FacebookInstagramYelpYouTube

Call: (216) 466-2486

Bed Bug Exterminator Cleveland, Ohio2025-03-07T13:20:07-05:00

Bed Bugs Control Service

Beg Bug Control Service Guide

Please download the guide to review all general information and the section related to your specific pest. 

Download Guide

Bed Bug Inspection

All services begin with an inspection visit. This is to confirm the activity of bed bugs, evaluate the level of infestation, locate what rooms are affected, and provide a price quote with personalized preparation guidelines. A non-refundable fee of $75 plus tax applies to inspect single-family homes. Extra units can be added for $50 per unit. Add $50 for inspections outside our service area.

Live bed bugs must be found before treatment can be scheduled. If you have seen live bed bugs, please save them in a Ziploc bag. You can also take a video showing the room with the bug moving. Or use a picture with location enabled on the file. That way, if we do not find any live bed bugs during the inspection, you have evidence that warrants treatment. The same goes for any retreatment request.

Bed Bug Service Plan

60-Day Service Agreement

  • Pricing is based on location, the level of infestation, the likelihood of re-infestation, and the number and condition of beds/rooms affected.
  • Our base price is $550 plus tax. This covers the living space and up to one bedroom.
  • The base price is $800 plus tax when two bedrooms are affected. Prices increase the more extensive the infestation is.
  • Prices also increase when homes are cluttered or have high populations (over 50 bed bugs) and if more than one bed is in a bedroom.

Bed Bug Inspection

$7500plus tax
  • A non-refundable fee of $75 plus tax applies to inspect single-family homes.
  • Extra units can be added for $50 per unit.
Add $50 for inspections outside our service area.

Schedule

Bed Bug Treatments

$55000Base price plus tax
  • This covers the living space and up to one bedroom.
  • 60-Day Service Agreement
• Pricing is based on location, the level of infestation, the likelihood of re-infestation, and the number and condition of beds/rooms affected.
• Our base price is $550 plus tax. This covers the living space and up to one bedroom.
• The base price is $800 plus tax when two bedrooms are affected. Prices increase the more extensive the infestation is.
• Prices also increase when homes are cluttered or have high populations (over 50 bed bugs) and if more than one bed is in a bedroom.

Schedule

Vacuuming Add-On

  • Specialized HEPA filter vacuums are used to remove visible bed bugs manually.
  • Focused vacuuming can be added to any service for $100 per half-hour of vacuuming, billed at a minimum of $100.
  • This is for the removal of live/dead bed bugs only.
  • Recommended when over 20 bed bugs are found.
  • We may add this to the service when deemed beneficial.

Bed Bug Follow-Up Service

Schedule a follow-up inspection approximately two weeks after the initial treatment. If live bed bugs are found, we will spot-treat those areas and repeat the inspection process in another two weeks. We will not return to the site if no live bed bugs are found during an inspection. If you find a live bed bug, you have the remainder of the service agreement period to request a reinspection/ treatment. Save specimens in a Ziploc bag or take a picture/ video. We cannot provide retreatments based on bites alone or reported sightings of bed bugs. A live bed bug must be found or presented to allow for retreatments.

The initial service and the follow-up inspection are usually all that is required. When a bed bug issue continues over 3 weeks, it is typically related to reintroduction or a pesticide-resistant strain of bed bugs. Our service reports are detailed. They include what we did and what we found. In addition, reports include customer cooperation, obstacles preventing control, and surrounding units. We encourage you to follow these instructions and any other recommendations for the 60-day service agreement.

If bed bugs are known to be present during any follow-up, please follow the preparation guidelines and be ready to vacate the areas that need treatment.

Products Used In Our Bed Bug Protocol

We do not guarantee using any specific product, technique, or material unless specified in your service agreement. Crossfire is our main control product for bed bugs. Mattress encasements are often included to minimize hiding spots on the bed and make it easier to inspect and detect bed bugs. ActiveGuard liners may be utilized to prevent bug bug infestations from reoccurring. Other products, such as Alpine WSG, Transport Mikron, Transport GHP, Alpine Flea and Bed Bug Aerosol, Phantom, Ridesco WG, Apprehend, and Cimexa, may also be utilized. Sen-Sci bed bug traps may be employed in vacant rooms/ homes. The pesticide record is attached to all invoices. That way, you know what was applied and where.

