Seattle Pest Control Blog

Yes. At least according to an experienced local pest control technician who specializes in bed bug treatment.

There has been a lot of hype about bed bugs in the media this past year. Bed bugs in movie theaters, bed bugs in Victoria’s Secret stores, bed bugs taking over the country. While it’s true that the number of bed bug infested residences has gone up in the U.S. there are still some questionable arguments on effectively treating them.

Bed bug sniffing dogs are all the rage lately and many pest control companies are advertising their bug smelling hounds. But according to one seasoned pest control technician I spoke with recently, Bed bug sniffing dogs are just an unnecessary gimmick. “What people need to realize,” says Rob MacGinnitie,” is that by the time a dog can detect bed bugs, the infestation is pretty extreme. And once a dog does detect bed bugs it needs to be verified by the technician with physical evidence.” This type of evidence is exactly what Rob looks for on his initial visit for a bed bug inspection. Tiny blood spots on the sheets or matress, and small cream colored eggs are signs of an infestation. “These dogs are unnecessary and just a gimmick,” he says.

For more information about bed bugs or to see what bed bug bites look like visit Eastside Exterminators Bed bugs information page.

1. Choose a bed bug free Hotel

You can go online and see if the hotel you want to stay at has had any bed bug complaints or history of bed bug activity. Two of the best sites for this is trip advisor and the bedbug registry.

2. Examine Your Mattress

Inspect the mattress by removing the sheets and carefully examining the seams. You’re not only looking for live bed bugs but also evidence of bedbugs which includes blood spots, fecal matter, and eggs. (See our bed bug pictures). You should also examine the headboard and bed frame as well as any nearby furniture.

3. Don’t store your luggage close to the bed

Bed bugs stay close to the location of their sleeping hosts; more specifically, the bed. Store your bags in the closet or even the bathroom. This will help prevent any unwanted stowaways when you travel home.

4. Keep laundry Separate

Store dirty laundry and any clothes you wear in your hotel room in plastic bags. If the clothes you wore did happen to come in contact with bed bugs, they will be separate from everything else, and they can be washed in hot water when you return.

5. Do the Laundry

When you return home, wash and dry all of your dirty laundry. If you can use, the hottest setting . Clean clothes can be run through the dryer on the hottest setting. One final precaution you can take when you return is treating your suitcase with a pesticide. We recommend JT Eaton bed bug luggage spray.

If you think you have bed bugs, this local Seattle pest control company provides free estimates, and effective bed bug treatments.