Any Inquiries Please Call 1800 70 90 88

Bed Bugs

A bedbug infestation in your home can be extremely distressing and, therefore, it is imperative that the problem is resolved swiftly and efficiently from the start.  We are a dedicated company which specialises in the eradication of bedbugs.  Consequently, we are your best choice to help you resolve any problem quickly and cost effectively.

 Our dedicated technicians at Redknight will assess your situation, confirm the presence of bedbugs, establish the most efficient method and determine, along with you the most appropriate course of action, prior to treatment implementation.

 Our sole aim is to get your home bedbug free as quickly as possible with minimal disruption to your daily routine.

How long do bed bugs live?

The typical life span of a bed bug is about 10 months. They can survive for weeks to months without feeding.

 

How does a home become infested with bed bugs?

In most cases, bed bugs are transported from infested areas to non-infested areas when they cling onto someone’s clothing, or crawl into luggage, furniture or bedding that is then brought into homes.

 

How do I know if my home is infested with bed bugs?

If you have bed bugs, you may also notice itchy welts on you or your family member’s skin. You may also see the bugs themselves, small bloodstains from crushed bed bugs, or dark spots from their droppings in your home. Bed bugs often hide in or near beds and bedroom furniture, and in the tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses and daybed covers. In more severe infestations, they may spread to cracks and crevices in bed frames and box springs; behind headboards; inside nightstands; behind baseboards, window and door casings, pictures, and mouldings; and in nearby furniture, loosened wallpaper, and cracks in plaster and flooring. Bed bugs may also hide in piles of books, papers, boxes, and other clutter near sleeping areas.

BedBug:

Facts, Identification

Crematogaster ashmeadi

Characteristics:

Colour: Adult is mahogany to rusty brown; red-brown in colour when engorged with blood. Nymph (baby bed bugs) are nearly colourless when hatch

Size: Adults are about 3/16 to 1/5 inch long; Nymphs range from 1.3mm to 4-5mm; Eggs are white and about 1/32 inch long 

Indentifying Characteristics: Broadly oval and flat; body becomes elongated, swollen, and dark red after a blood meal; have beaklike piercing-sucking mouthparts; possible to detect an obnoxiously sweet or foul “locker-room” odour, which is emitted from their glands

Diet:

Bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts including poultry, rodents, dogs, and cats to name a few

General

Bed bugs do not fly or jump. They can enter tight crack and crevice locations because of their flattened bodies·

They are elusive, nocturnal creatures; hiding during the day in dark, protected sites. 
However, they are opportunistic and may take a blood meal during the day in heavy infestations ·

Adults and young ones can go with no feedings for 80 to 140 days. Older adults are known to live as long as 500 days with no feedings (that is about 18 months!)· 

Female bed bugs lay from one to twelve eggs per day; eggs are coated with a sticky substance and adhered to rough surfaces or in cracks and crevices. 
This is about 500 eggs per her lifetime. Eggs hatch in 7-10 days. 
Developmental time (egg to adult) is affected by temperature – about 21 days at 86º F to 120 days at 65º F.

There are 5 nymphal instars with a blood meal required for each moult· 
Adult’s lifespan may encompass 12-18 months with three or more generations per year

What are the signs of a bed bug problem?

 Signs include seeing live or dead bed bugs, small bloodstains from crushed insects or on sheets, reddish brown dark collared spots from droppings, or bed bug eggs (adhering to crevices).

Bites are commonly found on the parts of the body that are more likely to be exposed to bed bugs during sleep – the hands, neck, face, shoulders, legs and arms. While not always the case, bed bug bites are often grouped together in a small area and at times may occur in a line or a zigzag pattern. Bites normally look like small, flat or raised areas that may become inflamed, itchy, red or blistered. 

Characteristics

Bed bugs can usually be introduced to your property as they attach to luggage, bags and clothing. Bed bugs may also be introduced through second-hand beds, furniture and possessions.

Habitat

Mainly active at night Bed bugs hide in crevices in the bed, surrounding furniture, and also behind skirting boards, under loose wall-paper, behind pictures and even in plug sockets to name a few.

How to prevent Bed bugs?

It's impossible to prevent a Bed bug infestation as they are generally spread through bad luck. However there are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting an infestation: Before staying or moving into accommodation, make sure you check for signs of Bed bugs.

Avoid taking any second-hand bedroom furniture without checking it thoroughly. If you have stayed in an infested room, upon arriving home, immediately check your luggage and clothing for bugs. If you find Bed bugs, to remove the bugs and eggs your luggage, clothing and bedding there are a few things you can do. Either; wash everything at a ‘hot' (60°C) temperature setting; tumbled dry at a ‘hot setting for at least 30 minutes; dry clean everything; or place everything in bag in the deep freezer for at least 3 days.

Where can Bed Bugs Hide?

  • In bed frames & headboard crevices
  • Mattress seams
  • Carpets and underlay
  • Under skirting boards
  • Inside screw holes
  • Between timber floorboards
  • Inside electrical sockets and fittings
  • In cracked or broken plaster
  • Behind peeling wallpaper
  • Drawers & cupboards, wardrobes and bedside cabinets.
  • Nevertheless it may still be hard to find actual evidence of live bugs, unless you are facing a very, very bad infestation.

How long should I remain out of my house post Bed bug Insecticidal treatment?

Make sure that all children or any person with asthma or other respiratory concern are out of the dwelling. They should remain out of the unit during spraying and for at least 6 hours after spraying. Ventilate the dwelling during and after spraying by opening windows, doors, and running fans. If you are pregnant or have respiratory problems or asthmatic or have an infant leave premises for 24 hours.

What do you use to treat bedbugs?

RedKnight pest control operators use a variety of tools to control bedbugs.

100% Insecticide free

Bed bugs are highly susceptible to heat -- exposure to 120 degrees will kill them in minutes, but 180-degree heat will kill them on contact. This includes adult bed bugs, juveniles, and eggs alike. This vulnerability makes steaming a highly effective part of a bed bug treatment process, as it allows you to quickly cut down the bed bug population no matter where they might be hiding. This method is 100% insecticide free and thus completely safe for your family and pets. It is especially safe for those who have allergies too.

Insecticides

These include liquid insecticide sprays containing IGR insect growth regulators and repellent insecticide combine to target the adults and nymphs. Aerosol insecticide sprays, insecticidal dusts, diatomaceous earth and bed bug interceptors are also used in some cases Insecticides used are approved by AEPMA.

Preparation

We request you not do any preparation in advance of our assessment consultation visit.  This is to avoid disturbing potential signs of an infestation and prevent inadvertent contamination of non-infested areas within your property.  We have assessed many cases where homes have been unnecessarily disrupted and infested items have been moved during pre-visit preparation.  This has often resulted in a simple minor infestation becoming more major and involving multiple rooms.

 

We are the Bed Bug experts in Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong. Contact us now 1800 70 90 88

All work comes with warranty.