PESTS
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Termites

Question: Are Termites active only in the spring when I see them swarm?
Answer
: No. Termites are active 24 hours a day and 7 days a week year round.

Question: Sometimes down south I see houses that are tented to treat for Termites. Do they do that here in New York?
Answer
: In the south they have a different kind of Termites, Drywood Termites, that are treated by tenting since they actually live in the house. Here in the Northeast we have Eastern Subterranean Termites. Since they live underground, tenting would have no effect on them. We treat our Termite in other ways including Chemical and Bait.

Question: How do I tell flying ants from termites?
Answer
: Many ways. Termites drop their winds to mate and then try to return to the ground. If you miss the swarm itself, you will find lots and lots of wings on a windowsill or near another heat or light source. The wings are the size and shape of rice. They are white-opaque and not visible reined. Ants do not usually drop their wings. in addition, Termites have straight antennae while ants antenae are elbowed. See comparison Lastly Termite wings are all the same length while ants have long and short wings.

Question: What is this new termite treatment I've heard of where you use bait?
Answer
: It's called the *Sentricon ™. This state of the art technology, the *Sentricon™ Colony Elimination System, will protect your building from termite invasion. Each *Sentricon™ station placed in the soil around your home acts as a monitoring device that will alert your Arrow technician during their monthly service checks to the presence of termites. These same stations are designed to deliver a special bait that the termites themselves pass from one to the other, causing the colony's total elimination. *Sentricon's™ monitoring and baiting system is the least intrusive method of termite control and offers you the most affordable and continuous protection from termite damage.

Question: How is the *Sentricon Colony Elimination System ™ different from conventional Termite treatment?
Answer
:

  • The new *Sentricon ™ colony elimination system is a solid bait compared to traditional liquid termiticides. That means that there is no potential for odor or liquid seepage into places you never wanted.
  • *Sentricon ™ is placed into the ground outside the building as compared to liquids that are pumped into the ground (next to foundation walls). Therefore, with *Sentricon ™, hoses are not dragged through the home and holes are not drilled through ceramic, or other tiles, in basement and slab areas of homes.
  • Conventional liquid termiticides create a barrier around the home while *Sentricon ™ promises 'total colony elimination'.
    Sentricon Logo

     
    Authorized Firm for *Sentricon™ Colony Elimination System
    [Contact us]

Question: When I have a Termite problem does that mean that Termites are living in my home?
Answer
: No. Termites live in the soil under and around the building. They travel to and from the wooden portions of the structure (on which they feed) through mud tunnels they build. That way they can get to the food source they require without leaving the moisture (which they also require) of the soil. Termite tunnels or shelter tubes can often be seen on foundation walls, structural timbers in basements, crawl spaces or in garages. Sometimes probing is required to find Termite evidence.

Question: Do Termites really do damage?
Answer
: Yes, but it usually takes time. Each year Termites are responsible for more damage to homes than fire and floods combined.

Question: Why do termites attack your building?
Answer
: Termites have been around since the time of dinosaurs. Their mission in their natural habitat is to help destroy dead trees in the forest by reducing the wood to humus which is then available to nourish living trees. At the time our homes were built much of the forest was removed. More than a billion dollars are spent annually in repairing property damage caused by termites. This is evidence of the fact that the wood in our homes is just as palatable to termites as the dead trees in the forest. Termite colonies are in the soil - not in the building. They find cracks and crevices that allow them to reach the structural timbers of the structure. However, they must regularly travel back to the colony in the soil for moisture, which is so vital to their existence. In the Spring, termites emerge in a mating flight. They are small black insects that lose their wings soon after emerging. These small black reproductive die because they quickly lose the moisture stored in their bodies. This leads some people to believe that termites are only active in the Spring. This is completely false. Termites are active throughout the entire year. Because the worker termites that do the damage do not like to be exposed to light, they have developed ingenious ways of getting into buildings without being seen while they do their destructive work. Single colonies of termites have been known to have as many as one million members.
 

