How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs NYC

Whether you are the owner of residential or commercial property, a property manager ora tenant, if you suspect a bed bug problem in your home or business, the question ofhow to get rid of bed bugs is likely the first one to come to mind. There are a number ofimportant issue to be addressed when it comes to how to get rid of bed bugs.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Concerns About Stigma

Despite a widespread education campaign about the habits of bed bugs, many people,especially New Yorkers, still associate the presence of bed bugs with filthy livingconditions. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, bed bugs were a common problem inManhattanʼs Lower East Side tenements, along with rats and roaches. Thesedilapidated buildings, which also typically lacked proper ventilation and running water,were inhabited by New Yorkʼs large immigrant population and are a well known part ofthe history and folklore of New York City. This is perhaps one reason why New Yorkers,especially, still continue to associate bed bugs with deplorable living conditions. Ofcourse, there is nothing at all to be ashamed of upon discovering bed bugs. Thesepests do not have the capacity to discriminate between fine hotels and fleabags, Lower East Side apartments and luxurious Upper West Side townhouses. Their mode of travelis as hitchhikers, hopping a ride from one place to the next on personal belongings suchas clothing and suitcases. For this reason, bed bugs can-and do-live just aboutanywhere people do, so long as the weather conditions are favorable to them.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Notifying Others

Even though it is now common knowledge that bed bugs donʼt indicate slovenliness,people are concerned about transmitting bed bugs to their own property. For this reason, some people will take steps avoid those with active bed bug problems. If youdiscover bed bugs in your home, there is no reason to tell your friends or coworkers ifdoing so makes you feel uncomfortable. However, it is important to notify the peoplewho matter. Notify your landlord or your building manager, and also notify your neighbors. Getting rid of bed bugs becomes a much easier task if it is a group effort.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Beware of Self-Help Bed Bug Remedies

Because of the stigma of having bed bugs, upon discovering them, many people arereluctant to contact an exterminator. They try to answer the question of how to get rid ofbed bugs on their own. People are also worried about the cost of getting rid of bed bugsin New York City and believe that solving the problem on their own will be less expensive than hiring a proper exterminator. People are also concerned about thepotential harmfulness of the chemicals used to get rid of bed bugs, so they want toexplore natural ways to get rid of bed bugs, green ways to get rid of bed bugs, organic ways to get rid of bed bugs and chemical-free ways to get rid of bed bugs. Thus feelingsof disgrace about having bed bugs, concerns about cost, and worries over introducingchemicals into the home or workplace have all been shown to be barriers to effectively answering the question: “How do I get rid of bed bugs?” Recently, the Federal TradeCommission issued a statement urging consumers to be very careful about buyingproducts that are held out as bed bug remedies or methods to prevent bed buginfestations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also voiced similar concerns,reporting that an increasing number of sellers are making unrealistic claims aboutproducts offered to the general public that are touted as being able to control or get ridof bed bugs.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Choosing a Pest Control Company

Getting rid of bed bugs can be a difficult task and, if your property is infested with bedbugs, the services of a licensed and highly trained pest management professional (AKAan exterminator) are in order. There are many pest control companies in NYC. Choosea company that is licensed and specifically experienced in getting rid of bed bugs inNew York. The best NYC pest control companies will be licensed, experienced ateradicating bed bugs, and will have satisfied clients.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Partnering With Your NY Pest Control Service

To be sure, hiring a well qualified pest control service is the first important step inanswering the question: How do I get rid of bedbugs? But even the best NYexterminator will have difficulty solving your bed bug problem if he or she is going italone. New Yorkʼs pest control experts need the help and active participation of their clients if they are to solve bed bug problems quickly and effectively. To properly assistpest control experts, it is important to know what bed bugs look like, the signs of bedbugs even when you cannot see the insects, and how to properly clean and disinfectyour home to make bed bug removal most effective.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Recognizing Bed Bugs From Their Appearance

There are a number of ways to recognize bed bed bugs. The best way is from their appearance. Bed bugs are often confused with other household pests, such as carpetbeetles, spider beetles and cockroach nymphs (juvenile cockroaches). Bed bugs can beseen with the naked eye but they are quite small. Newly hatched nymphs are as smallas 1/16 of an inch, or about one millimeter in length (about the size of a poppy seed) while adult bed bugs are about a quarter of an inch long (about the size of an appleseed). Newly hatched bed bugs have semitransparent or see-through bodies that are ashade of light tan. Adult bed bugs have a flat appearance and oval shaped bodies thatare a dark brownish red color. After they feed, they “plump” and take on an elongatedappearance. If you have spotted an insect indoors and arenʼt sure whether it is a bed bug, compare bed bug pictures to those of other insects and try to make an accuratebug ID. Still not sure? Contact your exterminator who can assist you with bugidentification.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Recognizing Bed Bugs From Their Signs

