Photo Album: Bed bug extermination in Lakewood, NJ
Bed bugs on furniture
This particular apartment has quite a heavy infestation, and interestingly enough, there was no bed to be found in the unit. Bed bugs received their name because these blood-feeders like us to be resting or sleeping while they are feeding, and beds are ideal locations for them. Mattresses and box springs also provide plenty of hiding spots between their blood meals. But bed bugs don't need beds to survive and thrive - they can pretty much make a home anywhere as long as they have a dependable host for their blood meals. Here, the bed bugs found harborage areas all over the apartment and it was apparent from their numbers that they were doing quite well here. It is important for tenants to notify property management if bed bugs are suspected. Often, live bed bugs are not found until populations have grown, and one of the earliest signs are unexplained bites. You'll sometimes see small blood and fecal stains on sheets and upholstered furniture.
Bed bugs on luggage
In treating bed bugs, it is important to remove clutter. For these insects, clutter provides more harborage areas, and more opportunities for these bugs to hide and escape treatment. Successful treatment of bed bug infestations needs to be a cooperative effort with the tenant. Here, I performed the initial bed bug treatment.
Bed bugs on furniture
As you can see, there was significant bed bug activity throughout the entire studio apartment. Fortunately, because it is a small apartment the bed bugs are localized. It is important to treat this infestation quickly since, in high density housing, there is always a risk that the infestation will spread as bed bugs come into onto contact with new hosts in the lobby, elevator, laundry room, and other common areas.