Termite Ant
Straight antennae Elbowed antennae
No waistline Narrow waistline
Front and back wings
exactly same size
Front wings much longer
than back wings
Don't confuse termites with flying ants
Termite Carpenter Ant
Termite Swarmer Termite Worker Termite Soldier Termite Tunnels
Swarmer Termite Worker Termite Soldier Termite Tubes
Termite Damage Termite Worker Workers / Soldier Swarmers
Damage Termite Tunnels Termite Soldier Swarm

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Carpenter Ants

Carpenter AntQuestion: Can Carpenter Ants bite?
Answer
: Yes. Some times when people touch or disturb them they can bite you. [Contact us]

Question: Is Arrow licensed and insured?
Answer
: Yes. Arrow and its personnel are fully licensed and insured by New York State and the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation.)

Question: Do Carpenter Ants eat wood like termites?
Answer
: No. Carpenter Ants tear apart the wood but don't ingest it like termites. They mine out the wood to make galleries in which they live.

Question: Do Carpenter Ants do as much damage as Termites?
Answer
: No but under certain conditions where there are leaks in the structure, Carpenter Ants can mine out vast areas and can do thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Question: Do Carpenter Ants have wings?
Answer
: Yes the reproductive ants have wings and they swarm during the mating season. This may occur in late spring or late summer depending on weather conditions.

Question: Do Carpenter Ants look like Termites?
Answer
: No. The reproductive Carpenter Ants Comparison Chart doesn't lose its wings easily (they might chew them off) where as Termites loose their wings easily. If you find a pile of wings this usually indicates there was a Termite swarm and that if it is in a structure, that structure may be infested by Termites. Carpenter Ants have a pinched waistline and termites don't.

Question: Do Carpenter Ants come in different sizes?
Answer
: Yes. Depending on the size of the colony (a mature colony can have 3 - 4 thousand ants.) The larger the colony the larger the ants.

Question: How do I know if I have a Carpenter Ant problem?

Answer: One sure way is by seeing them in your home. You may see 1 or 50 at a time. Seeing "frass" piles of small wood shavings by widows in the basement on sill plates, in the garage by the door jamb etc. This frass is an indication that Carpenter Ants are "mining" through the wood to make harborage for themselves. To be absolutely sure you should get in touch with a pest control professional for a free inspection (if you live in the New York Metropolitan area including Long Island give us a call or email us and we will be glad to help.

Question: Where will they make nests in my home?

Answer: Once carpenter ants enter your home, they will look for moisture and will usually establish a nest in water damaged wood (although the satellite nests can live in hot dry attics.) Examples of possible infestation sites:

    Bullseye BulletWood in contact with soil (porch supports, siding, stairs, etc.)
    Bullseye BulletWood affected by water seepage near plugged drains, gutters, window frames, leaking doors, etc.
    Bullseye BulletWood in areas of improper ventilation such as cellars, crawl spaces, attics, etc.
    Bullseye BulletVoid areas near a moisture source (hollow doors, under bathtubs, etc.)
     

Question: Does Arrow offer programs to treat Carpenter Ants?
Answer
: Absolutely! Arrow is a full service pest control company. Simply contact us by clicking on (contact us) us or by calling us at 516-593-7770. [Contact us]

 

Question: What are Carpenter Ants and how do they enter my home?
Answer
: Carpenter ants are a wood nesting member of the ant family. They live in all areas of the United States and feed on other insects and a variety of human foods. Carpenter ants like bees and termites are social insects that live together in colonies made up of different types of members. A carpenter ant nest contains males, queens, and workers with as many as 3,000-4,000 ants. Carpenter ants in our areas are usually black, but may vary in color. They are relatively large as ants go and range in size ("1/4" - 1 1/2") depending on the species. Carpenter ants are sometimes confused with termites because they can also damage wood. However, unlike termites, they do not eat wood, but tunnel into it to develop nests. When a colony increases in size or the present nest becomes unsuitable, they will migrate. Depending upon where they find ideal food and moisture conditions, they may build another nest in your home. In the summer they swarm. Winged reproductive appear, and they look very much like black wasps. Carpenter ants enter your home in a variety of ways while they are searching for food and suitable nesting sites. Just about any small crack or opening is an invitation for outdoor insects looking for food and shelter. Carpenter ants will forage up to several hundred feet and will eat almost any household food.
Following are just four (4) ways that carpenter ants enter your homes:

