What is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs?

Once individuals stay in a hotel or even another home infested with bed bugs, they risk bringing unwanted travelers back to their own living space. Bed bugs hitchhike on people, clothing, luggage, and other personal items and accidentally trek all over when people travel. This is why transportation is commonly known as the leading cause of bed bug infestations spreading.

If you think that you’ve brought bed bugs home, you should start by checking your suitcase and your clothes. Take everything out of the suitcase and then shake it out to see if you can see any and check the seams of your clothes for any nymphs or eggs. Sweep any furniture and look behind drawers, cabinets, under beds, couches, and other oversized items that may have been touched during the time you were away from home.

They are Not Only Found in Bed

Bed bugs are often found in mattresses, but they are also common in other furniture in the home. This includes chairs, sofas, and other pieces of furniture; humans or pets can carry them to these locations. You can also find bed bugs in other places, such as libraries and schools where carriers may be present. Some suggestions on how to spot an infestation include looking for skins that have been exuded by crushed bed bugs or spots where there’s accumulated dust that could hide larger particles.

Bed Bugs are Difficult to Locate

Many are unaware they have a bed bug until too late. Without professional help, it’s easy to wonder: “how can I tell if I have bed bugs?” Bed bugs are challenging to find because they are small, and their appearance can vary depending on their life stage. Bed bugs are flat, wingless insects with six legs. An adult bed bug is oval-shaped, about the size of an apple seed, and usually reddish-brown. Because of their flat bodies, bed bugs can hide very easily within the seams of mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and more.

What do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Bed bugs are not fussy and will feed on blood from humans and other warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, rodents, and birds. However, they prefer humans because we give off a high volume of nutritionally-rich blood. Bites can be easily confused with bites from other insects, making it essential to know how bed bug bites appear. The bites from a bed bug can cause itchy red welts on the skin and usually appear as red pimples or itchy bumps on the skin. If you believe your home has bed bugs, you should get a professional involved to help before the infestation grows.

They Multiply Daily

Bed bugs are a growing problem in many parts of the world. They’re often called “the forgotten pest” because these icky bugs have been around for centuries, and yet people still don’t know enough about them. Female bed bugs can lay 4-7 eggs per day, so it doesn’t take long for an infestation to get out of control. The most effective way to deal with multiplying bed bugs is following up with professional pest control treatment. The problem with treating an infestation yourself is that there are so many steps involved, like preparing one’s home properly, removing clutter, and discarding furniture that has been infested. If you don’t follow these steps, you will wonder what will kill bed bugs and waste time and money.

Bed bugs are widespread pests in North Carolina and can be challenging to control. You may not know you have bed bugs until they multiply, which is why we recommend getting a professional inspection by Kil Mor Pest Control as soon as possible if you think your home might be infested. Our pest management experts will conduct an initial assessment and give some tips on preventing bed bugs and other types of insects from invading your home again.

Infestations are Difficult to Control

Cockroaches can infest a house because they like moist, humid places and enjoy dark and damp locations. When roaches inhabit a dwelling, it is difficult to get rid of them because they hide in different areas such as inside boxes, under the toilet bowl covers, and around drains. Plus, cockroaches also reproduce rapidly. They can produce up to 12 egg sacs per year, with an average of 30 eggs per egg sac, allowing populations to multiply quickly. New generations will continue to emerge and infest the house again without an exterminator killing or eliminating the cockroaches.

Type of Infestation Matters

There are several varieties of cockroaches that are found in the United States, but the most common type is the German (brown) roach. They like to live in cracks and crevices of appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, and dishwashers. However, the most common cockroaches in NC are the American cockroach. The type of cockroach you have matters because some roaches are more challenging to get rid of than others. The American cockroach, for example, is challenging to get rid of because they breed so quickly. If you can not stop an infestation, quickly call an exterminator to remove whatever type of roaches you have.

DIY Solutions are not Always Solutions

We often are asked: “Do DIY treatments get rid of cockroaches?” While there are multiple DIY solutions, the truth is, it’s always best to call in an exterminator who has experience in these situations for heavy infestations or when dealing with extreme sensitivity to chemicals. There are a few good reasons for this: roach droppings, shedding body parts, and saliva can act as allergens and trigger allergic reactions. Insects can detect certain artificial fragrances and be drawn out by them, and only pest professionals use the types of products like bait traps and gels that effectively remove these pests. Cockroaches are crafty and can quickly learn to avoid danger zones, so DIY treatments usually aren’t thorough enough because they often miss hard-to-reach places. Bottom line: DIY solutions can help prevent infestations, but one of the best ways to get rid of cockroaches is to call an exterminator.

Tidy Up to Avoid Attracting Them

The main reason you should avoid leaving food out overnight is that cockroaches are attracted to the smell of food. They will also be attracted to moist areas, so it’s vital to keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry. This is important because cockroaches can carry harmful bacteria, like E. coli and Salmonella, and transmit these through contact with food or surfaces such as sinks or door handles. Simply ensuring your home is clean and dry is one of the best solutions to prevent cockroaches in your home.

