Bed bugs are, by far, one of the fastest growing pest species in America today.  As a result, there's an abundance of information out there regarding them -- some accurate, some not.  On this page, we'll try and help you determine the fact from the fiction, and give you information on how to keep you and your family safe.

Bed bug bites can be difficult to diagnose, as each person's immune system reacts differently, and even the same person might have a different reaction over time. For that reason, Foster's does not identify a bed bug infestation by bite marks alone -- we inspect for the insects themselves.
More photos at the bottom of the page.

our treatment

Foster's has developed a successful three-pronged method of treating bedbugs that's worked very well for us. In our treatment, we would conduct the following steps:

Inspection

A thorough, visual inspection is conducted of the house or apartment/condo, including checking the bed(s) if the home is occupied. This inspection helps to determine the presence of bed bugs, and the level of infestation, and thus helps us to devise a plan of action for each occurrence.

Monitoring

If you know you have bed bugs, but nothing is found during the inspection, we could elect to place monitors throughout the home. The monitors would possibly capture bed bugs that might not be obvious due to a low level of infestation.

Treatment

The actual treatment may include some or all of the following methods:
  • Heat - This could include steaming, use of a heat box, and/or whole room heat treatments.
  • Vacuuming - This could include vacuuming harborages, live bugs, dead bugs, egg shells, molted skins, and feces. Vacuuming is valuable in keeping track of new activity.
  • Insecticide Sprays - This method treats cracks and crevices, baseboards, ceiling-wall and floor-wall junctions, closets and along window and door frames. The insecticide has residual components to help kill bugs that come out after the treatment is over.
  • Aerosols - Used to treat crack and crevices, furniture, and bed frames.
  • Insecticide Dusts - Used to treat wall voids and electrical outlets. These are very stable and provide a residual component to the treatment.
  • Mattress Liners - Special liners are installed on either the mattress or box springs. They have properties built in to kill bed bugs for up to 2 years. This is done to eliminate bed bug hiding places, and to save those items from having to be discarded.
  • Monitors - There are various monitors to chose from, that work differently. Some are installed under the legs of the bed frame and possibly other furniture to monitor activity in that area. Others use lures to attract and catch bed bugs in the area. Still others are placed in areas conducive to possible activity.

Bed bug myths

Here are some common myths about bed bugs, as well as the truth:
  • Myth: Bed bugs are dangerous and carry disease.
Bed bugs are not vectors of disease. Although the bite marks they leave behind can be quite uncomfortable, you don't have to worry about getting sick from them.
  • Myth: You can't see a bed bug with the naked eye.
A newly-hatched bed bug, called a first-stage nymph, is 1.5mm, or about the size of a poppy seed. Unless they have fed, they can be hard to see with the naked eye, simply due to their white, almost translucent color. The bedbug then goes through five more nymph stages, until they reach their adult size -- 5-7mm, or about the size of an apple seed. Unless they're on a dark surface, adults can easily be seen without any sort of magnifying equipment.
  • Myth: You have to throw everything away.
Except in extreme cases, all infested surfaces can be salvaged with proper treatment. That includes bedding, the mattress/boxspring, the bed frame, or any other furniture or linens. Please talk with your pest control provider before throwing anything away.

how to protect yourself

Please note, there are no guaranteed ways to keep yourself from becoming infected with bed bugs.  But these suggestions will certainly help lessen the odds.
  • Don't use mattresses or upholstered furniture that's been left on a curb or on the street, even if it's marked "free"
  • Check your mattress, sheets, and headboard for feces and  bloodstains regularly
  • If you think you have bed bugs, call Foster's Pest Control as soon as you can for a free inspection.
When Traveling: 
  • Carry a flashlight with you to help check for bedbugs
  • When you first check into your hotel room, check the mattress, sheets, and headboard for bloodstains or feces.  Pay special attention to the seam of the mattress.
  • Keep your suitcase off the floor, such as on the luggage rack most hotels provide
  • Upon returning home, immediately wash all clothes, shoes, and other washable items, including your luggage as possible, whether you've worn or used these items or not.
Need to write that down? Use our Bed Bug Travel Guide! Click the button below to download our guide as a Word document, then you can print it out and check off each item as you accomplish it!