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Bed bugs are elusive and adaptive, and when someone suspects they could have a bed bug infestation developing in their house some homeowners may turn to extreme methods to eliminate them. Before contacting a professional, people purchase pesticides at hardware stores or online retailers and attempt to solve the issue themselves. But, is this the right course of action? Crossfire Bed Bug Concentrate is a popular choice for in-home pesticides.

CrossFire bed bug concentrate spray is a unique insecticide which targets only one pest with a dual action formula. CrossFire is non-repellant meaning it doesn’t get rid of bed bugs by repelling them but kills them by penetrating their exoskeleton. From there it attacks their central nervous system which leads to paralysis and ultimately death, within 5 minutes of exposure. It is designed to be able to kill bed bugs in any stage of their life cycle, from eggs to adults. The water-based concentrate leaves behind no visible residue. However, CrossFire concentrate only has a residual effect of 30 days after the first application.

How is Crossfire Applied?

Crossfire is a liquid concentrate that has to be mixed with water before it is applied. 13 oz of the concentrate is mixed with 115 oz of water. Begin with 115 oz of water in your spray tank, then add the CrossFire concentrate and begin agitating the mixture. Shake the tank to ensure thorough mixing, and you’re ready to go. Once mixed, it must be used immediately because it forms a gel substance in the bottom of your tank if left for more than 24 hours.

The mixture can be sprayed on cracks, corners, baseboards, floorboards, bed frames, headboards, furniture, doors, windows and all such other areas with a bed bug infestation. The pesticide can even be directly sprayed upon the seams and folds of mattresses and box springs. It should be sprayed until the fabric is damp but not wet. CrossFire can also be applied with a paintbrush to walls, baseboards, floorboards etc. floor surfaces should be properly vacuumed before the concentrate is applied to them.

For treatment of a pet’s living environment, the concentrate should be sprayed on and around the bedding, floors and the adjoining area. Crossfire is not meant to be applied to infested bed linens just the box spring or mattress. Those linens should be gathered, sealed tightly in a plastic bag, then laundered and dried at high temperatures prior to using them again. You wouldn’t want to sleep in sheets that are full of a pesticide would you?

Treatments Using Heat with Crossfire

Bed bug thermal treatments are an excellent and environmentally responsible method to deal with bed bugs, killing them at all phases of their life cycle in a single day. Because Crossfire cannot be applied to every cranny or object in the area impacted by the bed bug invasion, thermal treatments and Crossfire can be used in tandem. However, before applying Crossfire, the thermal process must be completed. Heat treatments degrade insecticide residuals, so heating Crossfire directly after use reduces its effectiveness.

Crossfire may not be totally necessary when using a heat treatment, however, as heat treatments are more efficient and can completely eradicate all bed bugs in less than 24 hours. If your looking for a non-chemical bed bug removal method that can eliminate all bed bug life phases in a single day! Contact ECO Bed Bug Maryland at 410.929.3420 to schedule your inspection today.

Bed bugs are resilient creatures that can survive in many environments. But how long can bed bugs survive in a vacant home? It’s a common question when dealing with vacant properties such as rentals or vacation homes, or when moving into a new home.

Bed bugs can survive for up to twelve months without food and up to eighteen months without any oxygen. The temperature of the house and the presence of a blood meal host are the two main things that affect how quickly or slowly bed bugs die. If their host leaves the house, they will seek new prey, even if it is not a human. The blood of other pests and animals such as rats, mice, dogs, and birds, among others, could provide a new source of food. Bed bugs do not require frequent feedings and will survive for months or years in an empty home until a new human host is present.

Extreme temperatures can also cause the death of bed bugs. Specifically, bed bugs cannot survive a three-week period at temperatures below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. On the opposite end of the spectrum, these pest cannot survive a week at temperatures higher than 113 degrees Fahrenheit. All of this means that even if you simply leave a home for an extended period of time (even a year or more), you may still return to a bed bug infestation. The best course of action is to exterminate the bugs as soon as possible. To begin, please click the button below.

IN AN EMPTY HOUSE, WHERE DO BED BUGS HIDE?

