradicated in the United States, to the point that most Americans believed they were a myth, bed bugs have launched into our lives. The resurgence of bed bug activity over the last few years has been incredible, and unexpected. As a society, and as a culture, we were not prepared.  

 At the forefront of the battle against the bed bug epidemic are pest control professionals. As new methods and new research becomes available, we adjust our products and treatment methods to provide the best results possible to you, our customer.

 With easy to follow preparation protocols, the best methods in targeted heat treatment, and staying up to date with most effective non-repellant chemicals, Arrest A Pest can provide you and your family with the best bed bug treatment possible. Guaranteed.

BedBug

What Can We Do About Bed Bugs?


Thought to have been eradicated in the United States, to the point that most Americans believed they were a myth, bed bugs have launched into our lives. The resurgence of bed bug activity over the last few years has been incredible, and unexpected. As a society, and as a culture, we were not prepared.  

 At the forefront of the battle against the bed bug epidemic are pest control professionals. As new methods and new research becomes available, we adjust our products and treatment methods to provide the best results possible to you, our customer.

 With easy to follow preparation protocols, the best methods in targeted heat treatment, and staying up to date with most effective non-repellant chemicals, Arrest A Pest can provide you and your family with the best bed bug treatment possible. Guaranteed.

Do you have questions about bed bugs?


Are you concerned about bed bugs? Check out our quick bed bug facts to help you get started on containing the issue.

How big is a bed bug?


Bed bugs are a small reddish-brown insect, and a typical adult bedbug will grow to be approximately ¼ inch long. 

What does a bed bug bite look like?


Some people have an allergic react to a bed bug bite. However, the severity of the reaction to a bedbug bite varies from person to person. Some may experience itching and redness, while others have severe swelling and burning itching around the bug bite area. A portion of the population exhibits no reaction. Click here for more information on bed bugs provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Where do bed bugs hide?


Bed bugs are not limited to beds. With any bedbug infestation, all furniture and adjoining surfaces and rooms should be thoroughly inspected. This includes dressers, nightstands, chairs, walls, trim, etc. Living rooms, dining areas, vehicles and any other area where people are at rest should be inspected for bed bugs and bedbug evidence.  

Do bed bug bombs work?


Most over the counter product are ineffective against bed bugs, even if the label says "for treating bed bugs." This is due to a resistance to the most common class of bed bug treatment chemicals called pyrethroids.

What does it cost to get rid of bed bugs?


The national average cost for a bed bug treatment is between $500 and $1500. Be very cautious of pest control companies offering services at rates significantly lower than the national average, or promising elimination with only one treatment.

What do bed bug eggs look like?


Once a bed bug reaches its adult stage is it ready to start laying eggs. The bedbug egg is about 1/16 of an inch long, oval in shape and white in appearance. Female bed bugs can lay 1 to 5 eggs a day, and 200+ eggs in their lifetime. That is A LOT of bed bug eggs.

How long do bed bugs live?


The growth cycle of bedbugs will typically take 30-45 days. It may take longer depending on the environment and availability food source. After a bed bug is fully grown, it may live for up to 12 months under regular conditions. Please note that some research suggests that bed bugs can live for as long as 18 months in an unoccupied space.

Bed Bug Do's & Don'ts


Navigate through the bed bug infestation 


A super fast tip sheet to help get rid of bed bugs, and avoid making some common mistakes. This is our list, built from our experience and designed to work with our bed bug control methods. 


Do

 

  • Wash and dr y your clothes and bedding on HOT!
  • Vacuum and clean as you normally would
  • Consult your doctor if you have concern about bites
  • Catch and save at least one bed bug in a plastic bag for ID
  • Limit visitors and outings to only necessary to limit spreading

 

Don't

  • SPRAY or Use BUG BOMBs
  • Deep Clean - Bleach and other harsh cleaners can cause bed bugs to migrate
  • Move or throw away furniture. This can spread bed bugs
  • Spread diatomaceous earth around room or on belongings
  • Move out
  • Start sleeping in another area
  • Attempt to use heat to kill bed bugs

FAQ's


  • What do bed bugs look like?

    First, bed bugs are not invisible. They do start out very small, but an adult bed bug will usually be about 1/4" long.  Bed bugs go through multiple stages of growth, including: (1) egg, (2) five nymph stages, and (3) adult.  Part of what makes bed bugs hard to see is the fact that their eggs are about 1mm long, and a light ivory to white color. Bed bug eggs have been described as looking like small grains of rice. Additionally, during the nymph stages of growth, bed bugs will not have the dark reddish brown color of adult bed bugs. The nymphs will appear dark only after a feeding, but will most often be a translucent yellow.

  • Are bed bugs only found in beds?

