Pests We Treat - Bed Bug Removal in Millstone Township, NJ

Recently, a very frustrated homeowner in Millstone Township, NJ contacted Cowleys because she thought there was a bed bug infestation in her home, but as often happens with these elusive pests, was unable to find a single live bug after searching high and low for over a week. She knew the signs of bed bugs as well and was unable to find any stains or casings in her home. She was starting to think it was all in her head, and confided in me that she was hesitant to even contact a pest control service. I assured her that she did the right thing by contacting us. Bed bugs can be notoriously difficult to locate for the untrained eye, and it is always better to play it safe and have an inspection even if you just THINK you have these pests. Often, the only early sign of a bed bug infestation is waking up in the morning with unexplained bites. I told her that I’d conduct a thorough inspection, and if she had any bed bugs, I’d take every measure necessary to get rid of them. 

Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed exclusively on the blood of animals, and they have a distinct preference for human blood. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies that are about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies balloon with blood and become a reddish color.

 I began my inspection in her bedroom, which is where she was being bitten. I slowly pulled her covers down and inspected them. It is important to remove coverings gently so that any bed bugs are not dislodged. Bed bugs like to hide in the cracks and crevices or creases of bed linens. I immediately put all of her bed linens into a black garbage bag so she could put them right in her washing machine. I advised her to wash the sheets in hot water and then place them in a dryer on the highest setting. I did not find any bed bugs or signs of bed bugs on the linens. Next, I lifted the mattress and inspected all of the seams on the underside. Once again, absolutely nothing. I did the same with the box spring. Again, I saw absolutely nothing in all of the seams.  

With a bed bug infestation, eliminating potential places is just as important as finding the bugs. Next, I focused on the bed frame. While inspecting the wooden slats of her bed frame, I saw bed bug droppings. The bed bugs had laid a few eggs as well as some droppings right next to a nylon strap that holds the bed slats together. 

It pays to be persistent! I told the homeowner she was right and not imagining anything, and that it was good that she called us sooner rather than later while the infestation was still localized and in its early stages. She was ready to get this job treated immediately. With my HEPA vacuum, I vacuumed all areas of the bed frame, including around the seams of the mattress and box spring. Once completed, I applied a light liquid application to the areas where the bed bugs were found. This application specifically targets bed bugs and is designed to deliver instant and long-lasting results.

I scheduled a two-week follow-up to check on the results. I explained to her that it is not uncommon to see a bed bug between the first and second servicing because they have to come out and come into contact with the application. The homeowner was quite relieved that the infestation was immediately found and treated, and said she will contact Cowleys for any future pest problems. For me, that type of immediate customer feedback is what makes my day!