Bed bugs prefer to hide in places where humans spend a significant amount of time, such as couches, beds, and other furniture. If there are any furniture items left in the house, this is the most likely place to look first. Bed bugs may be concealed between wall crevices, in spaces between light switch sockets and the wall, behind loose trim, or under molding if they cannot detect the presence of carbon dioxide from a host and the space is completely vacant. If the residence has hardwood flooring, the bugs may be hiding out between the floorboards and, if they are loose enough, under them.

If you suspect pests in your vacant home, you should know how to check for and control bed bugs. Without having to wait for bed bug bites to appear on your skin, checking will also tell you if bed bugs have spread to other areas of your home. Can you see any bed bugs? Bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye, but they are extremely small. Using the proper equipment can thus make it much easier to find them. For example, an active monitor will draw bed bugs out of hiding only to trap them. Attaching bed bug interceptors to bed posts and furniture legs to catch any insects climbing up furniture will also aid in the detection of an infestation. Another method is to place a piece of dry ice next to the interceptors in each room. The carbon dioxide emitted by the dry ice will attract bed bugs from their hiding places, causing them to become trapped in the interceptors. Be sure to adhere to all dry ice handling safety requirements.

Having Bed Bug Problems? We Can Help!

Are you worried about maintaining a pest-free environment in your brand-new house? Get in touch with us at ECO so we can help you get rid of those annoying bed bugs in your home. To find out more about the services we offer, please visit our website or call us at (410) 324.6223,

It goes without saying that finding even one bed bug in your home is reason for concern. Even while you might not believe a single tiny bug is a significant concern, it can be an indication that an infestation is rapidly spreading right under your nose.

Why a Few Bed Bugs Pose a Risk

It’s possible that only a few hitchhikers made it inside your home by clinging to a piece of luggage brought back from a hotel, a ride share or a guest’s clothing, but if you find one, there are likely more. Because of their social nature, bed bugs tend to congregate in huge numbers.

There’s especially cause for concern if there are any female bed bugs—if one is pregnant, it will start laying eggs rapidly and then reproduce with its offspring. A single female can lay 500 eggs in her lifetime. Male bed bugs have pointed abdomens, whereas females have round abdomens.

Because bed bugs are only 7 millimeters long at their longest, this distinction may be difficult for some to see.

Why Are Bed Bugs Difficult to Spot?

Bed bugs are challenging to find for a variety of factors. Before they gorge themselves on the blood of human and animal hosts, their bodies are slim. The body is shaped like an apple seed and has a reddish-brown tint that blends well with dark baseboards, furniture, and flooring.

Bed bugs are challenging to find for a variety of factors. Before they gorge themselves on the blood of human and animal hosts, their bodies are slim. The body is shaped like an apple seed and has a reddish-brown tint that blends well with dark baseboards, furniture, and flooring.

How to Determine if It Is a Bed Bug

Before you jump to conclusions, it’s a good idea to confirm that what you’ve found or the bites your waking up with is really from a bed bug. Bed bugs are oval-shaped, reddish-brown, and 5-7 millimeters long, with six legs and small, segmented antennae.

Cockroach nymphs, carpet beetles, and fleas are all common pests that people misidentify as bed bugs. Even bites in similar locations on the body can look similar. Therefore. It is critical to understand additional potential bed bug warning signs.

Signs That You Have Bed Bugs

There are a few telltale indicators that you may have a bed bug infestation that is larger than simply one bug.

• Blood stains—Are mostly small, dark red, and roundish or smeared. Blood stains from bed bugs occur during feeding and are most commonly found near the foot of the bed or on your pillowcase.
• Exoskeletons—Bed bugs resemble their molted skins. They look alike and are translucent. Nonetheless, they resemble bed bug shells. The bed bug that molted will determine their size.
• Eggs—Resembles a grain of rice but smaller. Most are pearly white-grey with a 1 millimeter-long oval form. A hinged cap at the front of each egg opens to release a bed bug nymph.
• Egg casings— translucent, hollow shapes of juvenile bed bugs. Are typically simpler to find than the bugs themselves.
• Fecal matter—These fecal spots are black in color (not red because the blood has already been digested) and are often seen in clusters.
• Bite marks—If you’re allergic to bed bugs, you’ll likely have marks on your face, neck, arms, and hands. Usually small, flat or elevated spots that may become irritated, itchy, red, or blistered and tend to leave straight rows of bites.
• Musty, sweet berry like odor—This unpleasant, moldy smell comes from bed bugs’ scent glands. It often takes a large infestation to detect this bed bug smell.

