Bed Bugs

Bed Bug Identification

Found throughout all 50 states, bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feed exclusively on blood. Humans serve as their primary host, but they also feed on birds and mammals. Bed bugs are secretive and remain well hidden in cracks and crevices located in places where they are not likely to be disturbed. Bed bugs typically feed at night while their host lay fast asleep, and they can live for a year or longer without a blood meal. Their bite is essentially painless, so they are rarely detected at the time of feeding activity.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of animals or humans. They have flat bodies, about the size of an apple seed, and can swell up and become redder after a blood meal. Adult bed bugs have oval-shaped bodies with six legs, while the nymphs (young bedbugs) are smaller and translucent or whitish-yellow in color.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

The first sign of a bed bug infestation may be the appearance of bites on the skin or the appearance of small brownish dots on the bed, as bed bugs leave behind specks of fecal matter on mattresses, sheets, or nearby furniture. Look out for small bloodstains on your sheets or mattress, which result from accidentally crushing bed bugs after they’ve fed. Bed bugs also shed their skins as they grow, so you might find these translucent shells in areas where bed bugs hide.

 

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Bites

 

Where Do Bed bugs Live?

Bed bugs live in groups and inhabit areas where humans sleep or rest for extended periods of time. Bed bugs are usually transported, unknowingly, from place to place as people travel. They conceal themselves in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, bedding, furniture, and anywhere they can hide. Bed bugs can be found in homes, hotels, apartment buildings, schools, medical facilities, and other areas frequented by the public. These pests favor cracks, crevices, or seams in headboards, mattresses, luggage, backpacks, and upholstered furniture.

Diet of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood, typically at night when their hosts are asleep. While they prefer human blood, they can also feed on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.

Life Cycle of Bed Bugs

The life cycle of a bed bug consists of several stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Under favorable conditions, bed bugs can mature from eggs to adults in about a month. They require a blood meal at each stage of their development.

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites often appear in a line or cluster on the skin and can cause itching, redness and swelling. Their bites can vary in appearance and may not cause immediate pain. However, not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, so it’s essential to look for other signs as well.

Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

Bed bugs do not spread disease and are not considered dangerous; however, an allergic reaction to several bites may need medical attention. Additionally, dealing with a bed bug infestation can be stressful and disruptive to your daily life. It’s essential to address infestations promptly to prevent them from spreading and causing further issues.

How to Get Rid of Bed bugs?

Dealing with a bed bug infestation requires a comprehensive approach as this tiny and persistent pest can be extremely tricky to treat without the help of a professional pest control company. You can help keep them away by regularly vacuuming, cleaning and decluttering to eliminate hiding spots. If you find evidence of a bed bug infestation, wash bedding, linens and clothing in very hot water and dry them on a high heat to kill any bed bugs present.

If you need help with a bed bug infestation, call our expert team of professional bed bug exterminators to help evict them for good!

Bed Bug Prevention Tips

Preventing bed bug infestations is key to keeping them away from your home or business. Be cautious when travelling and staying in hotels or other accommodation to avoid picking up any unwanted hitchhikers. Check the rooms for signs of bed bugs including the bloodstains and dark spots on the mattress and aim to store your luggage on a raised wrack or stand to avoid laying it on the carpet.

Use protective covers on your mattresses and furniture and try to reduce clutter to remove any potential hiding spots. Finally seal cracks in walls, baseboards and furniture to prevent bed bugs entering your property.

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FAQ’S

 

What are the early signs of bed bugs?

Early signs of bed bugs include: Itchy bites in a clustered or linear pattern, bloodstains on sheets or pillowcases, dark spots or specks (fecal matter) on bedding or furniture and shed skins or eggshells in areas where bed bugs hide.

What is the main cause for bed bugs?

Bed bugs are typically introduced into a home through infested furniture, luggage, or clothing. They can also migrate from neighboring infested dwellings through cracks and crevices.

What brings bed bugs into the house?

Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and the scent of human blood. They are often brought into the house through infested furniture, luggage, or clothing, or they can migrate from nearby infested dwellings.

Where do bed bugs hide on your body?

Bed bugs typically do not remain on your body for extended periods. They prefer to hide in cracks and crevices near their host’s sleeping area, such as in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, or nearby furniture. However, they may occasionally feed on exposed skin while their host is asleep.

Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder Bugs in North Carolina

Boxelder bugs are true bugs and named for their prime host, the boxelder tree, which is cultivated throughout the United States. Boxelder bugs usually feed on the leaves, flowers, and seed pods of the box elder tree, although they occasionally occur on maple and ash trees. These bugs often become nuisances in the fall as they congregate in search of an overwintering site. Like many other pests, boxelder bugs will often be seen either when they enter a home to overwinter, or when they emerge as spring rolls around.

Because there are many different types of insects in North Carolina, they can be difficult to distinguish, however our common insect species can help with this.

Boxelder Bug Habitat

In the fall, adult boxelder bugs assemble on the south sides of trees, rocks, and buildings to warm themselves in the sun. After large masses of bugs accumulate, they tend to fly to nearby buildings or other protected sites where they hibernate for the winter. They will enter homes and buildings and hibernate within the walls of the structure. Boxelder bugs do not reproduce inside homes but enter through windows, doors, ceiling lights, soffit and dryer vents, outdoor faucets, and on the siding of a home.

Boxelder Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

During the winter months, individuals or small parties of boxelder bugs enter homes and fly into windows, bathtubs, and sinks, congregating on the floor adjacent to their overwintering harborage. Boxelder bugs can be annoying and may spot curtains, furnishings, and clothing with their excrement.  When crushed, they give off an offensive odor. If trapped in basements or houses, they will eventually die.

If you have a boxelder bug infestation, always contact your local pest control professional for assistance.

Boxelder Bug Bites

Boxelder bugs are generally not known to bite, though there are rare reports of defensive biting. These bites are not known to transmit diseases or cause significant harm, resulting in little more than minor irritation in most cases. These bugs do not sting and are not known to cause damage to homes, however, their feces can stain light-colored surfaces. 

Signs of a Boxelder Bug Infestation

The most apparent sign of a boxelder bug infestation is the presence of large numbers of these insects congregating on the sunny side of buildings, trees, and rocks, especially during the fall. Inside homes, they are often found around windows, in bathtubs, and sinks, indicating they are seeking overwintering sites. Another sign is the staining of curtains, furnishings, and clothing with their excrement, which can leave behind unsightly marks on light-colored surfaces.

Are Boxelder Bugs Dangerous?

While boxelder bugs are considered a nuisance, they pose no significant danger to humans or pets. Their sheer numbers can though be overwhelming and unsightly, especially when they invade homes in search of overwintering sites.

How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs?

Effective control of boxelder bugs involves a combination of preventative measures and direct action:

  • Exclusion: Seal cracks and gaps in the home’s exterior, including around windows, doors, and foundation, to prevent bugs from entering.
  • Mechanical Removal: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove boxelder bugs from inside the house. Ensure the vacuum bag is promptly disposed of to prevent them from escaping.
  • Chemical Control: Insecticidal soaps or pyrethroid-based insecticides can be applied to the exterior of buildings where bugs congregate, though such measures should be used sparingly and according to environmental guidelines.

Boxelder Bug Prevention Tips

Preventing an infestation is often easier than controlling one. Maintain screens on windows and doors to block entry, remove boxelder trees near the property if feasible, and regularly inspect and seal potential entry points in the home’s exterior. Reducing outdoor lighting can also deter boxelder bugs, as they are attracted to lights during their mating season.

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FAQs

 

Should I Worry About Boxelder Bugs?

While boxelder bugs are more of an annoyance than a health or structural threat, large infestations can be disruptive and unsightly. Taking steps to prevent their entry and consulting with our trained experts can help manage their presence effectively.

What Does It Mean When You See a Boxelder Bug?

Seeing boxelder bugs, especially in large numbers, typically indicates that their preferred habitat, the boxelder tree, is nearby. These insects are attracted to the warmth and shelter provided by buildings and homes as they prepare for overwintering during the colder months. The appearance of boxelder bugs in or around your home during the fall can also suggest they are seeking entry points to find a suitable place to survive the winter. Their presence is more common in sunny areas where they can bask and warm themselves.

What Attracts Boxelder Bugs to My House?

