As bed bugs continue to spread like wildfire, infestations in apartments are becoming a common occurrence. Most people make costly mistakes when getting rid of these pesky critters from their apartments. Now more than ever, you must learn everything about bed bugs and how to eradicate them from your apartment.

Bed bugs are tiny pests that often take sanctuary in the beds of unsuspecting renters and homeowners. If you find them in your apartment, you shouldn’t panic because there are ways to get rid of them. This post explains everything you need to know to prevent or get rid of bed bugs in your apartment.

What Attracts Bed Bugs To Your Apartment?

There are several myths surrounding bed bug infestations, for example, the thought that filth attracts bed bugs to your apartment. Don’t be misled, bed bugs are likely to reside in the cleanest of places. Here are the things that attract bed bugs to your apartment:

Carbon dioxide

Bed bugs bite you at night because the concentration of carbon dioxide around you is high. When lying wrapped up in bed at night, your inactivity, clothing and bedding create ideal conditions for a carbon dioxide build up. The huge concentration of carbon dioxide acts as an indicator that a host is nearby.

Blood

Bed bugs feed on the blood of warm blooded creatures, more so, human beings. As apartment complexes house several people, its only natural that they are attracted to it. They will feed at night, lay eggs, go through different life stages, and multiply into full-blown infestations.

Before you know it, they will crawl into your apartment through cracks and crevices from adjacent apartments. You may also bring them into your space on your clothing and other items when you visit your neighbors. This is why it is important to know how to avoid getting bed bugs from friends, especially those living in apartment complexes.

Warmth

According to the British Pest Control Association, bed bugs thrive in warn temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C). If your apartment is constantly warm, it provides an ideal environment for bed bugs to feed and mate. While sleeping your body also generates warmth that attracts bed bugs to you.

Nobody likes a freezing apartment but, keeping rooms cool between 57°F to 64°F (14°C to 18°C) may reduce the chances of an infestation. Apart from warding off bed bugs, keeping your apartment cool has some sleep-related benefits. In a publication on the Huffington Post, Dr. Christopher notes that cool temperatures can help in achieving deep, restorative sleep.

How Bed Bugs Get Into Your Apartment?

Bed bugs are not peculiar pests in apartments across the USA. These pesky critters are hichhickers so, its accurate to say you can pick them from anywhere and bring them into your apartment. Whenever you visit a movie theater, a hotel, or any other public space you may bring bed bugs to your apartment.

It is also common for bed bugs to crawl from one apartment to the next. Controlling the spread of bed bugs infestations in apartment complexes is challenging; These critters can enter your unit through openings on walls such as light switches, electrical outlets, plumbing pipes, cracks, and tiny crevices.

Bed bugs are challenging to avoid because they are hard to notice and may be anywhere. To reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs into your apartment you need to:

Point to Note: The best way to be safe is to be vigilant and always watch out for signs of bed bugs.

How to Know If You Have Bed Bugs in Your Apartment?

Bed bugs are tiny brownish pests that are experts at hiding and prefer to feed at night. They often enter homes and apartments undetected. It is unlikely to find a living bed bug crawling around, but there are signs of a bed bug problem. Here are some of the symptoms of bed bugs you should know:

Bite marks on the skin

Bed bug statistics indicate that bite marks is the most commonly reported sign of an infestation. This is worrying because most people do not develop a reaction to bed bug bites. That said, if you notice red welts on your skin it is best to rule out bites from other common pests including:

  • Fleas
  • Ticks
  • Spiders
  • Carpet Beetles
  • Mites

Bed bug bites on your skin appear in a distinctive pattern on the upper part of your body. If you look closely at the red, itchy welts, you will notice a dark center and swelling around the bite area. Bites from bed bugs are also surrounded by blisters.

Bloodstains on sheets and pillowcases

Bedbugs use a narrow tube-like structure known as proboscis to suck blood from your body. During this blood-sucking process, some blood spills over into your beddings. You may also unknowingly squeeze a bed bug immediately after it feeds. Blood stains on your sheets and beddings are therefore, a symptom of a bed bug problem.

Rusty spots

Most people comprehend that bedbugs feed on blood but have limited information regarding their excrement. Bedbugs’ excrement stains are relatively small and look dot-shaped and have a rusty red-brown color. This appearance creates an illusion of a rusty spot in your bedding or hidden spots in your apartment.

Critical spots to inspect when checking for bed bugs

If you find rusty spots in your apartment it is safe to assume you have a bed bug problem. The concentration of these spots in your apartment will signify bedbugs hiding, breeding, and feeding spots.

Bed bug exoskeletons

Like most insects, bed bugs have exoskeletons outside their bodies, which they shade as they grow from one nymph stage to the next. Bed bug exoskeletons are not easily noticeable but with the help of an effective UV flashlight you can easily pick them out. If you find any of the exoskeletons in your apartment, it is time to find a remedy for your bed bug problem.