Bed Bug Treatment Details

Pesticides are applied according to the Label. Where bed bugs are found also determines what areas of the home will be treated. In most cases, the kitchen, dining room, spare rooms, and basements do not have to be treated. The main treatment areas will be the primary resting spots for bed bugs. This is generally within 6 feet of the bed, couch, recliners, and other resting locations. Most bed bugs will be confined to the bed, sofas, and chairs. In some instances, bed bugs can reside in secondary infestation areas. Examples include the folds of curtains, drawer joints, electrical receptacles, under loose wallpaper, behind wall hangings, wood paneling, ceiling-wall junctions, and door and window frames.

We cannot treat many belongings and household items. This is why following the preparation guidelines included in this guide is so important. The treatment is intended for the furniture and the rooms themselves. The preparation guidelines help cover everything else.

For Terms of Service, See Your Signed Service Agreement.

Rental Units with Bed Bugs

Tenants

  • Notify the landlord of any potential bed bug infestation within 72 hours.

Lakewood tenants can use this link as a template. BedBugTenantLandlordLetter.pdf

  • In many cases, your landlord already contracts with a pest control company.
  • If live bed bugs are found, we also require that any adjacent units undergo a pest inspection. This includes dwelling units across the hall, directly above, below, and on each side of your unit.
  • Even if you live in a single-family home, we require permission from the landlord to treat. Renters cannot schedule service without the landlord’s consent.
  • The tenant must grant the owner, owner’s agent, or contractors reasonable access to the property.

Landlord

The landlord should schedule the inspection. If multiple units need to be inspected, the landlord should coordinate when access can be provided to all necessary units. See Section 1306.34 of the City of Lakewood’s Property Maintenance Code.

Landlord responsibilities include:

  • Preventing and exterminating infestations of bed bugs.
  • Notifying contiguous units of a bed bug infestation in writing within 72 hours.
  • Use a licensed pesticide applicator if the structure has four or more units.

For rentals in Lakewood with tenant/ landlord disputes, Call our friends at Lakewood Alive: (216) 521-0655. Other disputes can be handled through the Cuyahoga Board of Health Bed Bug Task Force.

Important Notice

Lakewood Exterminating LLC makes no guarantees, expressed or implied. Pesticides are designed to kill or control pests. Pesticides, to be effective, are toxic to plants and animals and vary in the range of toxicity to humans. Your risk of harm depends upon your degree of exposure and your susceptibility. Take precautions when a pesticide treatment has been performed to avoid exposure to vulnerable individuals. Pesticides may be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Avoid breathing dust, spray mist, and any unnecessary contact with treated surfaces. Specific health and safety information varies between pesticides and is available on the product label or MSDS, which will be supplied to you upon request from the licensed applicator. We also include the pesticide record on all invoices. In case of a health emergency, seek immediate medical attention.

Questions? Email support@lakewoodexterminating.com or Call (216) 466-2486.

Bed Bug Preparation Guidelines

Preparation is not usually required in unoccupied rooms/ rooms where bed bugs have not been found. This includes spare bedrooms, dining rooms, offices, and the kitchen.

We will provide more personalized preparation recommendations during the inspection process. Contact us with questions.

  • Discontinue applying pest control products.
  • Remove any dust formulations of pesticides from surfaces.
  • Remove plastic mattress coverings and torn encasements.

We cannot treat personal items, plush toys, or clothing. So please follow the guidelines below.

Belongings

  • To get rid of bed bugs, clean and remove clutter.
  • Dispose of any unnecessary belongings in infested rooms. Concentrate on areas within 6 feet of your resting areas (where you sit or sleep) and where bed bugs have been found.
  • Bag up or place other loose items that you are keeping in plastic storage totes. Do not relocate items from infested rooms into different areas of the home. In most cases, you’ll be instructed to put the items back in their place as soon as possible after the treatment. That way, if the items have bed bugs, they’ll contact the control products while fresh. If we feel that we will have to re-treat during the second visit, we will ask you to remain “packed up” until after the follow-up treatments are performed.

Furniture

  • If you are disposing of beds or living room furniture, please do so before the initial service and have the new furniture in place for us to treat.
  • We can treat most furniture without you having to dispose of it. We sometimes recommend that highly infested furniture be disposed of. Follow your city’s refuse laws for disposing of infested furniture.
  • Take clothing and other belongings out of all drawers, nightstands, tables, closets, wardrobes, and similar storage areas within 6 feet of the bed or any other resting area. We cannot treat this type of furniture unless it is cleared. Use the instructions above for non-clothing items removed from this type of furniture. Depending on the level of infestation, it might not be necessary to clear out certain dressers or closets. We will instruct you on what furniture must be cleared during inspection. Although, if you take the time to clear it, we will take the time to treat it.

