Identifying, Treating, and Preventing Bed Bug Infestations

Bed bug infestations are an increasing problem across North America. If you fear you have an infestation or have been exposed to one, you are not alone, and there are solutions. It"s important to first identify if you indeed have bed bugs, or possibly another type of parasite such as fleas. Once you confirm you have bed bugs, you might wonder how you were exposed or if they are a health risk, but most importantly, you need to know what steps you should take to get rid of them, and how you can prevent their return. With help and the proper information, you can identify and eliminate bed bugs from your home or work environment.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Although individual reactions can vary, bed bug bites often appear as raised, inflamed bumps on exposed areas of skin such as the arms, legs, or upper body. The welts may be initially confused for mosquito bites or a rash, but bed bugs bites are often found in clusters or trails created by the insect moving between feeding intervals. Other signs of infestation include blood spotting on bedding or the bed frame and mattress -- small, rusty spots caused by feeding -- and shed skins from molting. Bed bugs themselves usually stay hidden during the day, but adults are small, flat, flightless insects about the size of an apple seed. They are dark brown or reddish-brown in color, and may be mistaken as ticks or immature cockroaches.

How do bed bugs travel, and where do bed bugs come from?

Adult bed bugs can travel on clothing, but they most often stow away in luggage, backpacks, bedding, or used furniture. As their name suggests, bed bugs are often found in and around beds because they prefer to stay close to a food source, but they can also squeeze into crevices in dressers, along the edges of baseboards and carpets, even behind electrical outlets, and they may be found anywhere where frequent visitor turnover is common. Hotel rooms are not the only places bed bugs may transfer hosts -- theaters, buses, and grocery stores may be sources of an infestation.

What are the health risks of bed bugs in my home or workplace?

Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, but an infestation can cause other negative effects like anxiety, sleeplessness, and chronic itching. Some individuals have had allergic reactions to bed bug bites, and scratching at bites can lead to secondary infections. The risk of infection is especially dangerous to individuals with compromised immune systems. While bed bugs have been associated with cluttered or unsanitary conditions, they can thrive anywhere. Bed bugs are drawn to body heat and carbon dioxide, not dirt, and are not necessarily a sign of an unclean environment.

What can I do if I think I’ve been exposed to bed bugs?

Wash and dry your clothes on the highest heat setting as soon as you arrive home, if not before. Find a flat, non-carpeted surface where you can unpack luggage while inspecting for signs of bed bugs, and transfer your items into sealed plastic bags. Steam clean or vacuum freeze luggage if possible, and purchase a bed bug-proof mattress cover. To prevent bed bug infestations, try to store work, school, or travel items separately, and don’t store luggage under your bed. When away from home, keep your clothing and personal items inside your luggage instead of moving them into drawers or closets, and keep your bags on a luggage rack away from the walls, never open on your bed. At home, reduce clutter that bed bugs can use to hide in, and vacuum carpets regularly.

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

If you suspect you have bed bugs, contact a pest management professional right away. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of, in part because -- until recently -- infestations haven’t been common in the United States since World War II, and many people never learned preventative measures or how to recognize signs of infestation. Bed bugs are also hardy insects and resistant to many common pesticides. Bed bug eggs in particular are very resilient, and an infestation will persist unless all life stages have been eliminated. While working with a pest management professional, restrict contact with the area you suspect to be the source of infestation until all bed bug treatments have been completed. Attempts to treat the area yourself may result in bed bugs spreading to other areas of the home. With cooperation and careful, proper treatment, it is possible to remove bed bugs from your home or workplace.

How Can I Protect My Family from SFTS and Other Tick Borne Illnesses?

Ticks spread a number of serious illnesses. In the news there have been reports of SFTS, which is spread by the East Asian Tick that was recently introduce to United States. Currently, this tick is only found in the New Jersey area, and it is not in the Arlington area. However, the tick is expected to spread throughout the United States since it is extremely invasive. The experts are predicting a record tick season in Virginia, which increases your chances of contracting an illness from a tick. There are things that you can do to protect your family from SFTS and other tick-borne illnesses.

Protect Your Yard

One of the best ways to protect your family is to have a tick treatment applied to your yard. This will kill the ticks that are there and also creates a barrier around your yard that will stop ticks from wandering in. Getting rid of any leaf litter in your yard also helps, as does keeping your lawn short.

Dress Appropriately

When you go into areas that are prone to ticks, it is important to dress appropriately. You can do this by wearing long sleeves and long pants. When you tuck your shirt in and your pants into your socks, you give the ticks fewer places that they can come into contact with your skin. Once you leave an area that has ticks, you should check your clothing, because you may be able to brush off any ticks that are on your clothing before they have the chance to attach.