Musty odor

The sense of smell is often used to identify potential danger from questionable scents such as gas leaks, fire, and expired food. This sense of smell can also help you identify a bed bug problem since these creepy crawlers have a characteristic musty sweet odor.

Bedbugs can smell musty and sweet as ripe berries if you have a considerable infestation in your apartment. The smell is distinctive, and you can easily detect it using your sense of smell. However, the scent may be weak and hard to notice if the infestation is at its budding stage.

What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in Your Apartment?

Panicking upon discovery of bed bugs in your apartment is a recipe for disaster. As a tenant that has discovered bed bugs in your living space, you have to remain calm. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what you should do if you find bed bugs:

Notify your landlord or property manager

Panic is one of the mistakes people make when trying to get rid of bed bugs. Instead of panicking, the first thing you need to do is inform your landlord. Once you’ve notified your landlord, his responsibilities include:

  • Notifying the rest of the tenants about the impending bed bug problem.
  • Developing a strategy to prevent the spread of the infestation.
  • Work with you to find ways of treating the bed bug infestation.

Organize sleeping arrangements carefully

The first thing you will likely think of upon discovering an infestation is moving to another room or relocating to a friends apartment. This will only serve to spread the infestation. The wise thing to do while planning treatment is to stay in your bed to minimize the chances of spreading the infestation. Investing in a quality matteress casing may help prevent the bed bugs from biting you.

Start the bed bug treatment process

Most people opt for pesticides to treat bed bug infestations, but they are not as effective as they used to be. Studies indicate that bed bugs have developed resistance to pesticides through multiple mechanisms. More importantly, pesticides have seriously health hazards for you, your loved ones, and pets.

There are several safe pocket-friendly methods of dealing with a bed bug infestation. For instance, you should consider:

  • Washing all washable items in a drier with high heat setting
  • Vacuuming every nook and cranny in your apartment
  • Pouring hot water between bed boards

What is the Cheapest Bed Bug Treatment in an Apartment?

In 2022, you can be expected to pay $300 to $5000 for bed bug extermination services with average price being $1750. Typically the cost varies depending on the number of rooms you intend to treat. Instead of opting for bed bug extermination services, it would be wise to go for less-costly Do-it-Yourself treatment options.

The cheapest bed bug treatment options include heat treatment, steaming, and using essential oils to make Do-it-Yourself Bed bug Sprays. The appropriate treatment option depends on the size of the infestation, the size of your apartment, and several other factors. What better way to save your hard-earned money!

How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Your Apartment?

There are several ways of preventing bed bugs in your apartment. Here are some tips on how to keep yourself safe:

  • Ensure that the rooms are tidy and minimize clutter that offer potential hiding spots for bed bugs
  • Avoid mixing beddings because some of them may be contaminated
  • Make an habit of cleaning and vacuuming your apartment.
  • Wash beddings and other washable items in hot water frequently
  • Avoid placing furniture too close to the walls
  • Seal off cracks on the walls
  • Investing in bed bug monitoring tools is always a wise choice.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with bed bugs is not exciting for anyone living under the sun. They cause mental distress, stigma, and even Post Traumatic Disorder (PTSD) in severe cases. The thought of a small bug causing all these suffering is something you’ll not understand unless you’ve dealt with bed bugs.

Knowing how these pesky bugs get into your apartment, how to uncover them, treat them, and how to prevent them is crucial to your safety. It is safe to say the tips expressed in this post can save you from bed bugs. Please feel free to read our bed bug handling tips for more information on these vampiric bugs.

FAQs

What is the percentage of apartments with bed bugs in the USA?

Research indicates that 28% of apartments in the USA have bed bugs. However, rates of infestation differ from apartment to apartment.

Can bed bugs crawl from one apartment to another?

Bed bugs can easily crawl from one apartment to the next through cracks, crevices, and other openings on the walls separating buildings.

What is the cost of treating bed bugs in an apartment?

On average, it costs about $1,750 to exterminate bedbugs. However, the amount varies depending on the rate of infestation and the treatment method used

If I have a bed apartment, should my neighbors be treated too?

Bedbugs crawl through shared walls making it advisable to treat your neighbor’s apartments. If you do not share walls, treating your neighbor’s apartment is unnecessary

What is the landlord’s responsibility if I find bed bugs in my apartment?

The landlord’ responsibilities on issues of pest management vary from one stateto another depending on state regulations. It is wise to check your local laws for more clarity on this issue.

What should I do if the apartment next door has bed bugs?

Inspect your apartment thoroughly, particularly furniture and walls, and avoid contact with the neighbor

Are bed bug bombs effective in an apartment?

Bed bugs bombs are ineffective since the pests hide in crevices and voids impenetrable by aerosols.