Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs are more than just an annoyance — they can be a health hazard for your family and pets. Their bites cause itchy, red welts on the skin and could lead to allergic reactions and skin infections.

But bed bugs can also be very difficult to combat, leading to the need for professional bed bug control services. That's where the team at PestMaster of San Diego comes in.

Our team has years of experience tracking down bed bug problems, taking care of the underlying issue and rooting out the infestation to keep your family safe. We can respond quickly, designing a customized solution to treat your bed bug problem and offer tips for ongoing prevention.

Signs of Bed Bug Infestations

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can be brought into homes on luggage, clothing, and used furniture. Bed bugs can survive without feeding for several months to a year, depending on temperature and humidity.

When they're actively feeding, bed bugs show obvious — though sometimes hidden — signs of their presence. When cleaning or changing bedding, look out for:

• Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses (these are caused by bed bugs being crushed)

• Dark spots about the size of a period on a sentence (these are bed bug excrement and may bleed on the fabric like a marker would)

• Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny, pale yellow skins

• Live bed bugs

Where Bed Bugs Hide

Bed bugs hide in a variety of places when not feeding, including:

• Along the piping, seams and tags of your mattress and box spring

• In cracks on the bed frame and headboard

• In the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions and in the folds of curtains

• In drawer joints

• In electrical receptacles and appliances

• Under loose wallpaper and wall hangings

• At the junction where the wall and the ceiling meet

Bed bugs even can be found hiding the head of screws!

Because bed bugs are only about the width of a credit card, they can squeeze into really small hiding spots. It may take a trained eye to find where they're truly hiding before beginning bed bug treatment.

Avoid using bug bombs or total release foggers, as they are ineffective and can cause bed bugs to scatter, worsening the infestation. For severe infestations or when DIY methods fail, professional pest control may be necessary as they have access to more powerful treatments.

Our Bed Bug Control Process

At PestMaster of San Diego, we have years of experience with even the most difficult bed bug cases, and our team is skilled in identifying bed bug infestations. Choosing a licensed and insured pest control company is important for effective bed bug treatment.

Here's what you can expect when you call us for help with a bed bug problem.

Bed Bug Inspection

The first step in our bed bug control process is a comprehensive, multi-room inspection performed by our professional bed bug inspectors. If bed bug activity is found, we develop a treatment plan and begin eliminating the infestation.

We also offer monthly preventative inspection services for high-risk locations such as apartment buildings, condominium complexes and hotels. We set up ongoing maintenance programs that include thorough inspections, visual verification and spot treatments for bed bugs.

Comprehensive Bed Bug Control Treatments

Treatment methods for eliminating bed bug infestations vary based on several factors, including:

• The results of our initial inspection

• How widespread the infestation is

• Your location

• And more

Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, our goal is to eliminate your current infestation and prevent future infestations. Our bed bug treatments are effective while ensuring that we don't contribute to pesticide resistance and environmental concerns.

Depending on your situation, we may suggest treatments on a room-by-room basis. However, we most often recommend a whole house treatment to ensure the best results and the highest level of protection. Treatment times vary depending on the size of the infestation and the method of treatment but typically take between four and eight hours.

Follow-Up Visits

Follow-up visits are crucial to the long-term success of our bed bug treatments. Bed bug treatments often require multiple visits to ensure complete elimination of the pests. To achieve the most long-lasting results, we use bed bug monitors, inspections and communication with the client to determine the effectiveness of our treatments.