Wear Insect Repellent

Insect repellent is very good at stopping ticks from biting you. DEET is the most effective treatment for ticks. It comes in a number of different strengths. Once your child is two months old, it is safe to use insect repellent up to 25% DEET. If you are older, you can use 40% or higher if you know you will be spending an extended period of time in area with ticks. Be sure to reapply according the package directions.

Check for Ticks

It is important to regularly check for ticks. You should check under your arms, between your legs and behind your knees for ticks. You should also check around your hairline and in your ears. The sooner you find and remove a tick the better. This is because the ticks spread the disease when the regurgitate. If you find a tick, remove it with a pair of tweezers by pulling straight back. Never using gasoline, rubbing alcohol or Vaseline because this will cause the tick to regurgitate into your skin and it will increase the chances of you getting sick.

Resources

http://www.pestcontrol10.com/EcoTek-Termite-and-Pest-Control-271-93.htm
http://www.pestcontrol10.com/EcoTek-Termite-and-Pest-Control-of-Manassas-305-118.htm
http://www.pestcontrol10.com/EcoTek-Termite-and-Pest-Control-of-Northern-Virginia-306-118.htm
https://classic.penzu.com/p/17f94f87
http://feeds.feedburner.com/EcotekTermiteAndPestControl
http://feeds.feedburner.com/EcotekTermitePestControlManassas
http://feeds.feedburner.com/EcotekTermitePestControlNOVA

What Is the East Asian Tick?

The East Asian tick is a tick that is mostly brown in color. It is a tick that is considered very invasive, meaning it can quickly establish itself in an area. It is able to reproduce asexually. These ticks are often found in large numbers and can be very difficult to completely eliminate.

How Did the East Asian Tick Get to the United States?

No one is sure how the East Asian tick came to the United States. It was first found this fall in new Jersey. The officials there tried to eradicate it but were unable to. They just determined that is firmly established in New Jersey. It has not been identified in other areas of the United States including the Virginia Beach area. However, no one is sure how long it will take for the tick to spread outside of New Jersey.

Why Are People Worried About the East Asian Tick?

One of the reasons people are concerned about this tick is it is a known carrier of STFS, which is a serious illness. The ticks can also transmit other illnesses such as including Japanese spotted fever. They are often spotted around farm animals, but can also attach themselves to other animals including deer.

Should I Worry About Other Ticks Too?

The wet winter means that there should be a large tick population this year. Although the East Asian tick has not been identified in Virginia Beach yet, a number of other ticks have. These ticks also carry illnesses that can make you, your family or your pets very sick. These illnesses include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Stair and Lyme disease. Ticks can bite throughout the year and the small ticks, also called seed ticks, are very prevalent in the spring.

What Steps Can I Take to Stop Tick Bites?

There are steps you can take to protect yourself from tick bites. The first is to treat your yard for ticks. This allows you to enjoy your time outside without worrying about being bitten. Be sure to check for ticks often, especially after visiting a tick-prone area. You can wear insect repellent with DEET in it to reduce the chances of being bitten. Dressing in love sleeves and long pants can help. If you tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants, you lower the chance of being bitten. If you find a tick, you should remove it with tweezers and then flush it down the toilet or wrap it in tape.

Additional Articles

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https://pestcontrolofvirginiabeach.blogspot.com/2018/06/pest-control-reasons-you-need-to.html

https://ecotektermiteandpestcontrolofvirginiabeach.wordpress.com/2018/06/08/pest-control-that-gets-the-bugs-out/

https://ecotekpestcontrolofvirginia.tumblr.com/post/174684155609/learn-the-importance-of-experience-in-performing

https://ecotekpestcontrolo.wixsite.com/mysite/home/keeping-home-safe-while-doing-pest-control

http://ecotekpestcontrolofvirginia.webstarts.com/blog/post/pest-control-dealing-with-a-squirrel-infestation

http://ecotektermiteandpestcontrolofvirginiabeach.bravesites.com/entries/general/why-is-it-necessary-to-opt-for-a-pest-control-service-

How Likely Am I to be Bitten by the East Asian Tick in Manassas?

There have recent reports about the East Asian tick in the news. This tick has just been identified as establishing itself in the United States. This tick species is considered extremely invasive and it is hard to eradicate. At this time the East Asian tick has only been found in New Jersey, so it is unlikely that you will be bitten by this tick in Manassas. However, it will likely spread and it is something that you should be aware of in the upcoming years.

Can Ticks Make Me Sick?