There are a number of distinctive signs or markers of bed bugs and it is important toknow them. Bed bug markers include:

1. Bed bug waste (feces) that shows up as rust-colored staining on mattresses,box springs and bed linens.
2. Leftover egg casings and exoskeletons, especially in cracks and crevices.
3. In heavily infested areas, there can be a distinctive odor of bed bugs whichsome have described as smelling sweet, like rotten raspberries. Others describe an oder of almonds.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Recognizing Bed Bugs from Their Bites

Different people react differently to bed bug bites. Some people who are bitten will haveno reaction whatsoever while others will experience a severe allergic response. It is important to keep in mind that there are different levels of bite reactivity. For this reason,just because a person doesnʼt notice bed bug bites does not mean that bed bugs arenot present in a given area. That said, many people who are bitten by bed bugs willnotice a bite mark within minutes or days of being bitten. Bed bug bites usually appear where skin has been exposed during sleep and they can appear as small bumps or large itchy welts on the skin-depending on individual reactivity. Bed bug bites oftenappear in a line or row, which can help distinguish bed bug bites from the bites of other insects such as mosquitos or spiders.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs NYC: Techniques & Tips for Residents

There are a number of things that residents can do in conjunction with proper pestcontrol. Here are the Top Ten Resident Tips:

1. If you live in a multiunit building, notify your landlord or property manager about theproblem. Also, notify your neighbors.
2. Remove as much clutter as possible from your home. Getting rid of clutter serves several purposes. First, removing clutter reduces the number of places that bed bugs can hide. Second, it is easier for pest control technicians to do their work if a home is clutter-free. Finally, reducing clutter makes it easier for residents and technicians aliketo spot bed bugs and the signs of bed bugs. Seal clutter that is to be disposed of inplastic trash bags.
3. Check remaining household items for bed bugs, and consider boxing up bed bugfree, nonessential items and putting them in storage until your bed bug problem is resolved. If they will tolerate it, spray isopropyl alcohol (AKA rubbing alcohol) on theitems you will be putting into storage as this will kill bed bugs and their eggs oncontact.
4. Use hot, soapy water to wipe off deceased bed bugs, bed bug waste, egg casing andexoskeletons wherever they are present. Spraying isopropyl alcohol onto surfaces that will tolerate this will kills bed bugs on contact however this is not a longterm solution because once the alcohol evaporates (this takes just seconds) itʼs power to kill bed bugs evaporates as well.
5. Wash clothing and bedding in hot water and dry it on the highest setting for at least20 minutes. Send dry-clean only items, such as clothing and draperies, to thecleaners. Store items that have been cleaned in plastic until pest control has gottenrid of your bed bug infestation.
6. Every day, vacuum your floors, carpets, bed frames, baseboards and any cracks andcrevices where bed bugs like to hide. Use a stiff brush and a tool to get into and cleanout hard to reach crevices. A putty knife or a playing card works well for this purpose.Once you have finished vacuuming, empty the vacuum and seal and dispose of thebag outside of your home after each use.
7. If your mattress is heavily infested, and you can afford to do so, consider replacing it.However itʼs best to wait for the advice of your pest control contractor beforedisposing of any expensive furniture or belongings as this is often unnecessary.
8. If you decide to keep your mattress, encase it and your box spring in a cover thatdesigned to keep out dust mites and/or bed bugs. Mattress/box spring enclosureshould last for at least one full year. Inspect your mattress and box spring covers on aregular basis, such as when you change your bed linens. Look for tears and if youfind any tape them closed.
9. Look for cracks and crevices (bed bug hiding places) in your residence and seal themup. Cracks or holes in drywall or plaster should be repaired. Remove loose wall paperand tighten up light switch covers so they are flush with the wall. Use a caulking gunand caulk to seal baseboard joints and the gaps that form in shelving and cabinetry.
10. While it is not necessary to throw away items just because they are infested with bedbugs (consider washing and encasing first) it is important to properly dispose of thoseitems you decide not to keep. Place them outside in sealed plastic trash bags andlabel them “Infested With Bed Bugs” so others donʼt use these items.