Frequently Asked Questions
about Bed Bugs.

What do bed bugs look like? What are the signs of an infestation? Here, you’ll find everything you ever
wanted to know about these pests and how to get rid of them.

• Q: What are bed bugs?

  A: Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They're known as bed
  bugs because they like to nest in beds and feed on the blood of sleeping people. Although bed bugs have not
  been proven to transmit any disease, their bites can cause itchy welts on the skin.

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• Q: What do bed bugs look like?

  A: Adult bed bugs grow to 4–5mm long and 1.5–3mm wide (about the size of an apple seed), with a small head
  and larger oval-shaped body. Newly hatched bed bug nymphs are tiny (1mm) and cream colored. They are
  about the size of the letters on a penny.

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• Q: What are typical signs of bed bugs?

  A: Signs of bed bugs include bite symptoms, small brown spots (fecal spots) on bedding and small blood smears
  on sheets. Small translucent bed bug eggs may be found in tucks and folds of the mattress and box spring,
  behind headboards, along baseboards and any other site bed bugs are hiding.

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• Q: Where are bed bugs found?

  A: Bed bugs are mostly found where people like to rest or sleep. About 70% of any bed bug infestation is found
  associated with the bed, and furniture, pictures and baseboards next to the bed. Bed bugs hide in cracks,
  folds, tucks and voids in and around these areas. The second most common bed bug harborage is
  upholstered furniture, while a small percentage of any bed bug population may be scattered throughout a
  room.

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• Q: Why are bed bug reports on the rise?

  A: Once a common problem in homes and businesses, bed bugs largely disappeared from the U.S. when
  modern insecticides were introduced after WWII. Since the late 1990s, bed bugs have come back strongly and
  infestations have been found across the country, but the reasons for this resurgence are not clearly
  understood. Factors such as increased international travel and immigration have likely contributed to the rapid
  spread of infestations.

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• Q: How can a bed bug infestation be treated?

  A: Terminix^® employs a range of treatments for residential and commercial infestations, including a fast,
  non-toxic treatment called RapidFreeze^®. RapidFreeze uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) converted to a dry ice
  “snow” to freeze insects, including their eggs and nymphs, after contact. RapidFreeze is perfect for homes,
  hotels, apartments, food processing plants and organic industries. Terminix also uses other safe, effective
  treatments along with or in place of RapidFreeze to ensure that an infestation is ended as quickly and
  thoroughly as possible.

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• Q: What assurance is there that bed bug treatment will be effective?

  A: Terminix^® offers the following bed bug treatment guarantee:

  • Terminix will customize a treatment for your needs to quickly and safely eliminate bed bugs from the
    infested room/area.
  • If bed bugs are found in the treated room/area within the next 30 days, Terminix will perform further
    treatment at no additional cost.
  • If mattress covers are purchased with the service, this guarantee will be extended to 90 days.
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• Q: Is there a wrong way to treat for bed bugs?

  A: Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to control and eliminate. You should work with only recognized, reputable
  pest control professionals like Terminix^®, who have specific training and proven methods for dealing with bed
  bugs. It takes a comprehensive approach and targeted efforts based on experience to be successful against
  bed bugs. One product or technique, used alone, is not likely to be effective. You can trust Terminix to use the
  most up-to-date techniques and products to solve any bed bug problem.

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• Q: How can I avoid picking up bed bugs (and bringing them back with me)
  when I travel?

  A:
  • Check the mattress, headboard, frame and pictures for signs of bed bugs.
  • Keep your luggage on the luggage rack (after making sure it has no signs of bed bugs). Don’t store your
    luggage on the bed or floor.
  • Hang clothes that can be hung and avoid storing any clothes in a dresser.
  • Check travel reviews before visiting a hotel and be careful of those with multiple reports of bed bugs.
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