The East Asian tick is a known carrier of the SFTS virus which has not been found in the United States. This virus causes people to become quite ill. Since it is a virus there is not a known treatment, instead doctors will try to manage the symptoms and help you recover. There is a mortality rate of about twelve percent. There are other tick-borne illnesses in the United states including STARI, Rocky Mount spotted fever and Lyme disease. However, these can be treated with antibiotics and cured if caught early enough.

What Areas Are Prone to Ticks?

Experts have predicted a very active 2018 tick season. This means that you should be aware of any areas that may have ticks. They tend to like areas with leaf litter, areas with tall grass or bushes or the woods. You may be more likely to pick up a tick when camping or hunting, but they can be found in your backyard or at your city park too.

How Do I Check for Ticks?

It is important to check for ticks on a regular basis. You should check your clothing as soon as you leave a tick prone area. You may be able to brush the ticks off and avoid bringing them home for you. Once you arrive home, you should change your clothes and check behind your knees, under your arms and between your legs. They also like to attach themselves around your hairline or in your ears.

What Do I Do If I Find a Tick?

You should only remove the tick with tweezers by pulling straight back. Do not twist the tick to make it come loose, because it can leave its head embedded in your skin which can cause an infection. Once the tick is detached, you should dispose of it properly. You should not crush it with your hands because this increase the chances of you contracting an illness. If you start to develop signs of a tick-borne illness which usually includes a fever, you should seek medical attention and tell your doctor you were bitten by a tick. Most importantly you should take precautions by eliminating ticks in your yard through a professional tick control treatment.

What Danger Does the East Asian Tick Pose to People in North Carolina?

The East Asian tick has been on the news because it has been found in the United States. This tick is originally from Asia. It is recognized as a highly invasive species. It multiplies rapidly. It can reproduce asexually. When the East Asian tick is found, it is usually found in large numbers. There has been a case reported where enough ticks attached to one cow that they drained the cow until it died.

Should I Be Concerned About the East Asian Tick?

The main concern at this time is that the tick will spread throughout the United States. Currently, it is not in North Carolina, but officials are not sure how quickly it will spread. It does not respond well to attempts to contain it so the chances are that it will eventually reach North Carolina. The major concern is that the East Asian tick carries SFTS, which is a dangerous virus. There is no known treatment for the virus, instead doctors will manage the symptoms as the patients go through the course of the illness.

How Do I Identify Different Types of Ticks?

It can be difficult to identify the different types of ticks. The East Asian tick is brown and does not have spots or patterns on the back. However, this is similar to other ticks. The best option is to take the tick to the doctor or to your agricultural department to have it identified. Once you remove the tick, you should place it on a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and seal it in a zipper bag. The experts can look at the tick and determine what it is. If you find a tick that you have not seen before, you should have it checked out.

What Can I Do to Prevent Tick Bites?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent tick bites. When you are going into an area that has a lot of ticks, you should wear insect repellent with DEET. Wearing long sleeves and long pants can help too. You can treat your yard for ticks, and if you are worried about your children being bitten or if you live near woods, this is a good option. The tick season is expected to be record breaking with a large outbreak in North Carolina, so make sure you have professionals treat your yard for ticks. There are already several types of ticks in the area that can spread diseases, and you should be protecting your family from them.

Additional Articles

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http://ecotektermiteandpestcontrolofvirginia.blogspot.com/2018/06/pest-control-tips-for-homeowner.html

https://ecotektermiteandpestcontrolofnorthernvirginia.wordpress.com/2018/06/08/pest-control-how-to-choose-a-company/

https://ecotektermiteandpestcontrolus.tumblr.com/post/174688722891/pest-control-problems-solved

https://ecotekpestcontrolo1.wixsite.com/mysite/home/a-top-quality-pest-control-service-is-worth-its-weight-in-gold

http://ecotektermiteandpestcontrol.webstarts.com/blog/post/5-important-pest-prevention-steps

http://ecotekpestcontrolofnvirginia.bravesites.com/entries/general/how-to-control-pest-in-your-garden-in-an-organic-way

https://ecotektermite-2.atavist.com/a-pest-control-professional-can-make-you-feel-good-about-your-home-again

http://ecotekpestcontrolofnvirginia.jigsy.com/entries/general/being-wise-in-lawn-care-having-an-impact-on-successful-pest-control

How to Get Rid Of Fleas in Your Clothes

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More and more people today are keeping pets for comfort and companionship. However, pets also cause people to have to face many problems. One of the most annoying issues that most people have to deal with is fleas. Fleas can appear in every corner of the house such as in carpets, in beds, on your cats and dogs and on your clothes. Today, we will focus on treating fleas on your clothes.