  1. carried into your home in firewood
  2. falling from tree branches
  3. crawling up foundation walls
  4. along telephone wires

 

Question: How can Arrow's customized treatments help me?
Answer
: Our fully trained representatives will make a thorough inspection of your home, including crawl spaces, attic, basement, porches and even the area immediately surrounding your house. If he finds carpenter ants he will outline specific treatment procedures based on existing evidence, moisture conditions, proximity of possible entry points, etc. His treatment recommendations will include drilling tiny holes in wall voids in moisture prone areas and forcing insecticide dust into these wall voids. This is done to effectively surround the ants and eliminate the nest. When complete, all drilled areas are neatly sealed by our trained technicians. Treatment may vary according to the type and size of home and the extent of the infestation. In some cases, treatment might include power spraying, power dusting and/or chemical misting of insecticide.


Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ant QueenCarpenter ants are important in the balance of nature because they burrow and nest in dead trees and enhance decay of the wood. They achieve pest status when a colony invades and damages the integrity of the wood within a house.

Carpenter ants are generally jet black, but there may be some that are reddish in color. They are among the largest of ants; their size range from one-quarter to one-half inch in length. This variation in size depends on the species. Also, colony members include "major" and "minor" workers as well as the "queen", the reproductive member that produces all additional members of the colony. The "castes" are different in size and appearance.

Mature colonies produce winged reproductive ants at any time, but the majority develops in late summer. Surviving pairs attempt to establish new colonies. The diet of carpenter ants is quite varied and includes living and dead insects, honeydew from aphids, sweets, meat, and fats. They do not eat wood. Foraging workers collect all the food for the colony. They carry food back to the nest intact or ingested and later regurgitate it to non-foraging7 members in the nest. These ants may forage up to 100 yards from the nest to search for food. Carpenter ants may become pests in houses by foraging there for food. The greatest concern, however is that they may cause serious damage to wood in the structure. Unlike termites, they do not feed upon wood, but merely use it as a place to nest. Carpenter ants construct their nests in hollow trees, logs, posts, landscaping timbers, and wood used in homes and other structures. These ants prefer to infest wood that is moist and rotting. They will also use an old abandoned nest or wood that has been "gallerized" by termites. Nest may be located in hollow doors or small void areas produced during construction. Carpenter ants may move from decaying portions of wood into sound lumber in the process of expanding the nest. They cut galleries with the grain of the wood following the softer parts of the wood. The ants leave harder parts of the wood as walls separating the tunnels and cut openings in these walls to allow access between tunnels. Access to the outside may be through natural openings, or the ants may cut openings where none exist. Carpenter ants keep occupied galleries clean. They remove wood in the form of a coarse sawdust-like material, which they push from the nest. This often results in a pile of frass (sawdust) accumulating just below the nest entrance hole. This pile may include, in addition to wood fragments, other debris from the nest, including bits of soil, dead ants, parts of insects and remnants of other foods they have eaten.
 
    
Termite Ant
Straight antennae Elbowed antennae
No waistline Narrow waistline
Front and back wings
exactly same size
Front wings much longer
than back wings
Termite Carpenter Ant

When termites swarm in the spring or fall, they are often mistaken for flying ants because both have wings. Swarming termites quickly shed their wings, though, and burrow into the ground to start new colonies.

