Advice for Dealing With Bed Bugs

SAN JOSE — If you think you have a bed bug problem, your first inclination might be to wash your bedding, apply a store-bought pesticide and/or relocate your sleeping arrangements. However, we strongly recommend not doing any of these things until you have a pest control professional look at your home.

When it comes to bed bugs, DIY measures are unlikely to be successful. Bed bugs are tenacious and difficult to eradicate, so it’s best to leave this task to a professional. Even moving your sleeping arrangements to another part of your home can backfire. Bed bugs are very particular—they like to feed on the same person again and again. If you relocate, the bed bugs are likely to follow you, which will exacerbate the original problem.

Also, if you refrain from taking DIY measures, it’ll be easier for your pest control technician to assess the situation. By allowing the technician to go into the untouched environment and evaluate the nature and scope of the infestation, you’ll help them determine the best means of handling the problem.