Clothing

  • Wash all loose clothing, bedding, and curtains in infested rooms.
  • For potentially infested clothing, bag it up and place it directly in the washing machine. Dispose of the garbage bags used to move the clothing to the washing machine. If you move multiple bags of clothing and the bags are going to sit before being washed, tape the tops of the bags shut.
  • Launder clothing/ bedding/ curtains in hot water and place into a dryer on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. The dryer must be capable of reaching temperatures greater than 104° F to kill all stages and must not be loaded to more than 50% capacity.
  • Place all laundered items from the dryer directly into plastic bags and seal tightly.
  • Any loose clothing (garments found outside a dresser or under the bed) must be bagged and laundered per the laundry directions above.
  • Remove drapery from rooms, bag it, and immediately launder it. Alternatively, drapery may be vacuumed and treated with steam while hanging in the infested room. Hang it back in its original position before the initial service.
  • Items that cannot be washed but can be dried in the dryer should be placed in the dryer on the highest temperature setting for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  • Any items that cannot be laundered in a home washing machine or dryer should be professionally laundered (dry cleaned).
  • Articles under the beds provide an ideal place for bedbugs to hide. All clothing or garments must be laundered and bagged. Larger items stored under the bed should not be moved as bedbugs may be relocated into other areas of the structure.
  • Ensure that all bags of freshly laundered items are tightly sealed. We recommend keeping them out of the treatment rooms until after the treatment(s) have been performed. In most cases, you can place laundered clothing back in its original place once the treatment has dried. We will instruct you if this is not the case.

Cleaning

  • Do a general cleaning of the rooms that are to be treated. The room should be empty of all clothing and plush items.
  • Make space so we can flip the mattress/ boxspring off the frame.
  • Vacuum the floor extensively. Remove the vacuum bag immediately and discard it in an exterior garbage receptacle.

Pets and Vacating

  • You and your pets must vacate the premises during the service and not re-enter until at least 4 hours after treatment.
  • Fish aquariums may be left on site. However, they should be covered, and air filters must be disconnected. Persons with underlying health conditions should consult their family physician if they have concerns regarding re-entry time.

Bed Bug Post Treatment Instructions

  • When you return home, ensure all treated surfaces are COMPLETELY DRY before re-entry. If surfaces are not completely dry, leave for an extra 2 hours.
  • If an offensive odor remains, ventilate thoroughly and leave for an additional 2 hours before attempting re-entry.
  • Sleep in the treated beds as soon as possible and reoccupy other infested rooms, such as the living room. Bed bugs need their host (people to feed on) to be present. Otherwise, they will remain dormant and not move through the freshly applied, active pest control products.
  • It is expected to find a few straggler bed bugs within a week after the initial treatment. If you find any live bed bugs after one week, take a picture or save them in a Ziploc bag. This will allow us to retreat if no live bugs are found during a reinspection.
  • Wash your bedding within five days of the initial treatment. This is important. Sometimes, bed bugs move to untreated areas. This includes blankets, sheets, and pillowcases.
  • We recommend regular bedding changes no more than once every two weeks.
  • If you use dust covers or mattress pads, please do not reinstall them until after the follow-up inspection. Unnecessary bedding layers can provide untreated areas for bed bugs to hide.
  • Do not introduce any new or used furniture or other potentially infested items not previously in the unit.
  • Prevent re-introducing bed bugs by eliminating places and people that could have them.
  • Do not apply your own pest control products during the service agreement.

Disposing Of Household Items When Bed Bugs Are Present

In most cases, we do NOT recommend throwing away mattresses, box springs, or furniture, as these items can be inspected and treated successfully. When deciding what works for you, the cost of replacing beds and other furniture is something to consider. Replacing these items alone will not solve a bed bug problem. The decision to replace beds or furniture often depends on their condition and level of infestation within these items, your comfort, and whether you can afford a replacement.

It is recommended that high-quality bed bug mattress encasements be installed. Once treated and covered by a high-quality bed bug mattress encasement, the need to discard the mattress or boxspring is often eliminated. The encasements further reduce the likelihood that bed bugs will continue to live upon the mattress and boxspring. Bed bug-proof mattress encasements are widely available in stores and can be purchased from your pest professional.

Do not use homemade or non-bed bug-proof encasements to cover your mattress or box spring. The pest professional will remove such encasements during treatment.

If you throw out your furniture, deface or otherwise damage furniture items so others will not use them. Mattresses should be slashed or otherwise damaged to make them unusable by others. Do not discard infested mattresses, furniture, clothing, or other items without properly wrapping them. Do not leave these items in common areas of the building (hallway, lobby, etc.). Follow building or municipal rules regarding disposing of infested items.

Service Area

Our service area is inside the purple line. We service homes outside of the purple line. However, a “trip charge” will be incurred to account for longer drive times.