How to Spot Bed Bugs

If you want to look for more indicators of bed bug activity before calling in the pros, you should begin by moving your bed away from the walls. There is a reason why they are called bed bugs. They tend to congregate in your bed frame, mattress, box spring, and linen because they enjoy living close to their food source.

Turn pillows and comforters inside out and remove all bedding. Examine each and every fold and crease. Your mattress and box spring are excellent bed insect harborages, especially the piping along the edges of your mattress. Check both sides of your mattress by flipping it over. You will need to carefully disassemble your bed frame and inspect each joint individually.

Calling the Professionals

There are a few steps you can take from here, such as thoroughly washing your linens and drying them on the highest heat setting possible, and purchasing zippered mattress and box spring encasements. However, your next step should be to contact a professional pest control company.

Following a thorough inspection, ECO will devise a targeted, tailored plan to eliminate all bed bugs—eggs, visible ones, and any that may be hiding.

What do bed bugs look like?

They’re as small as a apple seed. Adult bed bugs are reddish brown in color, wingless, and are about the size of an apple seed. Immature bed bugs (there are 5 immature or nymphal instar stages) can also be seen with the naked eye but they are smaller than adults, and translucent whitish-yellow in color.

You may not even be aware that you have them until you wake up with red, itchy welts on your skin. Another terrible feature is that bed bugs are difficult to eradicate since they are so secretive.

What Are Bed Bug Interceptors?

It’s a small, round, two-well device. The bed frame’s foot goes in the inner well, which may contain talcum powder. Bed bugs get caught in the trap when they climb over the edge to get up the bedpost. These work best in beds that people use often, since bed bugs like to bite warm people.

Bed bug interceptors must be cleaned and refilled on a monthly basis. You’ll be able to see signs of bed bugs entering the trap when you wipe them out. If there are no dead bugs, larvae, or eggs in the device, you’re safe.

How many bed bug traps are necessary?

We recommend placing bed bug interceptors beneath every bedpost. They can also be placed beneath the feet of upholstered furniture in any part of the home. If you want to be extra cautious, you may also position them randomly throughout your home, which may involve purchasing a dozen or more, depending on the size of your household. They are accessible via major internet merchants such as Amazon and home improvement warehouses.

Make sure the device is not too close to the wall if you plan to use it with a bed. When putting in the traps, make sure that all bedding is off the ground by taking away things like blankets that reach the floor, dust ruffles, and bed skirts. If your bed is a platform, you can monitor activity by putting multiple bed bug interceptors around the base. If you already have pests in your house, they generally won’t deter them from using that kind of bed.

Pros:

◦ Accurate

◦ Online purchases are affordable

◦ Simple to set up

◦ No chemicals or insecticides

◦ Not requiring replacement or refilling

Cons:

◦ Outcomes are not instantaneous.

◦ Bed bugs that live in your mattress or bed frame might not be caught.

If you find bed bugs in your interceptors, contact us immediately. A professional inspection is recommended to specifically locate where the bed bugs are hiding and come up with an effective plan of action.

Bed bugs love clutter and may be your biggest enemy if you have too much of it. Clutter not only makes it harder to provide a space with heat, but also gives an infinite number of hiding places for bed bugs. The bed bug population can be reduced, but not eliminated, if the environment remains disorganized.

Tips for clearing clutter.

When not in use, shoes, bedding, toys, books, extra clothing, and other goods can be conveniently stored in plastic containers with lids and big zip-top bags. The fact that these containers will provide a “protected zone” outside of which bed bugs cannot enter is an advantage. 

Avoid letting books and periodicals pile up. To limit the amount of clutter where bed bugs can hide, throw them away or shred them. Plastic file storage containers are a good place to put important documents. Never let your dirty clothing accumulate on the floor. Use hampers as an alternative.

Don’t – Donate goods with bed bugs.

During their efforts to reduce clutter, many people like to donate unwanted goods. Although this is a terrific method to clear up clutter, if you think your home may be infested with bed bugs, you should NOT donate or remove any items from it. Before removing any objects from the house, they should all be treated for bed bugs and the efficacy of the treatment confirmed.