    NO. Bed bugs can be found anywhere people are. Bed bugs are most commonly found in resting places, where people are sitting for extended amounts of time.  Bedrooms top the list, but we often find bed bugs in: dressers, couches, coffee tables, recliners, dining room chairs, cars, and office work stations.  Even worse, bed bugs are not restricted to furniture. You can find bed bugs in curtains and blinds, around window and door trim, behind door hinges, along baseboards, inside electronics, as well as in books and other stored items.  Bed bugs like to stay close to their food source - Homo sapiens (Yeah, us).  So any part of a structure within 10 feet of a resting person is a great place to look for a bed bug. Here at Arrest A Pest we follow a "room by room" bed bug inspection and treatment protocol.


    AAP Tech Tip:

     "Curtain inspections are a must. They are easy for bed bugs to climb, are usually close to the beds & couches, and have a lot of seams & folds. Sometimes I will inspect them twice, especially where the rods go through. Bed bugs love that area."


  • I have bed bugs, should I throw away my bed?

    This question has a "yes" and "no" answer. Throwing away furniture is always up to you - after all, it's your property. Most furniture can be effectively treated and cleared of bed bugs for much less than the cost of replacing furniture. Sometimes throwing out a bed makes us feel better, and it does reduce the population inside the home. But throwing out furniture WILL NOT remove all of the bed bugs. Until your home undergoes a thorough bed bug extermination, any new furniture brought into your home will be infested with bed bugs within just a few days. So to answer our question - yes, removing infested furniture can be helpful. But no, it isn't necessary in order to eradicate most bed bug infestations.


    AAP Owner's Tip: 

     "Beware of anyone that "requires" you to discard furniture, or pack up and move your belongings somewhere else.  Properly trained bed bug exterminators can get the infestation eliminated, and save your possessions in the process."

  • Do I have bed bugs? How can I tell if I have bed bugs?

    Once you see a bed bug you will never forget it. Here are some signs that you might have problems with bed bugs:

    1. Bites, usually in a line, arch or cluster (may only be once every 7-10 days at first)
    2. Itching and redness on skin
    3. Small black dots on walls or furniture, or dark staining of fabric (bed bug waste is dark from the blood they consume, and will smear if wiped with a damp cloth)
    4. Amber colored casings, which are the exoskeletons discarded by bed bugs during the molting from one growth stage to another.
    5. Eggs. Bed bugs tend to leave eggs everywhere they travel. Very small, but often found in clusters or close proximity to other eggs.
    6. Strange bugs. Call us, we can easily identify bed bug evidence from a clear cell phone picture.

    You may have one, some or all of these signs of bed bugs. There is no charge for bed bug inspections in Wichita KS when you call Arrest A Pest. Some tips for bed bug inspection:


    • Use a bright flashlight - Essential to helping spot bed bug eggs and bed bug droppings
    • Be thorough - Inspect more than the edge of the mattress; check both sides of the box spring, the frame and the headboard too
    • Don't assume that "no bites = no bed bugs"

    AAP Owner's Tip:

     "Don't shortcut the bed bug inspection. A few extra minutes is always worth the peace of mind of being confident about where the bed bugs are, or are not."

  • I have bed bugs, what do I do now?

    First of all: don't panic. Bed bugs have become a common pest. We receive calls about bed bugs as much as we do about roaches and termites.  Second,  resist the urge to spray anything, clean excessively, or throw away anything of value. This can make it harder to determine the full extent of your bed bug problem. And finally, call your local professional pest control company. Most should offer you a free bed bug estimate and inspection.


    AAP Tech Tip:

     "Get a total price from the pest control company, and ask how often they will need to treat. More importantly, get it in writing. Don't let someone keep coming out and charging you more than they promised. I am often treating for bed bugs in homes where customers have been paying someone else for multiple services with no results.  This means they've just been wasting a lot of money and time."

  • Why doesn't bed bug spray work?

    If you have tried to use bed bug treatment products from retail stores, you are no doubt disappointed with the results. The vast majority of chemicals available to the general public are Pyrethroid or Pyrethrin based. That means these bed bug sprays are (1) a repellant chemical (which is bad when trying to control and not spread bed bugs) and (2) mostly ineffective, since a large portion of the bed bugs in existence today have built up a resistance to that class of chemicals.  Pyrethroids do not stay on surfaces for very long, nor are manufacturers of these required to change labels and advertising to reflect the decline in effectiveness.


    AAP Owner's Tip:

     "We have started referring to use of over the counter products for bed bugs as the "pyrethroid cycle". Most often, a "bug bomb" or "bed bug spray" will give 4-5 days of relief from bed bugs. This doesn't mean that the bed bugs have died, but that they have moved away from the area to avoid the repellant pyrethroid. Later when the bed bugs resume feeding (assuming the first application was mostly successful) a second application is made. Again, this may give you 4-5 days of bed-bug-free sleep. However, by the 3rd or 4th attempt most people realize they are in a never ending cycle."

  • What does a bed bug bite look like?

