Bed Bug Treatment
Bed bugs are blood-seeking insects known for infesting areas where people and animals sleep and are a growing problem in Denton County, particularly in areas with large or transient human populations, such as apartment buildings, hotels, cruise ships, dormitories and even homes. Their bites cause itchy red welts, infections and allergic reactions as a result of the germs they inject under the skin as they feed.
North Texas, the average cost for bedbug extermination ranges between $320 and $500 per Room (10 x 15'). Pricing will vary based on the severity of the bedbug infestation, the number of rooms affected, and what type of treatment is required to eliminate the little pests. Fact is, bedbug infestations get worse, never better, if left untreated. It's wise to deal with the problem early on, to prevent the infestation from spreading to other parts of your home or office, and also to prevent passing the bedbugs on to visitors who will then carry them to other locations. Bed Bugs can hitch a ride on your clothing and in your luggage regardless of staying in a 1 Star or 5 Star Hotel. So in short I have seen some companies charge in excess of $1500 for a treatment, the cost is driven by labor and cost of product. Keep in mind, some companies pricing is based on what they think they can squeeze out of you.
Bed Bug Bite
Bedbugs are tiny, smaller than a lentil or an apple seed, and are no thicker than a credit card — unless engorged with blood. They have six legs and short antennae that point forward; if you see a bug of the same shape and color but with eight legs, it may be a mite or a tick. Bedbugs will often crowd together into cozy cracks and crevices together, but are also prone to going off alone, especially the females. If you find one grouping of them, that does not mean you have discovered them all, and treating just that area may not control the whole infestation. Bedbugs don't have wings and cannot fly, but you may see the adults run across a bed, molding or piece of furniture.
Adult bedbugs are rust or mahogany in color. If they have just fed (on blood) they are more rounded in shape and have a richer, red color. Bedbugs mainly feed on human blood, but some strains also have adapted to other mammals, such as your pets. Adult females lay white or clear eggs that are no bigger than a pinhead — approximately 1 millimeter in size. The eggs hatch within 4-12 days, according to the EPA, and move through a series of five nymphal growth stages. As they advance through these stages, the nymphs grow from approximately 1.5 millimeters to approximately 4.5 millimeters. Nymphs are white-yellow or clear, unless they have recently fed. These pre-adult larvae must feed on blood to progress to their next nymphal stage. Each time they progress to the next stage, they shed their current exoskeleton, so flaky bedbugs skins are a strong indicator of bedbugs in your midst. Bedbugs are primarily nocturnal; most nymphs and adults feed on sleeping or resting humans in the darkness, although they will come out in the daylight if they're hungry enough. They take advantage of exposed skin, so your neck, arms or legs are often easy targets while you sleep. Bedbug bites are not the easiest way to identify a bedbug problem, as not everyone has a reaction to bedbug bites and the bites can also be confused for mosquito bites or other insect bites.
