Pests We Treat - Bed bugs hiding in comfy chair in Manchester Township, NJ

A worried homeowner in Manchester Township, NJ called Cowleys after waking up with mysterious bites on her arm after falling sleep on her favorite “comfy” chair. As soon as I received the call, my initial impression was that there was a likely bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are the “usual suspects” whenever someone experiences unexplained bites after a night of sleep. These bugs are external parasites that feed exclusively on human blood. So, not surprisingly, they prefer to hide in those locations such as beds and chairs where their food source (us!) sleep or rest. It’s much easier for them to not chase after moving targets. 

When I arrived to the home, the “victim” led me to the chair where she was bitten without mercy. Since bed bugs are small creatures of stealth, inspections must be thorough and systematic to find them. I slowly turned the chair upside down to not disrupt any bugs that may be hiding. In less than a minute, my suspicions were confirmed. I found a live bed bug between the cheesecloth and the fabric of the chair. Using a tissue, I quickly captured and destroyed the insect. As I continued the inspection, I could not locate any more bed bugs in her home, but there always can be more hiding.

I strongly advised the homeowner that, to be on the safe side, a bed bug treatment would be the wisest course of action. Right now, the infestation appeared to be small and localized, which is the best time to treat it. As populations expand and bed bugs spread, treatment becomes increasingly difficult. I explained to her that sticky bed bug eggs just waiting to hatch are very small and could be virtually anywhere hidden from view — such as behind a mattress or furniture seam. These eggs can’t be discovered by the most detailed visual inspection. 

The homeowner did not want to take any chances and agreed that a treatment would be her best option to ensure that there would be no more bed bugs and no more bed bug bites. The treatment date was scheduled then and there — within 24 hours we’d be returning to service her home and ensure that there would be no more bed bugs and no more bed bug bites!