     To say with certainty that any mark is a bed bug bite is very difficult. Current research, along with our own experience, has shown that not all people have reactions to bed bug bites. More specifically, not all human bodies have a reaction to the anesthetic bed bugs inject into our skin while they feed. Some people react immediately with varying degrees of severity; some will slowly develop a reaction over time; and some people will never show any sign of bed bug bites.  That is why a thorough bed bug inspection should include bed rooms and living / recreation rooms. Here are some clues and indicators that may help in determining if you have a bed bug bite:


    • Bite marks tend to be on the upper part of the body
    • Bite marks are usually clustered together, in a line or slight arc
    • Marks first appeared about 7-10 days apart, but are now almost daily (meaning an inncrease in bed bug population)

    AAP Tech Tip:

     "At first I thought I wasn't doing a good job treating for bed bugs. We would usually follow the direction of the customer as to where the bed bug infestation was, and treat only those areas. A few days after treatment we would get a call saying the bugs had moved to another room, with tenants that never had bites. After a couple of similar instances, we began to realize that the bed bugs didn't move - they had been in those rooms from the beginning. Bites or not, all rooms where people rest or sleep need to be inspected."

  • Are bed bugs in Wichita KS?

    Absolutely!!! We do hundreds of treatments for bed bugs every year. So do many other businesses in the pest control industry. Bed bugs are found in every type of structure - single family homes, hotels & motels, apartment buildings, retail stores, office buildings, restaurants, schools, daycares, churches, etc. Bed bugs can also be found even in cars, trucks, semi trailers, and RV's.


    AAP Tech Tip:

     "Let's just say... bed bugs are everywhere."

  • How do you get bed bugs?

    Bed bugs are a "people pest." You get them from being around people who have them, or by being in a space infested with bed bugs. For a bed bug, life is simple. A bed bug has (3) key things to do.


    1. SURVIVE - Evade detection and find secure hiding places
    2. FEED - The closer to people they can establish a harborage, the better 
    3. REPRODUCE - Keeping the species alive; bed bugs lay eggs every day

     Bed bugs are great hitchhikers. They also will lay eggs as they travel. This means that just a short time spent in areas where bed bugs are present is enough time for them to attach to you or your belongings. Contact with bed bug eggs is another way that people bring bed bugs home. A bed bug egg is very sticky, allowing them to transfer easily if people sit on or brush up against them. 

     The biggest culprit in spreading bed bugs appears to be people themselves. Embarrassment over having bed bugs keeps some from informing friends and family that they have an infestation. These people may innocently maintain regular social interactions, giving bed bugs ample opportunity to move from residence to residence. Others may falsely believe that they have solved the issue on their own, and that no threat is present. They resume interactions with others and inadvertently end up passing on bed bugs. Perhaps the largest contributor to the spread of bed bugs is the simple fact that many people are unaware that they have bed bugs. Often, bed bugs will be in a structure for many months before the residents are aware of the issue. 


    AAP Owner's Tip:

     "Most of our customers have a good idea of where the bud bug problem came from. Usually they can point to a stay in a hotel, family visiting over a holiday, a co-worker, or someone they interacted with that had a bed bug issue. Unfortunately for some, the question of 'how did i get bed bugs?' will never be answered."

  • I thought bed bugs were a myth! Why are bed bugs a problem now?

    Bed bugs are no myth. They have long been a problem in the United States, and even here in Wichita KS. Here are some of the reasons that bed bugs are so common today:


    1. Chemical Resistance - Over time, bed bugs build up a resistance to the most common of chemicals used in pesticide. Some strains of bed bugs may have always produced resistant bed bugs, but most creatures can build up an "immunity" to toxins that are harmful to them. Any bed bug with resistant traits would likely pass those traits on to its offspring.  Over-use of a single type of bed bug pesticide has led to most bed bug strains in the US now being considered "resistant."
    2. Nonlethal Dosages - No matter how small or large a living creature is, there exists (with most chemical toxicants) a level of exposure required for the death of that creature. If even a small portion of a bed bug population receives less than a lethal dose, you create a scenario perfect for a population of bed bugs to rebound.
    3. Incomplete Treatment - Thorough application to all potential harborages and suspected travel places is essential in order to control bed bugs. Anything less can lead to reasons (1) and (2) mentioned above.
    4. Ignorance - The belief that bed bugs were fictional was very common - until the last few years. This belief resulted in a carefree approach, meaning that bed bugs had a lot of freedom to move, repopulate, and spread across the globe. This happened without most people being aware of the danger.  Included in that widespread ignorance were many in the pest control industry who had never even encountered a bed bug infestation.
    5. Pest Control Changes - Old products banned, new products brought to market. Lower volumes of pesticides being used in an effort to be more responsible, more environmentally conscience.  A shift in treatment method, of trying to keep bugs out of a home by perimeter applications. This inadvertently created safe zones for bed bugs inside our homes. 
    6. Travel - In the 21st century, travel is easier than ever - both for people and for bed bugs. There is no shortage of places to go, things to see, restaurants to try, and hotels available to help you rest up after a rigorous day of adventuring. Comfortable cars, fast airplanes, and Uber drivers keep the journey as fun as the destination, opening up lanes of travel for bed bugs too. Opportunities to relocate from Kansas City to Wichita, or New York to LA, or anywhere a bed bug could dream of going.
    7. International Travel - With so many people moving around our Earth every day, bed bugs were destined to be close behind. 
    8. Hybrid Bed Bugs - Once bed bugs from different parts of the world started crossing paths, they began to co-mingle and reproduce, creating the bed bugs that are now plaguing our cities. With a more durable exoskeleton, and resistance traits from different strains of bed bugs, the fight against these new "super bed bugs" has very quickly dominated the pest control industry. 
  • Does diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs?

