Are you waking up to itchy bites and suspicious red marks on your skin? You might have unwelcome guests in your bed.

Bed bugs turn peaceful nights into sleepless struggles. These nocturnal pests are notorious for causing discomfort and irritation with their awful bites. The mere presence of bed bugs brings a myriad of troubles, including health anxiety and infestation concerns.

However, there’s no need to suffer in silence. We understand the challenges of bed bug infestations. At Janssen Pest Solutions, our team of experienced exterminators in Des Moines is here to provide you with fast and effective bed bug services so you can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep once again.

How can I prevent bed bugs?

Understanding how bed bugs operate and implementing preventative measures is crucial for minimizing infestations. We believe that employing preventative measures is the most effective way to keep these pests at bay.

Where do bed bugs come from?

Bed bugs are adept at finding their way into homes through a variety of means. This makes them a challenging pest to deal with. Though avoiding bed bugs entirely may be out of your control, understanding their habits is a crucial step in minimizing infestations.

It’s important to recognize that bed bugs are expert hitchhikers. They can attach themselves to luggage, clothing, and other personal belongings. This means that even a brief encounter in an infested environment, such as a hotel room or public transportation, can unintentionally introduce bed bugs into your living space upon your return. 

To minimize this risk, we recommend that frequent travelers thoroughly check hotels prior to booking. Research customer reviews and inspect online resources for any reports of bed bug incidents. Upon arrival, conduct a brief inspection of your hotel room. Focus on areas like the mattress seams, headboard, and furniture. These precautionary steps significantly reduce the likelihood of bringing bed bugs back home.

Secondhand items are another potential source of bed bug infestations. Used furniture, like mattresses, sofas, and upholstered chairs, can harbor bed bugs. Second-hand clothing and bedding pose the same risk.

It’s important to thoroughly inspect secondhand items before bringing them home. When purchasing used furniture, carefully examine all seams, crevices, and joints for signs of bed bugs and their eggs. If you purchase secondhand clothing or bedding, be sure to wash and dry these items at a high temperature before using them. Being diligent about checking secondhand items helps avoid the potential hassle of dealing with a bed bug infestation later on.

There are countless ways for bed bug infestations to occur—these are just two common examples. Infestations can happen to anyone, regardless of their cleanliness or the state of their home. Understanding some common risks and taking preventive measures helps minimize the risk.

What are the signs of bed bugs?

The first step in dealing with a bed bug infestation is confirming their presence. Some common signs of bed bugs include:

Bite Marks: Waking up with red, itchy welts on your skin is a common indicator of bed bug bites. These bites often occur in a linear or clustered pattern

Blood Stains: Bed bugs feed on blood. They may leave behind small blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases prior to feeding.

Dark Spots: Bed bugs leave behind fecal spots, which appear as tiny dark spots or smears. Keep an eye out for these marks on bedding, mattresses, walls, or furniture.

Eggshells and Shed Skins: Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons and leave empty eggshells as they progress through their life cycle. These objects are a telltale sign of their presence.

Musty Odor: Bed bugs release certain pheromones that produce a distinct smell. A strong, musty odor can be a sign of a large infestation.

Live Bed Bugs: While bed bugs are nocturnal and usually hide during the day, you may spot them crawling on your mattress, furniture, or walls, especially in the seams and crevices.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

Every bed bug issue is unique, and there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. While there are DIY methods for dealing with bed bugs, they’re often ineffective and can even make the problem worse by causing the bugs to scatter and spread. Professional exterminators have the expertise, tools, and knowledge to effectively eliminate bed bugs from your home, ensuring a thorough and lasting solution.

At Janssen Pest Solutions, our team works with you to understand your problem and develop a customized treatment plan. We offer a variety of treatment options to address bed bug issues of all sizes.

One treatment option is our convective bed bug heat system. Our system effectively eliminates unwanted bedmates without the need for harmful chemicals or pesticides. This tool is a game-changer in the battle against these persistent pests. It utilizes controlled heat to target bed bugs in all their hiding spots.

Our convective bed bug heat treatment works by gradually raising the temperature of the treatment area. The temperature becomes lethal to bed bugs without affecting the surrounding area, meaning your belongings stay safe from harm.  
What sets our convective heat treatment apart is its ability to penetrate deep into furniture, walls, and other hard-to-reach areas where bed bugs may hide. This helps ensure thorough eradication of the infestation.

Moreover, this method is safe for both humans and pets, as it does not involve any toxic substances or residues. Our convective bed bug heat system is highly effective and incredibly efficient, allowing quick treatment times and minimal disruption to your daily routine.

Remember that bed bugs are a common issue, and their presence does not indicate a lack of cleanliness. We want to emphasize that there’s no shame in seeking help! Our team of friendly Des Moines bed bug exterminators will assist you and provide discreet, professional services. Don’t let bed bugs take away your peace of mind. Contact us today for a free estimate and take the first step toward a bed-bug-free home.