Thunder Bay Bed Bug Pest Control

Bed bugs have become a serious problem throughout North America and Thunder Bay is no exception. Challenging to get rid of and control because of their ability to survive long periods of time without feeding, Canadian Pest Control has devised effective pest management techniques that eliminate bed bugs from your home or commercial property in Thunder Bay. There is no guarantee with bed bugs due to how they travel (hitch hiking). Many will disregard the issue if only one individual wakes up with bites. Studies have shown that not everyone shows a reaction. Some individuals show no reaction at all!

Bed Bug Hiding Places

A thorough inspection of a property infested with bed bugs is necessary in order for pest control management to be effective. Habitats include mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, baseboards and carpet edges. Cracks and crevices, upholstered furniture and particularly any area used for sleeping are also potential hiding places for bed bugs.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are flat and round shaped when unfed and oblong and bulbous when fed. Much like the colour and size of an apple seed. In either state,fed or unfed, horizontal lines can be seen across the body of the insect. Picture an accordion. When a bed bug feeds the body becomes elongated much like an accordion baffle when extended.

There are six stages of a bedbug after it hatches. All of which are visible with the naked eye including the eggs.

Egg -approximately 1mm -uniform oval shaped, off white in colour

Stage 1 Instar -approximately 1.5mm-emerged from egg but not yet fed- pale yellow/amber coloured/translucent

Stage 2 Nymph-approximately 2mm-has fed and begins to take on the red/rusty colour

Stage 3 Nymph-approximately 2.5mm-amber/rusty coloured

Stage 4-approximately 3mm-amber/rusty coloured

Stage 5-approximately 4.5mm- amber/rusty coloured

Stage 6-approximately 5.5mm unfed, 6.5mm fully fed-adult stage rusty/Appleseed colour.

With blood as their sole food source, bites may be painless but often cause uncomfortable skin irritations, excessive itching and complications with allergies. Many report difficulties with stress, anxiety and insomnia due to the presence of bed bugs. Others show no reaction at all.

How Do Bedbugs Enter a Thunder Bay Location?

Bed Bugs are most frequently transferred into the home or workplace through luggage and other items that have become infested at hotels, motels and other hospitality locations during travel. Bed bugs can also be brought into your property via used bedding, furniture and clothing as well as on your person. A bed bugs means of travel is hitch hiking. It could be as simple as riding on public transit or sitting in a waiting room. Any place where there is a high turnover of population, chances become greater of encountering bedbugs.

How to Avoid Bed Bugs While Travelling

Know that you have the legal right to inspect your hotel room before accepting it
Do not put your clothing or suitcase directly on the hotel bed
Keep luggage off the ground
Use metal luggage racks or the bath tub (when not in use)
Look for bed bugs all the way around and under the mattress
Check bed linens and headboards for bloodstains or fecal matter

Common Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation Include:

Blood or rust colored stains on bed sheets and pillow cases
Black/deep mahogany (appears as smeared pepper spots that can’t be rubbed off) fecal matter found in crevices of furnishings, baseboards etc,.
Persistent musty odor

Bed bugs have resurfaced in great numbers due to the banning of the use of specific pesticides. Canadian Pest Control employs effective treatments to remove bed bugs from your Thunder Bay property. We keep up to date on products and their efficacy to ensure you’re getting the best value and service for your money.

Tips for Bed Bug Infestations:

Consistent vacuuming and steam cleaning of carpets.
Clothing and bedding should be washed on high heat and placed in the dryer on the highest heat setting for at least 35 -45min.
Purchase a bed bug proof cover for your mattress. We carry encasements that are high in thread count, washable and can be dried on high heat as required for eliminating bedbugs in fabrics. These encasements are Health Canada approved.

Facts About Bed Bugs

Female bed bugs lay anywhere from 200- 500 eggs a year and reproduce very quickly. Without pest management, bed bugs can reach a population of hundreds or thousands in a single room or unit.
Bed bugs feed solely on human blood and can survive up to a year without food. Professional assistance to eliminate this persistent pest is strongly recommended.

Canadian Pest Control uses only the most advanced pest control treatment methods to kill bed bugs. Call us to schedule an inspection if you suspect bed bugs have invaded your home or commercial location.