    It can, but rarely produces the desired results. Arrest A Pest Termite & Pest Control does not use - nor do we recommend using - diatomaceous earth (DE) for bed bug control. We do use diatomaceous earth for control of other bugs and pests, such as the brown recluse spider. DE is not a chemical control method, it is a physical control. This means that its presence in an environment does not guarantee it will deliver any pest control effect on bed bugs.  If someone wanted to kill a bug, they could do so by a number physical contact methods. A shoe, for example. It may sound silly, but who hasn't stepped on a bug, or used a shoe to kill a spider? A fly swatter is a better example. It's a physical contact control method of pest control. But both the shoe and a fly swatter have to be employed correctly. If you place a shoe & a fly swatter in the middle of a room, how many bugs will you kill? What if you put the fly swatter in the shoe and throw both of them at the flies? Or maybe you put the shoe in front of the door to keep bug from coming in from the outside? The point is, DE has to be used properly. It has to make contract with the target pest, and make contact in the right manner.  

     As many people know, diatomaceous earth is made from finely ground remains of fossilized aquatic organisms. It feels like baby powder to our touch, but when examined under magnification it is revealed to be jagged and sharp. For pest control, this powder must make contact with the body of the insect; to be most effective, it needs to be rubbed or ground against the insect (insects grind the DE into their skin as they try to squeeze into confined spaces). The physical effect is a drying out of the insect from (1) destruction of the waxy layer protecting the exoskeleton, and (2) cuts & breaks caused by the sharp and jagged particles.


     Specifically regarding bed bugs, here is why Diatomaceous Earth is not an effective control method:

    •  Travel Paths: Bed bugs are great climbers and hiders. Most of the time we find DE has been placed in only some of the areas that bed bugs traverse. We see DE placed on the floor and on beds, but rarely in their harborages around a room. Few people (if any) apply DE to the sheets, pillow, and blankets. This means that after treating their mattress and box spring, they cover over that physical contact treatment. 
    •  Level of Contact: We've observed bed bugs walking across DE that has been in place for some time. As a pile of dust on the ground, bed bugs can avoid the unstable area (or can simply walk across the pile if it has hardened or compressed enough over time.) When DE is placed on walls and around windows, it seems that bed bugs can walk through the dust and not pick up enough to cause death in an effective amount of time. Contact on the legs of the bed bug is not enough to compromise the physical integrity of the bed bug exoskeleton. 
    •  Benefits vs Effort: Our goal is total control of bed bugs. This means complete elimination of them in a defined space. Diatomaceous Earth falls very short of providing that level of control. It gives only partial control, is not fast acting, causes a potentially hazardous environment (inhalation of Diatomaceous Earth is damaging to our respiratory system), can render other control efforts ineffective, and is very messy. 

    Diatomaceous Earth will kill some bed bugs, but not enough. Other methods of bed bug control should be used.


    AAP Tech Tip: 

     "Often we have to clean up piles of dust, vacuum, and wipe down areas we need to treat for bed bugs. Diatomaceous earth gets everywhere, making it hard to inspect for bed bugs and provide an effective treatment."

  • What do bed bugs look like?

    First, bed bugs are not invisible. They do start out very small, but an adult bed bug will usually be about 1/4" long.  The bed bugs goes through multiple stages of growth, including, egg, 5 nymph stages, and finally adult.  Part of what makes bed bugs hard to see is that their eggs are about 1mm long, and an light ivory to white color. Sometimes bed bug eggs are described as looking like small grains of rice. Additionally, during the nymph stages of growth, bed bugs will not have the dark reddish brown color of adult bed bugs. The nymphs will appear dark after a feeding, but will most often be a translucent yellow.


    View "Mug Shots"

    View Life Cycle

  • Are bed bugs only found on beds?