Out of Area “Trip Charge”

For locations outside the purple line- up to forty minutes from the office, a “trip charge” of $50 per visit applies for single services and non-warrantied follow-up visits. Add $100 for multi-visit service plans. We do not service homes over 40 minutes away. During the busy April-October season, we might be unable to service homes outside the purple line. We are likelier to take jobs to the West than jobs further away to the South or East.

For multi-family homes (duplexes and apartment buildings), extra units can be added for $50 for single services or $100 for multi-visit service plans (per additional unit).

Customers can purchase multiple services to be performed during the same visit. When bundled, receive 20% off the lesser service. An example of this is mouse control coupled with an ant treatment.

Allow an arrival window of a half-hour before and after your scheduled appointment time.

Depending on your service, you should receive an email/ text reminder 3 days or 1 day before your scheduled service. However, our software sometimes fails to send these reminders. You are responsible for keeping track of any appointments that you plan.

  • For initial/ single services, if we arrive at the job site and cannot gain access to the property (if required), there will be an $80 missed appointment fee. This must be paid before scheduling any future service.
  • If access is required but not provided for any follow-up visit, the warranty becomes void and counts as one of the follow-up visits. In this case, extra visits can be purchased within the 60 or 90-day service period for 1/3 of the original cost.
  • Follow-up visits must be scheduled within the service period (60 or 90 days). It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure all visits are scheduled.
  • As with all appointments, allow an arrival time of half an hour before and after the scheduled appointment time. We wait for unavailable customers for 15 minutes before counting the visit as a missed appointment.

Most pest control services have a warranty or come with half-price follow-up services within 60 days. Except for rats and wildlife, please allow two weeks for control before requesting follow-up service (one week for ants).

  • Most pesticides have a residual, which means they keep working after they dry. The average lifespan of a residual pesticide application is 20 days. Most of our pesticides cannot be reapplied for 2-4 weeks.
  • Pests also have a lifecycle, which means it can take time to see results. For example, sprays don’t kill newly laid bed bug eggs. Likewise, flea pupae are immune to most pesticides. It can take two weeks for ant and yellowjacket colonies to collapse.
  • If ants go away after the treatment, but return within the warranty period, please allow 3-5 days before requesting a follow-up. The new ants often encounter the previously applied product and dissipate a few days later. If we have left you with a bait station, please place this device where you see the activity.

Different pests are active during certain times of the year, and pesticide applications only last so long. This is why we offer maintenance plans to manage your pests year-round.

We will inform the customer during the initial service if sanitation or other factors compromise the warranty.

  • For any pesticide application, keep children and pets out of the treatment area until the treatment has dried/ settled out of the air. Depending on the application, this can take 45 minutes to 4 hours.
  • Please secure dogs so they cannot physically contact our technicians.
  • It is the customer’s responsibility to provide all responsible parties (tenants) with the preparation guidelines. They are also responsible for providing access and ensuring occupants are ready to vacate the premises if needed.
  • Please follow all customer preparation guidelines and instructions. For more details, see the section related to your service.

Suppose a customer or other structure(s) occupants believe they are or may be sensitive to pesticides/termiticides or their odors. In that case, the customer must notify Lakewood Exterminating LLC in writing before service, including whether the customer or other occupants have consulted with a medical doctor or other healthcare provider regarding such sensitivity. Upon receipt of such notification, Lakewood Exterminating LLC reserves the right to deny or terminate service. Failure to provide notification represents the customer’s assumption of risk and waiving of claims against Lakewood Exterminating LLC in connection with such sensitivity.

  • After completing the service, we will return to our vehicle to write up your invoice. Here, you will find information such as our time on site, weather conditions for exterior pesticide application, inspection findings, materials we used for control and their locations, completed repairs, documented notes, and recommendations. This will be sent to the phone number and email address on file.
  • We ask that you pay at the time of service. We accept checks, cash, or credit cards. We require a signed invoice and credit card on file if you cannot pay at the time of service. If you are a landlord or responsible party but will not be present for the appointment, please put a card on file during the scheduling process. Payments will be run after the initial service is complete. Receipts are sent via email. If you have used our services with a history of timely payments, you may be invoiced/ pay online. If we invoice you, payment is due in 2 weeks.