Detect Problems

To eradicate fleas in your clothes in the most effective way, it is advised that you should find and detect the original cause of the flea infestation. First, you should check your pets as a flea infestation usually originates with them. If the cause of fleas in your clothes is your pets, you will need to give your pets some treatments to get rid of their fleas. This could be bathing them in flea shampoo and applying flea collars.

After detecting and treating the fleas on your pets, if any, you should remove them from the area for a while before implementing the next steps. This is because fleas can jump over a long distance, thus if you do not remove your pets, they may jump straight back onto your pets, making all your hard work for nothing. Then, check your wardrobe, your carpets and rugs to find the things that have fleas on. You can now take steps to eradicate them.

Steps for Removal

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If you find out that the fleas are in your clothes, the following steps would enable you to eradicate them effectively. Firstly, make sure you put all infested clothing into a sturdy plastic bag and seal it up. This step will prevent you from spreading fleas while you are transporting your clothes to the washing machine or laundry facility.

You can now use a vacuum cleaner to eradicate any fleas’ eggs that are left. You should vacuum your carpets, floors, bed, and wardrobe thoroughly. Steam cleaning these things would be even more effective, as fleas will not survive the high temperatures. Wash all your clothes at the highest temperature your washing machine can reach. Once they’re dry, iron them thoroughly to kill any remaining flea eggs.

Once all this has been done, use some natural flea control products to prevent the fleas coming back again. This may be cedar wood blocks in your wardrobe or sprinkling it with essential oil such as lavender or tea tree oil.

Finally, keep your clothes in a dry place as this can prevent a re-infestation. Fleas like to live and breed in dark, humid places. It’s important to make sure that your house is always kept in a clean, tidy and sanitary condition.

Prevention

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is a wise old saying. It is necessary to take some preventative steps after removing existing fleas on your pets and in your home. Here are a few tips to help you.

Vacuuming daily

It is important to vacuum your entire house daily. Because one female flea can lay up to fifty eggs a day, vacuuming daily is the best prevention method to protect your pets and your home.

Wash and launder regularly

 Do not leave your dirty clothes for more than three days before washing them. This will prevent fleas maturing and laying eggs on your clothes. Fleas prefer humid, dark and dirty places, which sounds just like a laundry basket! Thus, always do your laundry regularly

Use natural flea products

All the above-mentioned methods can help protect you from fleas. However, you should take the additional step of using natural flea products. This is one of the most effective prevention and treatment methods for fleas. One suggestion is cedar oil products, which can be sprayed onto your pets or around the yard and house. Another is to plant rosemary or lavender plants in pots around the outside of the house.

I hope that all the above steps can help you confront the problem of fleas in your clothes. You can find more flea treatments on this website.

5 Dangers of Wildlife on Your Property

Wildlife is a common occurrence in rural areas, and it is even common to see some wildlife in cities. You may be dealing with raccoons, moles, squirrels, deer and even foxes. While wildlife is common and an important part of nature, it is not necessarily a good idea to have a lot of wildlife on your property. There are dangers that wildlife can carry, and you may need to have some of the wildlife trapped and removed from your property or set up fences to keep it out of your home. Here are five dangers of wildlife on your property.

Danger to Your Pets

Wildlife can be a danger to your pets. If the wildlife has contracted rabies and is behaving erratically, it may be more likely to attack your pets. Some wildlife like coyotes may prove dangerous to your small dogs or cats. Raccoons will also defend their territory and may pose a threat to your animals that approach them. You will need to take your pet to the vet if they are bitten by animal.

Chance of Being Bitten

Some types of wildlife may be dangerous for your children as well. Raccoons are aggressive if your children accidentally stumble on a nest. Woodchucks have a powerful bite and strong teeth and can do serious damage to your home. Poisonous snakes also pose a problem for your children and will need to be addressed if they are on your property.

Exposure to Feces

Some of the animal feces can contain parasites that they can seriously impact your family if they even just accidentally step in it or disturb it. Raccoons have a parasite that will burrow into different areas of your body and leave a cyst that can cause issues years later. The best way to protect your family from these areas is to keep the animals away from your family.

Damage to Your Property

Wildlife can damage your property. If they get into your crawlspace or your attic, they can pull apart your insulation, chew through wiring and wreak havoc on your HVAC system. They can also chew through your fence, tip over trash cans and they can ruin your vegetable garden. Even birds and bats can damage your home if they live in your attic.

Risk of Contracting an Illness

Wildlife can spread a number of different illnesses. They can also carry fleas which can also spread a number of diseases. There is also the chance of it spreading illnesses like rabies. Watching out for more aggressive animals can help you prevent from contracting an illness.