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Question: Can Bed Bugs bite?
Answer
: Yes. It takes about 2-3 minutes to take a full meal. (see video above)

 Bed Bud Bites  Bed Bite

Question: Is Arrow licensed and insured?
Answer
: Yes. Arrow and its personnel are fully licensed and insured by New York State and the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation.)

Question: Do Bed Bugs fly?
Answer
: No. They do not have wings.

Question: Do Bed Bugs transmit diseases?
Answer
: Not as far as we (Entomologist and pest control industry) know.

Question: How far will Bed Bugs travel?
Answer
: Usually not far. Between 10 feet and 100 feet but not often farther than 20 feet.

Question: How do Bed bugs develop?
Answer
: Through simple metamorphasis. (i.e. egg, nymph and adult)

Question: How long can a Bed Bug go without a blood meal?
Answer
: They can easily live 3 months or longer without a blood meal.

Question: Are Bed Bugs only found in bedding?
Answer
: No. Bed Bugs can be anywhere that there is a crack and crevice but they do prefer warmth.  

Question: Can you smell Bed Bugs?
Answer
: Yes. The smell is a pungent rancid odor.

Question: What do Bed Bugs feed on?
Answer
: They feed on blood only.

Question: Can other animals become infested with Bed Bugs?
Answer
: Yes. They will feed on animals as well as humans.

Question: How do (did) I get them?
Answer
: You carried them in or they traveled from another apartment. It could have been from other places such as hotels, movie theater, vacation etc.

Question: Why have Bed Bugs become such a problem?
Answer
: Over the years pesticide use has gone down in favor of I.P.M. (Integrated Pest Management) as well as the increase in travel.

Question: Why is it so costly to treat for Bed Bugs?
Answer
: A Bed Bug job is extremely labor intensive. It can take a day or more to treat a home the first time.

Question: Can you see them?
Answer
: Yes. They are plainly visible and once engorged with blood they are even more visible.

Question: After a treatment can I get them again? How?
Answer
: Yes. You can get them again by carrying them in on you just like before.

Question: What attracts them to us?
Answer
: The same thing that attracts Mosquitoes to humans. Warmth and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide).

Question: Are there different kinds of Bed Bugs?
Answer
: The Bat bug is found on Long Island.

Question: Can you freeze Bed Bugs? What happens?
Answer
: Yes you can freeze them if done quickly.

Question: Can I get rid of Bed Bugs?
Answer
: Not by yourself unless you are very lucky and they are just starting, contained and eliminated. By the time you find them they are usually well established. Best bet? Call a professional who carefully and professionally handles them on a daily basis. One with the training, staff and history. As you can see below they are mighty small. Email us for More information

Bed Bug on a penny The bed bug on a penny

Question: How do I know if I have a Bed Bug problem?
Answer
: One sure way is by seeing them in your home. You may see 1 or 100 at a time. Look for blood stains on your sheets, bites on your body, or actually seeing them. If you are not sure call or email us for an I.D. and inspection [Contact us]

 Bed Bugs on a mattress  Bed Bug feces

Question: Where can Bed Bugs be found in my home? Answer: One big problem with Bed Bugs is they go everywhere. Any crack and crevice. Behind pictures. Screw holes. Bedding. Just about anywhere you can think of.

    Bullseye BulletAny Crack and Crevice.
    Bullseye BulletBed Frames, in bedding, under box spring.
    Bullseye BulletBehind pictures.
    Bullseye BulletBy now you may know they can be ANYWHERE!
     
Bed bugs on mattress tag Bed Bug feces
 
Bed bugs on a mattress Bed Bug in mattress

Question: Does Arrow offer programs to treat Bed Bugs?
Answer
: Absolutely! Arrow is a full service pest control company. Simply contact us by clicking on (contact us) or by calling us at 516-593-7770.