  • For large commercial properties and apartments with more than six units, the cost per service starts at $200 per hour of labor- plus materials costing over $30.
  • Small offices and stores are generally priced the same as homes.
  • Restaurants and similar establishments require an on-site visit to provide an estimate. There is usually an initial service fee plus a monthly maintenance fee, which starts at $100.
  • If you are receiving a pesticide application, remember that employees, customers, and other occupants must stay out of the treatment area for a few hours until the spray dries. Our available times for treatments are generally 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

  • For rentals, the customer is responsible for coordinating with the tenants, providing access upon arrival, giving tenants the preparation guidelines, and ensuring they properly prepare and vacate.
  • Tenants cannot schedule service without the landlord’s permission. The only exception is if the lease states that pest control is the tenant’s responsibility.
  • For any rodent or wildlife issue, the customer must be the landlord.
  • We require a credit card on file if the landlord is absent for the appointment.

Exterior Pesticide Treatments are performed from March through November, weather permitting. At all other times, an interior treatment will be applied for most common household pests.

Many pest problems can be diagnosed over the phone or by email for free. If you are unclear about which service your problem falls under, please email pictures to support@lakewoodexterminating.com. Our owner also provides phone consultations upon request. Please reach out through the contact form on our website to speak with our Owner.

If you require a site visit to diagnose a pest issue, there is a $99 plus tax fee. This includes an inspection/ consultation. A price quote will be provided to remedy problems as needed.

Kick Bed Bugs To The Curb, Not Your Mattress

Trust Your Bed To Always Provide You A Safe Retreat.

Protect Your Cleveland Home From Complex Pest Problems With Our Detailed Treatment Plans.

Mattresses with bed bug infestation in Cleveland, Ohio.

What Our Customers Say

Become Another Satisfied Customer! Call Us At (216) 466-2486

What You Get With The Best Bed Bug Control In Cleveland

We’ve created a detailed treatment plan that integrates multiple control methods. Given that we attack infestations from all angles, it’s very unlikely that any bugs will survive treatment. Treat yourself to the best. Generally, our protocol includes the following:

  • Cimexa is 100% amorphous silica gel dust.
  • We apply it to walls from electric outlets, door, and window frames, and under baseboards.
  • It works great to get deep into infested furniture.
  • Protect it from moisture and it will continue killing bugs for years.
  • This naturally-derived ingredient destroys the bugs’ waxy cuticles. It’s a drying agent that sucks the oil out of them.
  • This crack and crevice treatment takes away their hiding spots.
  • In addition, the dust injections prevent the bugs from traveling through the walls.
  • Once an area is treated with Cimexa, it is unlikely that you will need to reapply anything for quite some time.
  • Unlike other pesticides, it is not a nerve toxin. So, it is safer for you and harder on pesticide-resistant strains of bed bugs.
  • Cimexa is a Hazard Tier 3 pesticide. Its mineral ingredient is low toxicity and labeled for green pest plans.

  • Crossfire is specifically made to control bed bugs.
  • Firstly, the toxicology studies for Crossfire resulted in a LD50 for mammals greater than 5,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. therefore the EPA does not require a signal word (Caution, Warning, Danger). Having no signal word is reassuring, especially when treating your bed.
  • Secondly, the spray is a suspended solid in water. Bed bugs pick up this formulation more readily, especially after the spray has dried. It also allows it to have three different active ingredients in one product!
  • Crossfire is mixed at the rate of 13 ounces per gallon. This gives it long-lasting residual control (1-12 months!). The cost per gallon mixed is about $42.00.
  • Comparably, Temprid FX is mixed at .27 ounces per gallon with higher-risk ingredients. The cost per gallon of mixed-up spray is less than $3.00. Previously, Temprid was the most popular spray for bed bugs.
  • Kills all bed bug life stages by contact and prevents bed bug egg hatching, even pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs.
  • Lastly, while bed bugs pick up the spray easily, humans do not absorb it through their skin as much. As a result, it can be sprayed directly on mattresses.
  • Since using this spray, the need to re-treat homes has nearly been eliminated.

  • Ohio State University has tested and highly recommends using  ActiveGuard liners.
  • These were originally made to help people with allergies. They also kill dust mites.
  • These liners are similar to a very thin fitted sheet. We apply them on the underside of the box springs. 
  • The fabric is infused with Permethrin. When a bed bug contacts the liner, it messes up their feeding ability.
  • If bed bugs can’t feed, they can neither grow into adults nor lay eggs.
  • We utilize ActiveGuard liners to prevent bed bugs from re-establishing after our treatment. They can work for up to two years!

  • Encasements are placed over the mattress and box springs.
  • These instantly remove all of the bugs and eggs on your bed.
  • Your bed will feel new and clean. You will feel cozier and more secure after knowing your bed had bugs in it.
  • The zippered encasement removes all of the hiding places on your bed. No more bugs in the seams of your mattress, or hiding in the depths of the box springs.
  • A smooth white surface gives you a surface area that is easy to inspect.

