FAQs

 Cimex Lectularius, or the common bedbug, has existed for thousands of years. Mentioned in ancient writings all the way back to the time of Aristotle, this small, flattened insect feeds on the blood of humans and animals. Bedbugs usually travel in small groups. When immature, bedbugs are a pale yellow color. Adult bedbugs are a reddish brown color and typically around a quarter of an inch long, or about the size of an apple seed.

The bedbug is most active at night, preferring to hide close to where its host sleeps. Its size and shape make it adept at hiding in crevices in bedding or furniture. They can hide behind electrical outlets, picture frames, door frames as well as a number of other areas.

Bedbugs are extremely hardy and can live up to 18 months without eating. Bedbugs can be found in vacant as well as occupied apartments.

Most bedbug bites are actually painless, but may later turn into large, itchy skin welts. These welts do not have a red spot in the center as do the bites from fleas.

 Bedbugs are a nuisance, but are not known to spread diseases to humans.

 In most cases, people carry bedbugs into their homes unknowingly in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, or clothing. Used furniture, textiles, and clothing could be infested with bedbugs unbeknownst to the seller or buyer. Bedbugs may also travel between apartments through electric conduit, small crevices or cracks in walls and floors.

 Wash clothing and inspect luggage immediately after returning from a trip. Inspect used items such as furniture, textiles or clothing for bedbugs before bringing it into your home. Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs or upholstered furniture into your home.

 You may notice itchy skin welts. You may also see the bedbugs themselves, small bloodstains from crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to find them because they hide in or near beds, other furniture, and in cracks.

 Having bedbugs doesn’t mean that a person or their home is dirty. These pests have been found in the most exclusive and prominent of places, such as five star hotels and luxury cruise ships. They don’t discriminate between one star and five star; bedbugs can be found everywhere.

Maintaining a clutter-free environment, however, will make it easier to eliminate bedbugs if they should be found in your apartment home.

 Contact the management office at once so that we may conduct a thorough inspection. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions for preparing for an inspection and treatment, if necessary.

 Never resell or donate infested furniture, textiles or clothing. If you throw infested furniture away, make it undesirable to others by cutting or poking holes in the upholstery or making it unusable. Paint or tape a sign to it that says “Infested with bedbugs”.