DO – Exercise caution when in public.

Be mindful of where you travel and how you position any items that could “take up” the hitchhikers, such as purses, luggage, and backpacks.

DON’T – Discard your belongings.

Items with bed bugs should NOT be thrown into the trash, on the ground, or in an alley. The mere mention of bed bugs makes many people cringe and want to toss everything away. This is unneeded and can exacerbate the issue. Bed bugs can fall off of the item and spread across the house to areas that aren’t infected as you disturb the bed bugs and move items around the house.

Never put goods with bed bugs on the curb or alongside dumpsters. When unaware individuals pick up a perfectly nice couch, mattress, or dresser and bring it home, they risk bringing bed bugs with them and spreading an infestation throughout their own residences.

If an item must be discarded, it must be wrapped and packed in plastic to prevent bed bugs from falling off during travel. Ensure that all objects are completely contained by wrapping them in plastic, taping them, and clearly labeling each bag with “WARNING – BED BUGS PRESENT” prior to transporting them through your home, out onto your sidewalk, or into your dumpster. If you engage a waste removal service to remove bed bug-infested goods, you should inform them that the items are infested.

DO – Research bed bugs in more detail.

The more knowledgeable a person is about bed bugs, prevention, and treatments, the more successful their treatments are.

DON’T – Turn a blind eye to bed bugs.

If you see or think you have bed bugs, let people know so they don’t come over and take some with them. Bed bugs don’t mean you or your home are “dirty,” and you shouldn’t feel bad about having a problem with them. Also, you’ll be doing your friends and family a big favor by telling them NOT to come over until the problem is fixed. Or, if your friends have been to your house and you find bed bugs, call them right away!!!

DO – Use Heat

Without a doubt, the best technique to get rid of bed bugs is with heat. A well executed heat treatment works faster and more efficiently than any other treatment.

For more information on heat treatments contact us at (410) 929-3420.

Every year at this time, millions of teenagers and young people throughout the nation are returning to college for an additional year of higher education. These college students have a bright future as they settle into off-campus residences as well as residence halls on campus and prepare for a successful first semester. It is very simple to overlook the minor details during all the excitement, which can easily sabotage a promising start to the school year.

The number of bed bugs in the United States has risen dramatically in the past decade. Many people wrongly assume that bed bugs can only be found in dirty homes or on old furniture, but this is not the case at all; bed bugs are quite content in a spotless hospital as they are in a shabby trailer park. Bed bugs have recently made a home in college dorms. Many guests are traveling from out of town, potentially bringing bed bugs with them. Furthermore, they can do their laundry here before returning home for the holidays. There is no better situation for a bed bug.

Students, as well as parents who drive their children to school, must remember to protect themselves against these tiny little invaders. It only takes a few minutes for a bed bug or two to make their way onto your clothing or into your bags, where they will remain undetected until they have laid hundreds of eggs and hatched a whole new generation of pests for you to deal with. It is critical to be on the lookout for bed bugs at any overnight stops on the way to school. Take a few minutes, no matter how tired you are, to peel back the sheets, especially near the head of the bed, and inspect the mattress for signs of bed bug activity. Typically, you will notice dirt marks and smears that could be feces or even blood droplets from a previous meal. You might even see the bugs themselves, or the casings that growing juveniles leave behind. If you find any indication of a problem, do not unpack and notify the front desk immediately.

Even when you arrive at school and everyone is excited to get in and settle in, your bed bug investigation is far from over. Before unpacking any bags, both parents and students should thoroughly inspect the bed and all of the furniture in the room. Bed bugs can survive for months just waiting for students to return to school for a snack. Even if everything appears to be in order, it is a good idea to recheck for bed bugs on a regular basis. It is a common misconception on college campuses that bed bugs are only found in dorm rooms. These tenacious creatures have been known to wait for the ideal host in the cafeteria, library, classrooms, or even on a bench outside. Regularly inspecting your living quarters can help you save a lot of time and heartache later on and prevent the spread.