  • No bed bug is resistant to getting sucked up with our Atrix Omega Vacuums.
  • We use specialized vacuums to remove bed bugs in moderate to severe infestations.
  • Mechanically removing bed bugs is chemical-free and super effective.
  • By removing excess bed bugs, we reduce the likelihood that you will need to retreat.
  • There is an additional fee above our standard pricing to add vacuuming. If you are interested, please let us know.

  • In sensitive situations, we have lower-risk products.
  • We use Eco-Raider sprays when people cannot vacate their homes due to medical conditions.
  • Eco-Raider is also useful if someone is pregnant or an infant resides within the home.
  • Steri-Fab is a contact spray that kills bed bugs. Once it is dry, it leaves no residual. As a result, it can be used in public areas and medical establishments.

*Lakewood Exterminating does not guarantee the use of certain products. If you are interested in specific products, please discuss this with us during the consultation/ inspection period.

Learn More About Bed Bugs In Cleveland, Ohio

2024-07-11T17:31:22-04:00
Bed bug close-up shot.
Bed Bugs: Identification & Life Cycle
Gallery

Bed Bugs: Identification & Life Cycle

Bed Bugs: Identification & Life Cycle

Bed Bugs in Ohio - Information and FactsBed Bugs Infesting Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio, has repeatedly been ranked near the top of the list of most bed bug-populated cities in the United States. In the 2023 and 2024 reports, Orkin ranked Cleveland/ Akron the 4th worst bed bug city. What does this mean? Probably is a tell-tale sign that we need to learn more about this troublesome pest.What Type Of Insect Are Bed Bugs?Bed bugs are categorized within the Order Hemiptera. This is the order of true bugs. While this does not mean much to most people, you might be able to draw a relationship. Most true bugs receive their nourishment from plants. For example, cicadas, aphids, and stinkbugs are true bugs.True bugs use specialized piercing-sucking mouth parts to extract juices [...]

Learn More
How Long Can a Bed Bug Survive Without Feeding?2024-02-11T19:06:35-05:00

Bed bugs live for approximately one year. They can also survive a year without feeding. Some factors determine how long a bed bug can survive without feeding. Hot summer temperatures will shorten their lives greatly if they cannot feed (A little over two months when the room is kept hot). But they can survive over one year when temperatures are around 50 degrees!

First instar nymphs will die soon after birth if they cannot feed. The longest they will survive without feeding is three months. Adults and older nymphs survive longer than early instar nymphs.

Bed bugs can remain viable in protected harborages for months after treatment. That is why occupying the space as soon as possible after treatment is important. That way, you are pulling them through the pesticide products while they are still fresh.

If you want to store infested furniture or belongings, try the rag-in-a-bag trick. Placing furniture in your garage over winter is an unreliable way to control bed bugs in Ohio. Cold temperatures must be steady below freezing for extended periods to control them.

We do not recommend vacating a treated room or treating a vacant structure with pesticides. Bed bugs have adapted to starvation. You could have problems controlling bed bugs by storing furniture or leaving an infested home vacant. You will wait a while unless you raise the temperature to at least 80 degrees and wait three months.

One way to kill bed bugs in your car is by rolling the windows up and parking in the full sun on black asphalt during the summer. We do not recommend that untrained people use unnaturally high heat to kill bed bugs.

How Often Do Bed Bugs Feed?2023-06-27T18:46:30-04:00

They will often take a few bites in a row along a vein. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes for them to become fully engorged. After feeding they retreat back into hiding. A bed bug feeds at 5-10 day intervals.

Will Heat Or Cold Kill Bed Bugs?2023-06-27T18:45:12-04:00

Placing infested belongings outside in the cold temperatures of a Cleveland, OH winter are not always enough to kill bed bugs. In order to kill bed bugs by freezing, temperatures need to remain at 0 degrees F continuously for at least 4 days. Since temperatures fluctuate outdoors during winter, it might take two or more weeks for a bed bug to die under these conditions. Cold is not a recommended control method, although flash freezing with carbon dioxide is becoming popular with professionals.

Heat kills bed bugs. Bed bugs cannot survive temperatures above 120 degrees. Steam is produced when water reaches 212 degrees F. Using a steamer is similar to the flash freeze method. It provides near instant death to all life stages, adults, nymphs and eggs. The reported thermal death point is 113 degrees F. Raising the temperature of an entire room to 113 degrees F will kill all life stages of bed bugs after one hour of exposure.

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?2023-06-27T18:43:29-04:00

Bed bugs live approximately one year. They can also live about as long without feeding!