    NO. Bed bugs can be found anywhere people are. Most commonly in resting places, or where people are sitting for extended amounts of time.  Bedrooms top the list, but we often find bed bugs in dresser, couches, coffee tables, recliners, dining room chairs, cars, and office work stations.  Bed bugs are not restricted to furniture. You can find bed bugs in curtains and blinds, around window and door trim, behind door hinges, along baseboards, inside electronics, in books and other stored items.  Bed bugs like to stay close to their food source - Homo sapiens (Yeah, us).  So any part of a structure within 10 feet of a resting person is a great place to look for a bed bug. Here at Arrest A Pest we follow a "room by room" inspection and treatment protocol.


    AAP Tech Tip:

     "Curtain inspections are a must. They are easy to climb, usually close to the beds and couches, and have a lot of seams and folds. Sometimes I will inspect them twice, especially the area that the rods go through. Bed bugs love that area"


  • I have bedbugs, should I throw away my bed?

    This is a yes and no question. Throwing away furniture is always up to you, it's your property. Most furniture can be effectively treated and cleared of bed bugs for much less than the cost of replacing furniture. Sometimes, throwing out a bed makes us feel better, and it does reduce the population inside the home. But throwing out furniture will no remove all the bed bugs, and bringing different furniture prior to extermination, will only mean the new furniture will be infested in a few months. Yes, removing infested can be helpful. No, it isn't necessary to eradicate most bed bug infestations.


    AAP Owner's Tip: 

     "Beware of anyone that "requires" you to discard furniture, or pack up and move your belongings somewhere else.  Properly trained bed bug technicians can get the infestation eliminated, and save your possessions. "


  • Do I have bed bugs? How can I tell if I have bedbugs?

    Once you see a bed bug you will never forget it. Here are some signs that you might have a bed bug problem:


    1. Bites , usually in a line, arch or cluster (may only be once every 7-10 days at first)
    2. Inching and redness on skin
    3. Small black dots on walls or furniture, or dark staining of fabric. (bed bug waste is dark from the blood they consume, and will smear if wiped with a damp cloth)
    4. Amber colored casings, which are the exoskeletons discarded by bed bugs during the molting from one growth stage to another.
    5. Eggs. Bed bugs tend to leave eggs everywhere they travel. Very small, but often found in clusters or close proximity to other eggs.
    6. Strange bugs. Call us, we can easily identify bed bug evidence from a clear cell phone picture.

     

    You may have some, all, or just one of the signs of bed bugs. There is no charge for bed bug inspections when you call Arrest A Pest. Some tips for bed bug inspection:


    • Bright flashlight - Essential to helping spot eggs and bed bug droppings
    • Be thorough - Inspect more than the edge of the mattress, check both sides of the box spring, the frame and headboard too.
    • Don't assume "no bites = no bed bugs"

    AAP Owner's Tip:

     "Don't shortcut the inspection. A few extra minutes is always worth the peace of mind of being confident about where the bed bugs are, or are not"


  • I have bed bugs, what do I do now?

    First of all, don't panic. It probably doesn't help much to know, but bed bugs have become a common pest. We receive calls about bed bugs as much as we do about roaches and termites.  Second,  resist the urge to spray anything, clean excessively, or throw away anything of value. Last, call a professional pest control company. Most should offer you a free estimate and inspection.


    AAP Tech Tip:

     "Get a total price and how often they will need to treat. And get it in writing. Don't let someone keep coming out and charging you more than they promised. I am often treating for bed bugs in homes where people have been paying someone else for multiple services with no results.  Wasting a lot of money and time."


  • Why does the bed bug spray not work?

    If you have tried to use bed bug treatment products from retail stores, you will no doubt have been disappointed with the results. The vast majority of chemicals available to the general public are Pyrethroid or Pyrethrin based. Meaning that they are (1) a repellant chemical (which is bad when trying to control and not spread bed bugs) and (2) mostly ineffective since a large portion of the bed bugs in existence today have built up a resistance to that class of chemicals.  Pyrethroids do not have a long residual, nor are manufacturers of these required to change labels and advertising to reflect the decline in effectiveness.


    AAP Owner's Tip:

     "We have started referring to use of over the counter products for bed bugs as the "pyrethroid cycle". Simply because, most often, a "bug bomb" or "bed bug spray" will give 4-5 days of relief from bed bugs. Not that the bugs have died, but that they have moved away from the area to avoid the repellant pyrethroid. Then when the bed bugs resume feeding, assuming the first application was mostly successful, a second application is made. Again, giving 4-5 days bed bug free sleep. By the 3rd or 4th attempt, most people realize they are in a never ending cycle."


  • What does a bed bug bite look like?

     To definitely say a mark is a bed bug bite is very difficult. Current research, along with our own experience, has shown that not all people react to a bed bug bite. Or more specifically, to the anesthetic bed bugs inject into our skin while they feed. Some people react immediately with varying degrees of severity, some will develop a reaction over time, and some people will never show any sign of bed bug bites.  That is why thorough inspection is critical. Inspection bed rooms and living/recreation rooms. Here are some clues and indicators for determining if you have a bed bug bite.