THE HIDING SPOTS

1. Beds – this may seem self-evident. Because these insects are known as “bed” bugs, the first place you should look is in your bed. However, this does not only apply to the mattress. They can fit themselves into the smallest cracks in the bed frame. Bed bugs can also hide in box springs. Check the frame thoroughly if it is made of wood. Examine the entire mattress, checking every wrinkle and space. Bed bugs can travel with you or on your clothing and end up in your room. Check them thoroughly and keep in mind that bed bugs can be very small, resembling pepper grains or apple seeds rather than insects. For added protection, bed bug mattress encasements are available.
2. Couches and chairs – ensure that the couches and chairs in public areas are also free of bed bugs. They can get into your room by riding on you or your clothing. Check to see if the sofa you picked up on the street to add to your dorm room or student apartment is free of bed bugs. Check them thoroughly and keep in mind that bed bugs can be very small, resembling pepper grains or apple seeds rather than insects.
3. Baseboards – Although bed bugs are notorious for hiding in fabric-covered objects, they will hide anywhere. This includes the baseboards that run around the bottom of the walls in the room. They can also hide in electrical sockets near the ground and behind anything else that comes into contact with the wall.
4. Dressers – Because bed bugs can enter a dorm room or bedroom through clothing or by climbing into suitcases, they can end up inside dressers. Examine the drawers for shed skins or the insects themselves. They can also hide in the corners, between the cracks, or on the clothing stored there.
5. Clothing – piles of clothing (common in college dorms and fraternity houses) are ideal hiding places for bed bugs. Check for bed bugs in drawers, closets, laundry baskets, and laundry rooms. You can reduce the risk of bed bug infestations by keeping as much clothing as possible off the ground.

If bed bugs are ever discovered, ECO Bed Bug has the solution! Whether they are discovered in a dorm room or a studio apartment, our bed bug professionals can not only find the cause of your infestation but also eradicate it. We can also handle it if your student brought them home to you. Call us right away and inquire about a commercial or residential inspection.

Unfortunately, bed bug treatment is unable to stop new infestations from happening. However, your initiative might. Hiring a professional to perform a thorough inspection.

Our inspectors use ultra-violet lights to check for any signs of bed bug presence in your entire home such as excrement, fecal spots, eggshells and shed skins. We thoroughly examine your bedding, baseboards, couches, luggage, furniture, electrical outlets and cracks/crevices. Newborn bed bugs are very small in size and clear in color, UV lights help in the detection process of bed bugs and their eggs with a distinct glow.

Contact us today at (410) 929-3420 to schedule an inspection.

It’s likely that assisting someone move will expose you to bed bugs. This could happen in a variety of ways, including:

If you put some of the person’s boxes in your car.If you put your bag or belongings on the person’s moving boxes.If you pick up a box that has a bed bug on the outside, and it transfers to you.If you’re offered and keep something belonging to your friend, as thanks for helping.

• If you put some of the person’s boxes in your car.
• If you put your bag or belongings on the person’s moving boxes.
• If you pick up a box that has a bed bug on the outside, and it transfers to you.
• If you’re offered and keep something belonging to your friend, as thanks for helping.

One of the easiest way to catch them isn’t when you’re moving boxes. It’s when you enter someone else’s home and put your belongings down. Bed bugs are fast and will try to enter your bag or clothing.

How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Assisting Someone with a Move

There are ways to avoid catching bed bugs while assisting someone with a move. Bed bug quarantine is an effective way to keep them from infiltrating your home. The quarantine can be implemented using the following procedures:

• Purchase a clear plastic box. This is your quarantine container. 
• Any outdoor clothing should be stored in sealed containers. If they are, bed bugs will be unable to enter your home through your belongings.
• After using outdoor clothing, it should be washed. Bring the sealed container to the washing machine and empty it directly into the machine. 
• Keep your indoor and outdoor belongings completely separate.
• Place bed bug traps near the feet of your bed. These are known as interceptors.

Washing on high heat is a sure way to get rid of bed bugs. They die as a result of both the temperature and the water. The interceptors, on the other hand, are crucial. Bed bugs prefer to live in your mattress. It’s ideal because it’s secure, hidden, and rarely disturbed. The interceptors will keep bed bugs away from your bed. This reduces the potential size of the infestation. Not only that, but it prevents bed bugs from spreading to other areas of your room.