What Pesticides Kill Bed Bugs?2023-06-27T18:41:17-04:00

Bed bugs have tarsal claws which enable them to climb so well. These tarsal claws are much like a cat’s claw. To their advantage these tarsal claws do not pick up pesticides very well.
They can walk right over normal formulations of bug spray, once it has dried, with very little effect. There are many different formulations of pesticides. Insecticide sprays come in suspended concentrates, emulsified concentrates, wettable powders, and micro-encapsulated formulations. Micro-encapsulated products and wettable powders have the best residual effect, once dry.

You also have to consider what class of pesticide you are using to battle bed bug infestations. Pyrethroids are the common ingredient in store bought bed bug killers. Many bed bug control products contain more than one kind of insecticide. Yes, pyrethroids are generally considered safe for the public. Yet by giving masses of people one kind of bug spray is asking for trouble down the line. In Ohio, pyrethroid resistant strains are common. This means, you can spray them and only kill a percentage of them. The ones that survive breed with other survivors. Making the product useless over time.

This is true for products with more than one ingredient. You are making them more resistant to different ingredients all at once. They call these “hybrid control products”. Hybrids include more than one mode of action in one spray bottle. While it can increase success, it is better to apply a single mode of action and follow up with a different one. Especially if you think you’ll need more than one treatment. This does not matter so much if you have experience in treating bed bugs.

Pyrethroids are usually mixed with neonicotinoids and a synergist. The synergist makes it work better.
There are a few alternative products that you can use on bed bugs. Phantom is a slow acting product with the active ingredient Chlorfenapyr. Nuvan Directed Spray Aerosol uses another mode of action dichlorvos. Not the safest thing to spray your bed with. That is my opinion. You can see there are other options to the common pyrethroid sprays. There is even fungal spores as a biological control. Keep in mind, it is more the process than the product that gets success.
We recommend that DIY’ers only use chemicals when non-chemical controls fail. Or use pesticides as part of a comprehensive control plan.

We recommend:

Are Bed Bugs Only Found On Beds?2023-06-27T18:01:02-04:00

Most bed bugs find harborage within 5 feet of their host’s resting spot. For us, this is our beds, couches, and chairs. From within 5 feet, it can detect the location of its next meal. They do this by detecting signals given off by our bodies. This includes such things as: Body heat, odor, vibrations, carbon dioxide, and perspiration.
You can find them further away in secondary locations. The ability to locate their host changes from further distances. As a result, they need to climb things to pick up signals. You will find males driven into secondary areas of infestation. Bug bombs and improper treatments will also send them packing out of primary areas. Otherwise, bed bugs move into further reaches of the room once the population is high enough. Under rugs is less common. Think more curtains, behind picture frames, and at the ceiling-wall junction.
Can Bed Bugs Live On Pets?2023-06-27T17:48:11-04:00

The narrow body of the flea maneuvers the fur-covered bodies of animals. Its hard shell doesn’t crush easily. This is an example of a parasite that lives on its host. I have squeezed fleas between my fingers, only to have them jump out of my hand.
Bed bugs are not designed to live on their hosts. Their horizontal, soft bodies are quite the opposite of fleas. This family of parasites feed on their hosts, then duck out for a few days while they digest.
Oftentimes, they will not even crawl on you to bite. Usually, they perch themselves on their hind legs, feed, then recede to a safe crevice. Bed bugs will sandwich themselves between two objects to protect their soft bodies.
This is not to say that you won’t find bed bugs on pets or people. By all means, they are hitchhikers. That is how they get around. In extreme cases, they will begin to live on people. Pets too in this matter.
In most cases, you will not find bed bugs infesting pets. Bed bugs are host specific. They need to be feeding on human blood to thrive.
Do Bed Bugs Transmit Disease?2023-06-27T17:30:24-04:00

Many endo-parasites are vectors. Vectors have the potential to transmit disease organisms to their host. Examples of parasitic vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Bed bugs are not currently proven to transmit disease. The bodies of bed bugs are filthy. Yet their mouths are very clean. Currently, bed bugs are not considered vectors. Although, one Penn State Study says they transmit the parasite causing Chagas Disease.
 
Bed bug bites cause an itchy skin irritation. Yet, some people do not react at all to bed bug bites. This is especially true with elderly people.
 
Bed bug infestations can cause a great deal of stress. In turn, they can effect your mental health significantly. Our suggestion is to: Only deal with professional bed bug exterminators. Do not take advice from friends. And only read online articles from Universities and Government agencies.
How Many Kinds Of Bed Bugs Are There?2023-06-27T17:30:57-04:00

The Genus Cimex has several species. Most are bat bugs and bugs that infests birds’ nests. There are two species of bed bugs, Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus. The latter being the tropical bed bug. As the name implies, it lives in the tropical regions. The main difference in all the species is where they live. Cimex lectularius is the one that has spread all over the world. In the United States, you will find the tropical bed bug in Florida.
 