Boxelder bugs are primarily attracted to homes for two reasons: warmth and shelter for overwintering. They are drawn to buildings that receive ample sunlight, particularly the south and west sides where the sun is most direct. These insects are looking for crevices and openings where they can enter to find a safe spot to spend the winter. Entry points include gaps around windows and doors, siding, utility pipes, and underneath exterior facades.

Stink Bugs

Stink Bugs in North Carolina

Stink bugs are large, oval, or shield-shaped insects found throughout the United States. They get their common name from the odor of the chemical that they produce in glands on their abdomen, possibly as a defense against predators. Stink bugs are primarily cropping pests, damaging fruit and fruit trees. They can become a nuisance pest for homeowners when they enter homes in the fall looking for warmth. Stink bugs are attracted to the south side of structures on warm fall days in search of protected, overwintering sites and can enter homes in large numbers.

Because there are many different types of beetles in North Carolina, they can be difficult to distinguish, however our common beetle species can help with this.

Stink Bug Habitat

In the wild, stink bug adults spend the winter months in cracks or under the peeling bark of older or dead trees. In early autumn, stink bugs look for wintering sites. Outdoors, they can often be found on the outsides of buildings, in leaf litter and vegetation. When brown marmorated stink bugs enter homes, they congregate near doors, windows, and other entry points. They seek out narrow spaces to hide, preferring high and cool locations. Stink bugs can be found in cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. In the spring, adults move from overwintering sites to host plants.

Stink Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Stink bugs do not bite or sting and are not harmful to people, houses, or pets. While the insects are not harmful, they are noisy and notorious for their pungent smell. Homeowners are sometimes alarmed when stink bugs enter homes in large numbers. Although stink bugs will not reproduce or cause damage inside structures, they will emit a pungent odor when crushed or disturbed and can stain surfaces.

If you have a stink bug problem in your North Carolina property, contact your local exterminators for help.

Stink Bug Bites

Stink bugs are not known for biting humans or animals. Their mouthparts are adapted for feeding on plant sap and are not designed for biting, stinging, or injecting venom. As such, Stink bugs are generally harmless to humans and pets in terms of physical harm.

Are Stink Bugs Dangerous?

Stink bugs are not considered dangerous to humans or pets in terms of transmitting diseases or causing physical harm. However, they are known for their defensive mechanism, which can be a source of discomfort.

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs?

If you find stink bugs in your home or garden and wish to control their population, there are several methods to consider:

  • Physical Removal: The most straightforward method is to physically remove Stink bugs from your home. You can use a gentle vacuum cleaner to collect them or catch them in a container and release them outdoors.
  • Sealing Entry Points: Preventing Stink bugs from entering your home is a key prevention strategy. Seal cracks, gaps, and openings in doors, windows, and foundations. Repair damaged screens and use weather stripping to ensure a tight seal.
  • Light Traps: Stink bugs are attracted to light sources at night. You can use light traps or sticky traps near windows to capture Stink bugs that are drawn to the light.
  • Professional Pest Control: In severe infestations, consider contacting our expert pest control professionals to get rid of Stink bugs.

Stink Bug Prevention Tips

Taking proactive measures to prevent a Stink bug infestation is crucial for protecting your property from pests:

  • Inspect Your Home: Regularly inspect your home for potential entry points and seal them to prevent stink bugs from getting inside.
  • Remove Attractants: Reduce outdoor lighting at night, as stink bugs are attracted to light sources. Additionally, remove vegetation that may attract them, such as fruit-bearing trees and plants near your home.
  • Harvest Crops Promptly: If you have a garden, harvest fruits and vegetables promptly to reduce the potential food source for Stink bugs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Should you Kill Stink Bugs?

While Stink bugs can be a nuisance, it’s not necessary to kill them. Instead, consider using non-lethal methods to remove them from your home, such as vacuuming or capturing them and releasing them outdoors.

What are the Dangers of Stink Bugs?

Stink bugs are not physically harmful to humans or pets. However, they are known for emitting a foul-smelling odor when threatened, which can be unpleasant.

What Kills Stink Bugs Instantly?

To remove a Stink bug quickly, you can capture it in a container and release it outdoors. Avoid squishing them, as this can release their odor.

What Attracts Stink Bugs to my House?

Stink bugs are attracted to sources of warmth, light, and potential food. They may enter homes seeking shelter and warmth during the fall and winter months.