Oh my goodness! I stand amazed at the increase in customers with Bed Bug infestations coming in to our store lately! This is quickly becoming public enemy number ONE!
Having been in the pest control industry for some 30 years now, I've never seen any insect population grow so quick and become such a horrific problem so fast.
The first 25 years in this business we NEVER saw the first case of Bed Bugs. It's like they had been completely eradicated from our country, but then, all of a sudden we started hearing reports and seeing headlines about infestations in New York and some other northern states. And since that time, just a few short years later, we see customers with this devastating problem each and every day, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY!!
Having Bed Bugs is your worst nightmare! It affects every part of your life, every member of your family and circle of friends, and sadly, there is no "Quick and Effective" solution. It's high time that people are informed of just what it happening AND how to control this blood-sucking, hitch-hiking monster. So, for those of you who are local to Pasco County, Florida, here are the FACTS:
By the time you discover Bed Bugs in your home, you can be sure that they have been there for far longer than you realize. When that first Bed bug arrives, eggs are laid and the babies (nymphs) are only the size of a pin head. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY ARE THERE.
Once they are established and breeding, they spread from room to room and infiltrate your home, but mainly remain in the rooms where there are beds being slept in every night. If you stop sleeping in the bed...they invade the couch or the recliner. Makes no difference to them. Blood is blood.
They do not discriminate. Rich, poor, clean, dirty, and every race. No one is exempt from bringing home Bed Bugs, but some are more likely to bring them home sooner, like travelers and people who utilize public transportation (especially Taxi Cabs).
Once they are discovered, you will either need to hire a professional Exterminator OR do the job yourself USING THE CORRECT PRODUCTS IN THE CORRECT PLACES AND BEING DILIGENT TO KEEP TREATING FOR OVER A YEAR. Yes, over a year. One Bed Bug left untreated can re-infest all over again! Like I said, this IS your worst nightmare. (Sorry, but I have to tell you the truth!)
Bed Bug treatment is EXPENSIVE!!! Whether you hire a professional or do your own treatment, there is cost involved and it doesn't stop with just chemical cost. You will need to purchase mattress encasements for ALL of your mattresses AND boxsprings. Period. Not just any hypoallergenic cover either, we're talking the "Bite Proof, Escape Proof" kind and they are expensive!
The treatment itself, involves spraying every two weeks for the first 90 days. After that, you treat every 2 months, and when you reach the one year mark, you maintain control by treating every 3 months. No cans of quick-fix spray are going to clear up a Bed Bug infestation. There are literally tons of products out there and online that are preying on people's desperation and ripping them off with promises of quick cures. Please trust me, there is no "spray" that will cure this quickly! There are heat treatments that work quicker, but you're talking BIG, BIG bucks for that type of specialized service. Probably $500 per room or more!
When you are treating, you will need a "Compressed Air or Pump-Up Sprayer." This is the only equipment you will need, but what goes in the sprayer is what makes the difference. We're not talkin' Rid-A-Critter or other "retail" remedies here. We are talking PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH PRODUCTS used properly, timely and safely.
You will need 4 different products in your arsenal. One is a "Emulsifiable Concentrate" (liquid concentrate) that will target the Adult Stage of the Bug. In addition, you will ad an "Insect Growth Regulator" (birth control" the first time you treat AND every 4 months thereafter. You will also need a "Insecticide Dust" to go into all "void areas" (behind electrical outlets and light switch covers" and finally, a professional quality "Aerosol Spray" to knock down any live insects you may find in between your scheduled treatments (or in your vehicle, etc.).
*NOTE* My recommendation is based on the products which WE SELL, that are Labeled for Bed Bugs specifically. It is up to the end user to ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS! It's the Law.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is serious business. I am not trying to scare you, but this problem is very real, even here in East and West Pasco. Please don't waste your time and effort on products that are not going to work. These multi-billion dollar manufacturers are advertising to the extreme to get people to buy their products. It is a waste of time, which is so important in acting on this pest, AND a waste of your money.
You basically have two options that are solid and WILL WORK. They are:
1) Hire a trained professional exterminator (if you can afford this, it's the best option) or
2) Come and let us educate you and sell you Professional Products that are exactly the same as the Pros use. WE ARE "the PROS!" I am a State Certified Pest Control Operator and my husband, Peter is the most knowledgeable PCO I know--many professional operators come to him for advice!
We are here to help you. We have been at the Pest Control General Store (2636 US Highway 19 - Holiday) for 27 years now, and we live in this community and care about our reputation.
If you have any questions about Bed Bugs or any other pest, for that matter. Come and see us. We can help.