They need to feed on you even if they only live in your furniture. If they can’t get to you, they can’t grow, breed, or lay eggs. Interceptors are your best tool for establishing bed bug quarantine.

If you suspect you’ve brought bed bugs into your house, call us right away at (410) 929-3420 to set up an inspection and treatment.

Bed bugs are making a comeback, and they’re showing up in more places, including clothing stores. Bed bugs can easily make their way into a store with customers. In January 2020, a manager at a Walmart supermarket in Pennsylvania discovered bed bugs in a sealed pill bottle hidden inside a boy’s coat for sale.

The insects were proven to be bed bugs by a health safety company that was dispatched to the store. More bed bugs were seen crawling around a men’s dressing room by the pest controller. A second closed pill bottle containing dead bugs was also discovered in the men’s apparel area two days after the bugs were initially spotted. With this being said here are some tips to avoid bringing those little unwanted pest home.

To avoid bed bugs in stores and reduce your chances of bringing the pest home with you, follow these guidelines:

* When trying on clothes, be aware of any unusual stains. These could be blood spots left by bed bugs that have been fed.

* Before purchasing clothing, thoroughly inspect it for bed bugs. Even if you choose an item from an undisturbed pile, bed bugs may find their way onto your clothing. Pay close attention to the inside seams for any evidence of sticky white eggs, shed skins, or bugs themselves. Notify the store manager right away if you suspect the clothing has bed bugs. Before trying on clothes, check behind dressing room mirrors and any other crevices where bed bugs could hide, including wall sockets.

* To avoid bed bugs in your clothes, hang them on hooks instead of laying them across cushioned seats in dressing rooms or on the carpeted floor. These are popular and safe havens for bed bugs.

* For the trip home, keep clothing in the store bag, tied and sealed if possible. Before bringing items into the house/apartment, shake them out outside. Launder the clothing immediately in hot water or steam/dry clean delicate items.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, contact ECO Exterminators Maryland right away to schedule an inspection.

Bed bugs are active all year round and their activity levels vary from place to place and city to city. What happens in most cases is that bed bugs take advantage of more people traveling in the warmer months. Also, bed bugs might have laid their eggs in winters but their larvae and nymphs are too small for people to notice. The infestation might have started in winter itself and one must use an integrated pest control approach all through the year to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.

What Are Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?

The presence of bed bugs can be difficult or exceedingly simple to detect. Subtle signs include small blood stains or dark flakes of bug excrement on sheets or pillowcases. More obvious signs include bed bug exoskeleton and obvious bite marks on your skin. Bed bug bites tend to present themselves as raised, itchy, red and disturbed bumps in zigzagged clusters.

HOW DO bed bugs MAKE THEIR WAY into homes?

Bed bugs can enter into your home if your neighbors have them. This is especially seen in apartment style residential complexes where the houses are very close to each other. Picking up infested items like sofas, beds, mattresses etc. from the roadside is another surefire way of bringing bugs into your house. In fact; you can even get bed bugs home from your infested office. If you have been away for summer and stayed in infested motels, you might also inadvertently bring bed bugs into your home.

How to protect your home from bed bugs in summer?

People erroneously believe that summer is peak bed bug season, but it is best to use all-year round integrated pest management approach to ensure keeping your home bug free. Take the following steps to ensure you have a bug-free home by the end of the year:

• Wash and launder bedding, curtains and linen. 
• Vacuum your house thoroughly every few days. 
• If you are staying overnight at a hotel, check the room for bed bug activity. 
• You can see tell-tale signs like rust colored stains around the mattress edges. 
• Store your luggage outdoors (in the garage) as bed bugs usually do not infest these.

WhEN SHOULD YOU CALL THE Professionals?

Bed bugs are exceptionally difficult to remove on your own. To successfully banish them from your home, you will need to work closely with a pest control service. The removal process isn’t a single event but a process in which follow up inspections help to ensure that your infestation doesn’t come back or experience a resurgence.

Whether you plan to travel in the summer or winter, you should be on the lookout for unwanted pests. Pay close attention to hotel conditions, overused lounge areas, and high-traffic locations. If you have an infestation and need immediate service, call ECO Exterminators Maryland today.