Question: What are Bed Bugs and how do they enter my home?
Answer
: Most householders of this generation have never seen a Bed Bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity among pest control professionals. Bed Bug infestations were common in the United States before World War II. But with improvements in hygiene, and especially the widespread use of DDT during the 1940s and '50s, the bugs all but vanished. The pests remained prevalent, though, in other regions of the world including Asia, Africa, Central/South America and Europe. In recent years, Bed Bugs have also made a comeback in the U.S. They are increasingly being encountered in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, shelters and modes of transport. International travel has undoubtedly contributed to the resurgence of Bed Bugs in this country. Changes in modern pest control practice - and less effective Bed Bug pesticides - are other factors suspected for the recurrence.
 

Description and Habits

(M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) Bed Bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. The common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius, is the species most adapted to living with humans. It has done so since ancient times. Bed Bugs are mentioned, for example, in medieval European texts and in classical Greek writings back to the time of Aristotle. Other Bed Bug species prefer to feed on wild hosts, especially bats and birds. Adult Bed Bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. The immatures (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color. Bed Bugs do not fly, but can move quickly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Female Bed Bugs lay their eggs in secluded areas, depositing up to five a day and 500 during a lifetime. The eggs are tiny, whitish, and hard to see without magnification (individual eggs are about the size of a dust spec). When first laid, the eggs are sticky, causing them to adhere to substrates. Newly hatched nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable conditions (70 - 90° F), the bugs can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more generations per year. Cool temperatures or limited access to a blood meal extends the development time. Bed Bugs are very resilient. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year. Infestations therefore are unlikely to diminish by leaving premises unoccupied. Although C. lectularius prefers feeding on humans, it will also bite other warm-blooded animals, including pets. Bed Bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices - especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. Bed Bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Dark spots of Bed Bug excrement on a mattress. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) Characteristically these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, molted skins of maturing nymphs, and the bugs themselves. Another likely sign of Bed Bugs is rusty or reddish spots of blood on bed sheets or mattresses. Heavy infestations are sometimes accompanied by a "buggy" or sweetish odor, although such smells are not always apparent. Bed Bugs prefer to hide close to where they feed. However if necessary, they will crawl more than 100 feet to obtain a blood meal. Initial infestations tend to be around beds, but the bugs eventually may become scattered throughout a room, occupying any crevice or protected location. They also can spread to adjacent rooms or apartments.

Bites and Concerns

Bed Bugs usually bite people at night while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin with an elongated beak through which they withdraw blood. Engorgement takes about three to 10 minutes, yet the person seldom knows they are being bitten. Symptoms thereafter vary with the individual. Some people develop an itchy welt or localized swelling, while others have little or no reaction. Unlike fleabites that occur mainly around the ankles, Bed Bugs feed on any bare skin exposed while sleeping (face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, etc.). The welts and itching are often attributed to other causes such as mosquitoes. For these reasons, infestations may go a long time unnoticed, and can become quite large before being detected. Conversely, it is important to recognize that not all bites or bite-like reactions are due to Bed Bugs. Confirmation requires finding and identifying the bugs, themselves. (Other possible sources of irritation are discussed in University of Kentucky entomology fact sheet ENT-58: Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes). A common concern with Bed Bugs is whether they transmit diseases. Although Bed Bugs can harbor pathogens in their bodies, transmission to humans is considered highly unlikely. For this reason, they are not considered a serious disease threat. Their medical significance is mainly limited to the itching and inflammation from their bites. The usual treatment prescribed is topical application of antiseptic or antibiotic creams or lotions to prevent infection.