Cockroaches are a common pest that is difficult to control, especially in North Carolina. The type of infestation you have can determine the best route for getting rid of them. DIY solutions will most likely be ineffective if you have noticed an infestation too late. Kil Mor Pest Control has been protecting home and health since 1980, and we offer preventive services with an emphasis on safety, so you never have this problem again. If you see cockroaches in your home, it is crucial to take action right away. Cockroaches can spread diseases and contaminate food, making them a health hazard. Contact Kil Mor Pest Control today for all of your cockroach extermination needs.

How can you avoid being left to pay for termites?

Homeowners in the Triangle and Triad should reach out to a professional termite control company to perform an annual termite inspection. An annual inspection can help prevent costly damage by catching any potential infestations and allowing for early treatment.

What Does a Termite Inspection Look For?

A termite inspection looks for the visible signs of a current termite infestation or a past termite infestation. Whether it’s dry wood termites burrowing deep within your home or subterranean termites digging underground, these intruders all have tell-tale signs they’re in your home.

Signs include:

• Hollow-sounding wood
• Discolored or dropping drywall
• Peeling paint
• Small, pin-sized holes in walls
• Loose tiles or buckling wooden or laminate boards
• Overly squeaky floorboards
• Maze-like patterns in floorboards, walls, and furniture
• Small piles that resemble salt and pepper
• Wings left behind by swarmers
• Mud tubes on the exterior of your home
• Termite swarms

If there’s the potential for a termite infestation, you should sign up for termite control services.

The Importance of Termite Inspections for New Home Buyers

When purchasing a new home, some lending institutions will require a termite inspection. Even if your lending institution does not, you should still request a termite inspection anyways. If the home hasn’t been properly guarded against termites, you might be purchasing a home that’s riddled with expensive damage.

What to Expect During a Termite Inspection

When you request a termite inspection, a trained termite inspector will be sent to your home. They will review your home from top-to-bottom for signs of termite activity, both past and present. In addition to looking for current termite infestations, your termite inspector will also check for areas that may potentially lead to an infestation.

Potential areas can include:

• Standing water on the roof
• Water pooling around the foundation
• Moisture in your crawl space or basement
• Wood mulch too close to the foundation of your home

Why All Townhomes Need Pest Control

Townhomes share walls and are connected through utilities— creating an easy pathway for pests to travel between homes. In addition to utility lines, pests can travel through open windows, ventilation slats created for your HVAC unit, potted plants, doors, and windows without proper weather stripping, and even hitch a ride on packages you bring into your home.

Rather than suddenly need pest control after an infestation happens, wouldn’t it be better to proactively guard your home against pests?

Pest Resources for Housing Managers

Are you a housing manager or responsible for decision-making regarding pest control? You want your pest control provider to help you keep your community pest-free. You want a pest control company that will use science-backed and minimally invasive pest control techniques. You want a program that includes:

• Exclusion work– an exterminator will scour the property for potential access points for pests and help you seal them up.
• Customized care– no community is the same or has the same needs. We provide a customized approach to pest control in townhomes.

If you’re looking for pest control for townhomes in Durham, the Triangle, or Triad, Kil-Mor Pest Control offers pest control for HOAs and townhome communities.

Is My HOA Responsible for Pest Control?

The answer is sometimes. In some communities, residents are responsible for their own pest control. In others, some of your HOA dues go towards pest control.

Can Mice Travel Between Townhomes?

Yes! Townhouses share walls, pipes, roofs, and other things making them a superhighway for pests. Even for a professional exterminator, it can be difficult to spot all entry points the first time through. Mice can build their nest in your neighbor’s home but scamper to yours for food.

You and your neighbors will have to work together with your pest control company to seal outside entry.

How Can I Help Keep Pests Out of My Home?

While you will inevitably see pests around your home, there are a few things you can do to help keep your home pest-free:

• Question second-hand furniture– you don’t have to stop purchasing second-hand furniture entirely, but make sure you’re carefully inspecting any items before you ever bring them into your home. Become familiar with the signs of common pests that can live in secondhand furniture, including cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, and carpet beetles.
• Inspect packages– Cockroaches, amongst other pests, love to hang out on packages. Check boxes before they enter your home to limit potential infestations.
• Check hotel rooms carefully– bed bugs can be found in hotels, taxis, even unexpected places like movie theatres! Before putting your suitcases down, inspect the beds and closets of your room very carefully. Then, once you arrive home, throw your clothes into a high-heat cycle in the washer and give suitcases a good vacuum.
• Dispose of garbage– don’t allow your garbage to sit in your home for prolonged periods of time. Having a trashcan with a lid can help keep your garbage from attracting pests.