    • Bite marks tend to be on the upper part of the body
    • Bite marks are clustered together, in a line or slight arc
    • Marks first appeared about 7-10 days apart, but are now almost daily (Increase in bed bug population)

    AAP Tech Tip:

     "At first I thought I wasn't doing a good job treating for bed bugs. We would usually follow the direction of the customer as to where the bed bug infestation was, and treat those areas. A few days post treatment we would get a call saying the bugs had moved to another room, with tenants that never had bites. After a couple of those, we began to realize the bed bugs didn't move, they had been in those rooms from the beginning. Bites or not, all rooms where people sleep have to be inspected."


  • Are bed bugs in Wichita?

    Absolutely!! We do hundreds of treatments for bed bugs every year. And so do many other businesses in the pest control industry. Bed bugs are found in every type of structure. From single family homes, hotels and motels, apartment buildings, retail stores, office buildings, restaurants, schools, daycares, churches, etc. bed bugs can be and have been found. Even in cars, trucks, semi trailers, and RV's.


    AAP Tech Tip:

     "Let's just say they are everywhere"


  • How do you get bed bugs?

    Bed bugs are a people pest. You get them from being around people who have them, by being in a space infested with bed bugs. For a bed bug, life is simple. The tasks are few. A bed bug has (3) key things to do.


    1. SURVIVE - Evade detection and find secure hiding places.
    2. FEED - The closer to people they can establish a harborage the better. 
    3. REPRODUCE - Keeping the species alive, bed bugs lay eggs every day.

     

    Getting an infestation of bed bugs is part bed bugs and part people. The bugs are great hitchhikers. They also will lay eggs as they travel. Meaning that just a few hours in an areas where bed bugs are present is enough time for them to attach to you or your belongings. Contact with bed bug eggs is another way that people bring bed bugs home. A bed bug egg is very sticky, allowing them to transfer easily if people sit on or brush up against them. 

     The biggest culprit appears to be people themselves. Embarrassment over having bed bugs keeps some from informing friends and family that they have an infestation. And they maintain regular social interactions, giving bed bugs ample opportunity to move from residence to residence. Others may falsely believe that they have solved the issue, and that no threat is present. Then resuming interactions with others and passing on bed bugs.  Lastly, and perhaps the largest contributor to the spread of bed bugs, are many that are unaware that they have bed bugs. Commonly, bed bugs will be in a structure for many months before the residents are aware of the issue. 


    AAP Owner's Tip:

     "Most of our customers have a good idea of where the bud bug problem came from. Often they can point to a stay in a hotel, family visiting over a holiday, a co-worker, or someone they interacted with that had a bed bug issue. Unfortunately, for some the question of "How did i get bed bugs?" will never be answered."


  • I thought bed bugs were a myth, why are bed bugs a problem now?

    They are no myth. Bed bugs have long been a problem in the United States. More accurately they have always been a global problem. Here are some of the reasons that bed bugs are so prevalent today:


    1. Chemical Resistance - Overtime, bed bugs build up a resistance to the most common of chemicals used in pesticide. Some strains may have always produced resistant bed bugs, but most creatures can build up an "immunity" to toxins that are harmful to them. Any bed bug with resistant traits would likely pass those traits onto its offspring.  Over use of a single product has led to most bed bug strains in the US being considered "resistant."
    2. Nonlethal Dosages - No matter how small or large a living creature is, there exists (with most chemicals toxicants) a level of exposure required for the death of that creature. If even a small portion of a bed  bug population receives less than a lethal dose, you create a scenario perfect for a bug population
    3. Incomplete Treatment - Thorough application to all potential harborages and suspected travel places is essential to control. Anything less can lead to reasons (1) and (2).
    4. Ignorance - The belief that these creatures were fictional was very common up until the last few years. Meaning that bed bugs had a lot of freedom to move, repopulate, and spread across the globe. All without most people being aware of the danger.  Included in that widespread ignorance were many in the pest control industry who had never encountered a bed bug infestation.
    5. Pest Control Changes - Old products banned, new products brought to market. Lower volumes of pesticides being used in an effort to be more responsible, more environmentally conscience.  A shift in treatment method, of trying to keep bugs out of a home by perimeter applications. Inadvertently creating safe zones for bed bugs inside out homes. 
    6. Travel - In the 21st century, travel is easier than ever. And there is no shortage of places to go, things to see, restaurants to try, and hotels available to help you rest up after a rigorous day of adventuring. And comfortable cars, fast airplanes, and Uber drivers to keep the journey as fun as the destination. Opening up lanes of travel for bed bugs too. Opportunities to relocate from Kansas City to Wichita, or New York to LA. Or anywhere a bed bug could dream of going.
    7. International Travel - With so many people moving around our Earth every day, bed bugs were destined to be close behind. 
    8. Hybrid Bed Bugs - Once bed bugs from different parts of the world starting crossing paths, they began to comingle and reproduce, creating the bed bugs that are now plaguing our cities. With a more durable exoskeleton, and resistance traits from different strains of bed bugs, the fight against these bugs has very quickly dominated the pest control industry. 