How Infestations Originate

It often seems that Bed Bugs arise from nowhere. The bugs are efficient hitchhikers and are usually transported in on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture, etc. Outbreaks can often be traced to international travel from countries where the bugs are common, such as Asia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, or Central/South America. This is a particular problem for hotels, motels, and apartments, where turnover of occupants is constant. Bed Bugs are small, cryptic and agile, escaping detection after crawling into suitcases, boxes, and belongings. The eggs are almost impossible to see when laid on most surfaces. Purchase or rental of secondhand mattresses, box springs, and furniture is another way that the bugs are transported into previously non-infested dwellings. Once Bed Bugs are introduced, they often spread room to room throughout a building. Unlike cockroaches that feed on filth, the level of cleanliness has little to do with most Bed Bug infestations. Pristine homes, hotels, and apartments have plenty of hiding places and an abundance of warm-blooded hosts. Thus, they are almost as vulnerable to infestation as are places of squalor. When Bed Bug-like insects are found, it's important to consider whether bats, swallows, chimney swifts, pigeons, or other wild hosts are involved. Although similar in appearance, Bed Bug species that normally feed on bats and birds can be differentiated from those that prefer humans. Entomologists and knowledgeable pest control firms can make this determination.

Controlling Infestations

Bed Bugs are challenging pests to control. They hide in many tiny places, so inspections and treatments must be thorough. In most cases, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a professional pest control firm. Experienced companies know where to look for Bed Bugs, and have an assortment of management tools at their disposal. Owners and occupants will need to assist the professional in important ways. Affording access for inspection and treatment is essential, and excess clutter should be removed. In some cases, infested mattresses and box springs will need to be discarded. Since Bed Bugs can disperse throughout a building, it also may be necessary to inspect adjoining rooms and apartments.

Where They Hide

Bed Bugs often congregate along seams of mattresses and box springs. Blackish spots are excrement. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) Bed Bugs can live in almost any crevice or protected location. The most common place to find them is the bed. Bed Bugs often hide within seams, tufts, and crevices of the mattress, box spring, bed frame and headboard. A thorough inspection requires dismantling the bed and standing the components on edge. Things to look for are the bugs themselves, and the light-brown, molted skins of the nymphs. Dark spots of dried Bed Bug excrement are often present along mattress seams or wherever the bugs have resided. Oftentimes the gauze fabric underlying the box spring must be removed to gain access for inspection and possible treatment. Successful treatment of mattresses and box springs is difficult, however, and infested components may need to be discarded. Cracks and crevices of bed frames should be examined, especially if the frame is wood. (Bed Bugs have an affinity for wood and fabric more so than metal or plastic). Headboards secured to walls should also be removed and inspected. In hotels and motels, the area behind the headboard is often the first place that the bugs become established. Bed Bugs also hide among items stored under beds. Many areas besides beds, however, can harbor Bed Bugs. Bed Bugs hidden beside a recessed screw under a nightstand. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) Nightstands and dressers should be emptied and examined inside and out, then tipped over to inspect the woodwork underneath. Oftentimes the bugs will be hiding in cracks, corners, and recesses. Upholstered chairs and sofas should be checked, especially seams, tufts, skirts, and crevices beneath cushions. Sofas can be major Bed Bug hotspots when used for sleeping. Bed Bugs often reside along baseboards. Photo shows eggs, nymphs, and adults beneath carpet edge. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) Other common places to find Bed Bugs include: along and under the edge of wall-to-wall carpeting (especially behind beds and furniture); cracks in wood molding; ceiling-wall junctures; behind wall-mounts, picture frames, switch plates and outlets; under loose wallpaper; amongst clothing stored in closets; and inside clocks, phones, televisions and smoke detectors. The challenge is to find and treat all places where bugs and eggs may be present. Bed Bugs tend to congregate in certain areas, but it is common to find an individual or some eggs scattered here and there. Persistence and a bright flashlight are requisites for success. Inspectors sometimes also inject a pyrethrum-based, "flushing agent" into crevices to help reveal where bugs may be hiding. A thorough treatment of a home, hotel, or apartment may take up to several hours.