Bed bugs belong to the Order of True Bugs. Aphids, cicadas, and stinkbugs are examples. These have piercing/ sucking mouthparts. Most True Bugs feed on plant juices. Kissing bugs and bed bugs are an example true bugs adapting to feed on animals. 
 
Other species may bite you when their normal host also lives in the building. For example, if you have bats in your attic bat bugs can come down into your room to feed on you. Although these other bugs may feed on humans, they are host specific. Meaning that bat bugs could not sustain themselves long term on human blood.
 
When the State of Ohio does their trainings, they report that many of their bed bug cases end up being bat bugs. I would guess that this could be true in rural areas where bats are more prolific. The solution for bed bug look-a-likes would be to remove the host (birds/ bats) from the building.
How Did Bed Bugs Return From Being Nearly Extinct?2023-06-25T10:06:55-04:00

DDT And Bed Bugs

These parasites were prolific until we began using DDT on them. Our past pest control practices nearly wiped away the existence of bed bugs. DDT had a very long residual control period. Common practice for pest control was to apply a continual pesticide barrier sprayed inside and outside of your home. Due to the long lasting effects of these pesticides, bed bugs didn’t have much of a chance.

Pyrethroids Replacing DDT

Most of the pesticides used during this period have been banned. One of the reasons is because of the persistence in our environment. DDT, Organophosphates and Carbamates were common pesticides that are now banned or restricted. Pyrethroids were developed to take their place in the retail market. The best example of timing is bifenthrin. This is the active ingredient in the well known “Ortho Home Defense”. Bifenthrin was introduced in 1985. To this day, pyrethroids are the main pesticide available to home owners.

The Introduction Of Cockroach and Ant Gel Baits

From this time until the early 1990’s it was common practice to spray the interior of your home with pesticides (pyrethroids). Basically, we would maintain a pesticide barrier along baseboards, and around windows and doors. Things changed once cockroach and ant baits were introduced into the market. Gel baits, in particular, changed our pest control methods. Integrated pest management made big strides at this time. We were able to control ants and cockroaches without the use of these pesticide spray barriers.

While this was great for our health, it was also great for bed bugs. Unknowingly, we took our defenses down. The consistent pesticide barriers that were in our homes were replaced by safer control methods. Nowadays, pest controllers utilize baits and products that are made to be applied to cracks and crevices. The old ways of spraying baseboards still lingers. Yet most of us are health conscious, and like to reduce pesticide use indoors whenever possible.

Factors Contributing To The Return Of Bed Bugs

Without a consistent spray barrier bed bugs returned to our homes. Ant and cockroach gel baits came out in the early 1990’s. Bed bugs came back from near extinction soon after. Likely there are other factors that contributed to bed bugs returning. Increased international travel was a significant factor also. We also didn’t have much support in the way of public education. The public just wasn’t properly prepared for the outbreak.

You could also go the conspiracy route. Pesticides are made by huge companies. Most are pharmaceutical companies. It is only logical to release a super bug into the population at the same time they are releasing a substitute for indoor spraying. Just imagine how many bed bug control kits get swept off the shelves. Bed bugs do not spread disease and are not a threat to people that can afford treatment. Not saying this was the case, but there is a logical argument to be made.

Where Did Bed Bugs Originate?2023-06-27T17:31:59-04:00

Cimex lectarius has a known origin of 2 million years ago in Saudi Arabia. They are thought to have developed from the bat bug, Cimex pilosellus. Both species rarely interbreed, coexist on the same host, or change their primary host from bats to men or vice versa. During the caveman era, it is thought that bat bugs descended onto neanderthals living in caves. Over time, they adapted themselves to feed primarily on humans. To find out more about the bed bug genome click here to view Dr. Booth’s website.

Did You Forget To Sleep Tight?

Bad advice is easy to find online. Look no further for your choice of bed bug exterminators in Cleveland. Hire a true professional that will guide you to success.

Pest control service Lakewood Exterminating transparent footer

Cleveland Pest Control Services

Child And Pet-Friendly Treatments From Trusted Exterminators

Home

About Us

Services

FAQs

Contact Us

Quick Links

Home

About Us

Services

FAQs

Contact Us

Get In Touch

Pest control service Lakewood Exterminating transparent footer

Cleveland Pest Control Services

Child And Pet-Friendly Treatments From Trusted Exterminators

Home

About Us

Services

FAQs

Contact Us

Go to Top