  • Does diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs?

    It can. But rarely produces the results imagined. Arrest A Pest does not use, nor do we recommend using diatomaceous earth (DE) for bed bug control. We do use diatomaceous earth for control of the brown recluse spider. DE is not a chemical control method, it is a physical control. Which means that its presence in an environment does not mean it will deliver any pest control effect.  If one wanted to kill bug one could do so by a number physical contact methods. A shoe, for example. It may sound silly, but who hasn't stepped on a bug, used a shoe to kill a spider. Maybe a fly swatter is a better example. It's a physical contact control method of pest control. But both the shoe and a fly swatter have to be employed correctly. If you set a shoe and a fly swatter in the middle of a room, how many bugs will you kill? What if you put the swatter in the shoe and throw them at the flies? Or maybe you put the shoe in front of the door to keep bug from coming in from the outside. The point is, DE has to use used properly. It has to make contract with the target pest, and make contact in the right manner.  

     As many people know diatomaceous earth is finely ground remains of fossilized aquatic organisms. It feels like baby powder to our touch, but when examined under magnification, it is revealed to be jagged and sharp. For pest control, this powder must make contact with the body of the insect, and to be most effective, rubbed or ground against the insect (insects grind the DE into their skin as they try to squeeze into confined spaces). They physical effect is a drying out of the insect from (1) destruction of the waxy layer protecting the exoskeleton, and (2) cuts & breaks caused by the sharp and jagged particles.


     Specifically regarding bed bugs, here is why Diatomaceous Earth is not an effective control method:

    •  Travel Paths: Bed bugs are great climbers, and hiders. Most of the time we find DE has been placed in only some of the areas that bed bugs might be. We see DE placed on the floor, on beds, but rarely in their harborages around a room  And few people, if any, apply DE to the sheets, pillow, and blankets. Meaning that after treating their mattress and box spring, they cover over that physical contract treatment. 
    •  Level of Contact: We have observed bed bugs walking across DE that had been in place for some time. As a pile of dust on the ground, bed bugs can avoid the unstable area, or if it has hardened or compressed enough over time, simply walk across the pile. When DE is placed on walls and around windows, it seems that bed bugs can walk through the dust and not pick up enough to cause death in a short enough amount of time. Contact on the legs of the bed bug is not enough to compromise the physical integrity of the bed bug exoskeleton. 
    •  Benefits vs Effort: Our goal is control. With bed bugs that means complete elimination of them in a defined space. Diatomaceous Earth falls very short of providing that level of control. It gives only partial control, is not fast acting, causes a potentially hazardous environment (inhalation of Diatomaceous Earth is damaging to our respiratory system), can render other control efforts ineffective, and is very messy. 

    Diatomaceous Earth will kill some bed bugs, but not enough. Other methods of bed bug control should be used.


    AAP Tech Tip: 

     "Often we have to clean up piles of dust, vacuum, and wipe down areas we need to treat for bed bugs. Diatomaceous earth gets everywhere, plus makes it hard to inspect and do an effective treatment."


Best Control Methods for Bed Bugs


Bed Bug Treatment


You can find a never ending list of treatment methods for bed bugs. Home remedies, cheap sprays, natural plant based products, environmental modifications, and chemical applications are all available. Here at Arrest A Pest Termite and Pest Control in Wichita KS, we have tried many methods, products, and chemicals to find the best ways to detect and eliminate bed bugs. With our experience, along with training from industry partners, we now have a treatment protocol that is highly effective here in Wichita KS. The following are some of the most commonly promoted tools and methods for bed bug control. We have ranked them in different categories to help you understand the benefits and challenges of each. Keep in mind that any of these services done improperly will not be effective. Choose a pest control company with experience and training in bed bug extermination.




Over The Counter Bed Bug Products 

Brand Names: R*id, H*t Shot, H@rris Bed Bug


Cost: $ Affordable             Effectiveness: Low

Control Method: Chemical


Summary: Most OTC products do not effectively kill bed bugs. Often they spread the bed bugs because of the repellant active ingredients. Causes a lengthy cycle of treatment, false success, and retreatments.


 AAP GRADE: F

 AAP COMMENTS: Waste of money, makes infestation worse


Diatomaceous Earth             

Brand Names:   Numerous Sources


Cost: $ Affordable             Effectiveness: Moderate

Control Method: Physical


Summary: Takes a lot of time and effort to use. Unfortunately, works really well in small test areas, but not so well in real life applications. Will kill some bed bugs, but highly unlikely to ever completely eliminate a bed bug infestation.

