Infestations of bed bugs are sweeping the nation to the point of epidemic proportions. The CDC and the EPA have even joined together to address the public health issues created by bed bugs. It’s created enough concern that a 2010 Bed Bug Summit was held to address the growing problem that has affected residential homes and apartments, office buildings, movie theaters, hotels, hospitals and retail stores. The latest victim is retail store Niketown in Manhattan where the bed bug infestation forced them to shut down their landmark store in order to address their bed bug problem.

How to Check for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs need a human host to feed. So, you are most likely able to find them near where you sleep or sit. Bed bugs are very small brown to red (depending on when they’ve fed) hard shelled insects. They usually leave brown spots or their shell skin on mattresses, sheets, clothing, suitcases, furniture, carpets (especially around the floorboards near a bed). Here is a checklist of where to look:

• all surfaces of your mattress
• the headboard and footboard of a bed
• carpet, particularly around the floorboards near a bed or sofa
• all surfaces of a sofa
• clothing
• sheets
• curtains
• furniture, especially nightstands and dressers
• suitcases - Bed bugs are prevalent in hotel rooms, which make transporting them home in your luggage an easy way to become infested.

*Bed bugs primarily come out at night when it is dark. If bed bugs are suspected, but no evidence is found, searching at night with a flashlight might be necessary.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Now that you’ve established their presence (and that you’re not going crazy), there are several methods of treatment. Here is a list of what needs to be done to get rid of the initial infestation and maintenance to keep them away:

• call in a professional pest control service - Do-it-yourself pesticides can be hazardous inside the home to you and your pets. They usually tend to be ineffective on bed bugs as they are highly resistant.discard or wash all clothing in hot water and dry as much as you can in the dryer
• vacuum all carpets, mattresses and furniture
• steam clean all mattresses, furniture and carpets - The heat will help to kill and bed bug eggs.
• seal up bed bug hiding areas - Work with your professional pest control company to determine which areas are most at risk for bed bug hiding places that can be sealed up.

Cleaning up after Bed Bug Treatment

It is an essential part of your bed bug elimination and maintenance plan to clean up after a bed bug treatment. Pest control companies handle the chemical part of getting rid of bed bugs. The non-chemical part is up to you.

Action Cleaners provides a professional bed bug cleaning service that will help ensure your home or business stays bed bug free. Here is a list of bed bug services Action Cleaners provides:

• bag and clean all clothing
• vacuum carpets, furniture and mattresses
• steam clean all mattresses
• floor care for hard surface floors and carpets including steam cleaning
• upholstery cleaning including steam cleaning
• residential cleaning - detailed and thorough
• commercial cleaning - comprehensive cleaning for businesses

Bed bugs have proved to be extremely difficult to eliminate on your own. To do it right, effectively and quickly, professionals are required. Let Action Cleaners take the worry of bed bugs off your mind and give you back your sanity.

Please request a free estimate using the form below or contact us directly at toll free 1-877-667-4725 for more information on our professional cleaning services. We are happy to provide references for our exceptional service. Please view our client's feedback on our testimonials page.