Pests We Treat Photo Album: Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in West Long Branch, NJ

Recently, I was sent to a home in West Long Branch, NJ, to resolve a bed bug infestation. This was the initial treatment. There will be a follow-up treatment in two weeks, and later, a final inspection. With bed bugs, it is critical to re-inspect and apply additional treatments as necessary because these blood-feeding external parasites will hide in the smallest cracks and crevices between their blood meals. These photos show some of the places that bed bugs will hide, from bed frames to the bottoms of upholstered furniture. Wooden bed frames, with their cracks and spaces between boards are more attractive to bed bugs than metal frames. Bed bugs stay near where their host sleeps or rests, so they are commonly found in and around mattresses and box springs as well as upholstered furniture like sofas and recliners. We find them hiding in picture frames on night stands near beds and inside electrical outlets. It seems that wherever you don’t expect these bugs to be, that’s where they are!

Bed bugs on towels.

This homeowner contacted Cowleys because she was being "eaten alive" at night and could not figure out why. She thought it may be mosquitoes getting into the home, but all of the window and door screens were in good shape and she did not hear any buzzing. Finally, she was frustrated enough to contact Cowleys.

Bed bugs on pillows.

Bed bugs stay near where their host sleeps or rests, so they are commonly found in and around mattresses and box springs as well as upholstered furniture like sofas and recliners

Bed bugs on metal frame.

These photos show some of the places that bed bugs will hide, from bed frames to the bottoms of upholstered furniture. Wooden bed frames, with their cracks and spaces between boards are more attractive to bed bugs than metal frames.

This was a full infestation.

One of the earliest and most common sign of a bed bug infestation is unexplained, mysterious bites found on your body. If you've gone to bed without any bites and wake up with itchy, irritated bites on exposed areas of your body, especially when you see a few bites all in a row, bed bugs may well be the culprit. Often, you won't see live bed bugs until the infestation is heavy. Until then, the signs are more subtle. Besides bites, finding pepper-like black spots (bed bug fecal deposits) on your pillows, sheets, blankets, and furniture is another common bed bug sign. Even if you just think you have bed bugs, don't wait for a positive confirmation. The safe thing to so is to call in a bed bug specialist. Bed bug populations increase quickly and waiting will just make the problem worse. If you've recently been on a trip or your children are returning from camp or college, they may have carried bed bugs with them. They are stealth hitchhikers that will hide in luggage and other personal items. Finally, you can't just leave your home to resolve an infestation, even for an extended period of time. Bed bugs can go for over a year without a feeding depending on temperature and humidity levels.

Bed bugs on furniture legs.

Full inspection top to bottom.

Bed bugs everywhere

We find them hiding in picture frames on night stands near beds and inside electrical outlets. It seems that wherever you don't expect these bugs to be, that's where they are!