“Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” If only it were that easy. Throughout the nation, many bed-and-breakfasts, hostels, hotels and motels are facing a bed bug crisis. These critters love the hospitality industry, because there are so many traveling humans and pets on which to feed. Standard pest control procedures will not get rid of these nasty pests. You need bed bug heat treatments in St. Louis to mitigate the problem. According to the CDC… Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Yuck. Just yuck! These critters are hard to spot, because they’re only about 7mm, if that. Some don’t grow to be that maximum size. They are reddish-brown and they don’t fly. They do however love to hide in and around the bed. Even if a room is vacant for weeks, it doesn’t mean they’ll die off. In fact, they can live months without feasting. They’re All Over the World One of the reasons why these pests are so hard to control is because they’re all over the world. They crawl into travelers’ suitcases and are transported to global destinations. They live in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. Some have discerning taste, too. Even five-star accommodations can be infested. Dirt doesn’t attract them; humans and animals do, so you’ll find them wherever they can feast. The reason an infestation calls for bed bug heat treatments in St. Louis is that they hide in cracks and crevices during the day. They’ll tuck themselves away in bed frames, box springs, dresser tables, headboards, mattresses, and even behind wallpaper or under clutter near the bed. They are usually within 8 feet of a bed, and only extreme heat can kill those hiding away from where traditional pesticide might be sprayed. They’re More of a Nuisance The good news they don’t really cause a ton of harm. Their bites can irritate you, and nobody wants to go to sleep with the fear that bugs will be sucking their blood out of them, but bed bugs do not carry disease. The CDC explains that it isn’t the bites that are so dangerous, it’s scratching them, as this can lead to skin infection. The bugs themselves are just a nuisance. Some people don’t even know they’ve been bitten by the bugs; others might experience an allergic reaction to the bite. Regardless, an infestation can shut your doors for good. People alert other potential customers that your facility has bed bugs and this can affect your business. Whether it’s through an online review, on their social pages or simply via word of mouth, many properties have been hit hard once it’s revealed their customers ended up with bed bugs. You cannot take any chances. You must hire a professional to mitigate any problem and train your staff to detect the bugs. Should you end up with these pesky critters, do not panic. Bed bug heat treatments in St. Louis will do the trick. Once the rooms’ temperatures have been elevated to the proper Fahrenheit, the bugs and their eggs will die off and you can open your doors again to guests.
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