 AAP GRADE: C
 AAP COMMENTS: Many of our customers have tried for months to get rid of their bed bugs with DE before calling us for help.

Pyrethrins/Pyrethroids - Professional Grade


Cost:   $$-$$$$ Moderate to High             Effectiveness: Low

Control Method: Chemical


Summary: Even with a more concentrated mix of this product being applied (often 10-20 times more active ingredient than OTC products), resistance to these products make them a poor choice for bed bug control. Use of this class of chemical typically pushes bed bug out of their preferred harborages and into other areas in a structure. 

 AAP GRADE: F
 AAP COMMENTS: What looks like the most affordable option sometimes turns into the most expensive when, (1) you have to pay for 5 or 6 treatment to get rid of bed bugs and (2) at the end of those treatments you still have bed bugs in your home.

Non Repellant Chemical - Professional Grade


Cost:   $$-$$$$ Moderate to High             Effectiveness:   Moderate to Very

Control Method: Chemical


Summary: Demand for safer and more effective pesticides has helped spur the development of multiple classes of non repellant chemicals over the last few decades. The initial cost to purchase these products is significantly more than those of the pyrethroid or pyrethrin class. Non repellant usually means that bugs will continue to behave as normal, so full control may take some time.

 AAP GRADE: A
 AAP COMMENTS: Any treatment, no matter how good the chemical, can be rendered ineffective if it is not thoroughly and properly applied. While the cost of treatment with these products might be more expensive than repellant ones, the results are proving it to be worth it. Residual control is very good.

Heat Treatments - Whole House


Cost:   $$$$ Expensive             Effectiveness:   Moderate to Very

Control Method: Physical


Summary: Since bed bugs like most living things can only live within a specific temperature environment. Heat treatments take a significant amount of time(5-10 hours) to bring the air temperature inside a structure up to 130-140 degrees. Which is hot enough to kill bed bugs. However, the time that it takes to heat up the building and the contents of the infested space, will usually mean that bed bugs have opportunities to seek out cooler areas, harborages that cannot be penetrated by the heat, or move to adjoining rooms/apartments. Some pest control professionals have started adding a chemical treatment in concert with their heat treatments to help control the bed bugs that escape the heat treatment.

 AAP GRADE: B
 AAP COMMENTS: This is one of the most costly and inconvenient treatment options, it also does not leave any residual control. 

Heat Treatments - Target Steam


Cost:   $$ Moderate             Effectiveness:   Very

Control Method: Physical


Summary: Utilizing the correct equipment means that hte furniture, carpet, and trim boards in your structure can be treated with steam exceeding 300F degrees. At that temperature, bed bugs of all sizes and stages of growth die very fast. Almost on contact. Eggs included. Even with the large amounts of time needed to properly move furniture around, steaming is usually less of a time commitment than whole house heat treatments and fumigation. 

 AAP GRADE: A
 AAP COMMENTS: Even though this is highly effective, it can be time consuming, and does not leave any residual control.

Fumigation (CAUTION: Most Dangerous)


Cost:   $$$$ High             Effectiveness:   Moderate to Very to 100%

Control Method: Chemical Gas


Summary: After sealing or covering a structure, a very deadly gas is released. These gases will cause the death of anything that breaths oxygen. For some insect infestations, this option might be the best choice. 

 AAP GRADE: A
 AAP COMMENTS: This service is one we do not offer. If done properly, you can kill everything in a structure. And it is an immediate kill. Still, it’s very dangerous, very expensive, and with all the work that goes into a proper fumigation, there are a lot of areas for a bed bug fumigation to go wrong. Once the tarps and sealing of a home is removed, they control of the gas is removed also. Which means there is no residual control for bed bugs.

How does Arrest A Pest control bed bugs in Wichita KS?


The following steps are essential to effective professional level bed bug removal:

 

  1. Thorough inspection for bed bug evidence in suspected space/building. Including an inventory of furniture.
  2. Cleaning and removal of clutter, leaving floor space clear. 
  3. Steaming of furniture, which may include: mattresses, box springs, frames & support, headboards, side tables, dressers, storage trunks, chairs, desks, recliners, sofas, coffee tables, love seats, recliner, etc. The goal is to kill all bed bugs we come into contract with, even 1st stage bed bugs and eggs that are hard to find. Steam will penetrate edges, folds, and seams in your furniture's fabric. It may even be necessary to steam the edges of the room itself.
  4. Residual nonrepellant pesticide to control the bed bugs (hatched or in egg form) that where hiding, eluded the steam treatment, or get carried into the treated area. Total control may take a few weeks, and typically 2-3 treatments.
  5. Follow up inspection or treatment.
  6. A guarantee. Most of our bed bug treatments will come with a 60 day warranty. Details and availability are part of the initial bed bug inspection.

 



For additional information on how to identify bed bug bites, as well as bed bug life cycles and control methods, please watch the following video:
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