Treatment Procedures

Bed Bugs were treated years ago by wholesale spraying of beds, floors, walls, furniture, etc. with DDT. This practice is no longer permitted. Thoroughness is still important, but treatments today are generally more targeted and judicious. Inspections and treatments must be very thorough. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) It often takes hours to properly inspect and treat a Bed Bug infestation, and follow-up visits are usually required. As mentioned earlier, owners and occupants have important pre-treatment responsibilities. Reducing clutter is a necessity. Belongings strewn about rooms afford many places for Bed Bugs to hide, and impedes inspection and treatment. Infested bedding and garments will need to be bagged and laundered (120°F minimum), or discarded since these items cannot be treated with insecticides. Smaller items that cannot be laundered can sometimes be de-infested by heating. Individual items, for example, can be wrapped in plastic and placed in a hot, sunny location for at least a few days (the 120°F minimum target temperature should be monitored in the centermost location with a thermometer). Bedbugs also succumb to cold temperatures below 32° F, but the chilling period must be maintained for at least two weeks. Attempts to rid an entire home or apartment of Bed Bugs by raising or lowering the thermostat will be entirely unsuccessful. Vacuuming can be very useful for removing bugs and eggs from mattresses, carpet, walls, and other surfaces. Pay particular attention to seams, tufts and edges of mattresses and box springs, and the perimeter edge of wall-to-wall carpets. Afterward, dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed trash bag. Steam cleaning of carpets is also helpful for killing bugs and eggs that vacuuming may have missed. While the former measures are helpful, insecticides are important for Bed Bug elimination. Pest control professionals treat using a variety of low-odor sprays, dusts, and aerosols. (Baits designed to control ants and cockroaches are ineffective). Application entails treating all cracks and crevices where the bugs are discovered, or tend to hide. Some Bed Bug species are parasites of bats or birds, and may bite people if the wild hosts are no longer available. If bat bugs or bird bugs are involved, roosting and nesting sites should also be treated and the animals excluded from the building.

Do I Have to Throw Out the Bed?

Eliminating Bed Bugs from mattresses and box springs is challenging. If there are holes or tears in the fabric, the bugs and eggs may be inside, as well as outside. There also are restrictions on how beds can be treated with pesticides. For these reasons, pest control firms often recommend that infested beds be discarded. If disposal isn't an option, encasing the mattress and box spring will be helpful if bugs are still present. (Allergy supply companies sell zippered bed encasements for dust mite prevention). Some pest control firms treat seams, tufts, and crevices of bed components, but they will not spray the mattress surface, bed sheets, blankets, or clothing. Vacuuming will further help to remove bugs and eggs from mattresses and box springs that cannot be discarded. Some pest control firms also treat beds with portable steam machines. The technique is useful, but does not kill bugs or eggs that are hidden inside the box spring or mattress. Fumigation is another way to de-infest beds and hard-to-treat items, but the procedure is not always available. In extreme cases, entire buildings have been fumigated for Bed Bugs. The procedure is costly though, and involves covering the building in a tarp and injecting a lethal gas.

Avoiding Infestations

The cryptic, mobile nature of Bed Bugs limits their prevention. Avoidance is especially challenging in hotels, motels, and apartments because occupants and their belongings are constantly changing. This affords many opportunities for the bugs to be introduced. Householders should be wary of acquiring secondhand beds, bedding, and furniture. At a minimum, such items should be examined closely before being brought into the home. When traveling in countries where Bed Bugs are prevalent, it might be prudent to examine the bed and headboard area for signs of the bugs, and elevate luggage off the floor. Although incidence of Bed Bugs in the United States is increasing, they remain rare in comparison to most other pests. Familiarity may help to avoid infestation, or at least prompt earlier.

Thanks to Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

How can Arrow help?

That is a terrific question. The first thing that is needed is experience. We have the top entomologists in the country on staff at Arrow. We have a certified Entomologist training men on proper Bed Bug treatment. We have continuous training on the newest and best methods to solve Bed Bug infestation. We have come up with many of the methods commonly used by companies today. Arrow has been around since 1947 and is still family owned and cares about each and every customer. We have over 50 technicians to make sure there is always someone available to serve you. Besides our Entomologist we have 5 field supervisors to make sure you are taken care of professionally and with great care. If you have used us then this is just a review. If not I am sure you know someone who has so just ask them and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

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