What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are a small type of insect, oval and brownish that feed on the blood of animals or humans usually during the night. They don’t have wings and can’t fly or jump, but their narrow body shape and ability to live for months without feeding make them hard to eliminate.

Bedbugs can easily hide in the seams and folds of mattresses, box springs and also in wood furniture. Other places where they can also take shelter are on luggage, bags and clothes.

Although they are not known to transmit disease or pose any serious medical risk, their bites can result in skin rashes and areas of redness.

Where do bed bugs come from?

Bed bugs are hitchhiking bugs. They can hitch a ride anywhere and at any time. They usually come to your facility from other infested areas carried by various ways (luggage, clothes, boxes, shoes, etc).

Although bed bugs can be found in the most diverse places, the places with a high amount of human traffic, like hotels, motels and emergency shelters, are the most affected.

How to identify bed bugs?

If you suspect a possible bed bug infestation, knowing what to look for is the first step to control the situation. There are many bugs similar to bed bugs, so an accurate identification is critical to act and treat quickly.

Bed bugs can hide anywhere and that is why identifying them is so hard. Hiding places can include mattress seams, behind pictures, box springs, curtains, bottom of headboards (close to where the mattress is), wood furniture among others.

An effective way to identify them is looking for physical bug signs. Bed bugs usually live close to their feeding area, so look for small rusty or reddish stains on sheets and pillow cases. Also inspect the piping, seams, tags and all folds of the mattress and box spring for live bugs and eggs.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

When the infestation is identified, the first step is to isolate the area to avoid the spread to other areas.

Cleaning the areas where bed bugs were found comes next. Here are some suggestions:

Wash and dry all linens in the highest temperature possible (if you cannot wash and dry the linens right away, keep them in plastic bags to avoid further contamination until you can do so).

Scrub the mattress and headboard seams with a brush to remove live bedbugs and eggs.
Vacuum and clean the bed and surrounding areas frequently (seal up the vacuum content in a plastic bag and throw it away, also thoroughly clean the vacuum).

Apply a bed bug spray directly on the affected area.

Utilize a bed bug mattress and box spring encasement to keep the bugs from entering or escaping.

In case of severe infestations, you may want to get rid of the mattress and/or furniture and acquire new ones. Hiring a bed bug extermination company to apply chemical treatments is another option. Check your mattress and bedding to see what types of products can be used in this case.

5 products to prevent the bed bug issue

Omland Hospitality offers a wide array of options to fight the bed bugs issue. Some of our most popular products are:

  • Bed bug killer spray: it eliminates bed bugs and other crawling/flying insects. Aerosol application with an extension tube. Features: water-based, fragrance free and does not stain cloth or painted surfaces.
  • Bed bug proof and waterproof mattress: perfect for all ages, this mattress offers anti-static, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, edge support, non-irritating features, combining comfort and temperature control. Besides, it is also self-deodorizing, self-breathable, self-ventilation, safely fire retardant, hypoallergenic fabric, permanent fluid barrier, durable & tear resistant, inherently bed bug resistant, made with high density foam. It is the ideal solution for institutions such as emergency shelters, healthcare centers, government, military or campuses.
  • Bed bug proof and waterproof mattress encasement: it keeps the bed bugs from entering in contact with the mattress or escaping from it. It features the Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi responsible for creating unpleasant smells and staining in textile and plastic products. Available in twin, double, queen and king sizes.
  • Bed bug proof and waterproof pillow: The bed bug, water and fire proof pillow is the perfect fit for health care and institutional use. Other features are: 100% hypo-allergenic, self-deodorizing and breathable.
  • Bed bug proof and waterproof pillow protector: Provide a clean and hygienic sleeping environment. The super soft terry texture and stretchy fabric add to the overall comfort of these protectors. Able to wash and dry these protectors at low temperatures. It offers waterproof, bed bug proof, dust mite proof and zipper closure features.
    And for further piece of mind, Omland Hospitality has a line of bed bug proof mattresses and metal furniture available. Find different options and sizes of mattresses, as well as different styles of platform beds, bunk beds and cabinets.

Contact us for more information!