Bed Bug Control Service in Henry County and Surrounding Areas

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are reddish-brown in color, about the size of an apple seed, and are notoriously difficult to eliminate due to their ability to hide and reproduce quickly. Bed bugs are small, nocturnal pests that feed on human blood and are experts at hiding. Spotting them early is important to avoid a full-blown infestation. Here's what to look for:

Common Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

• Small Reddish or Rust-Colored Stains on Sheets & Mattresses
  Crushed bed bugs leave stains on sheets, pillowcases, or mattresses.
• Tiny Dark Spots (Bed Bug Fecal Matter)
  Looks like ink spots or pepper flakes—this is their digested blood waste.
  Found on mattresses, seams, box springs, bed frames, and furniture joints.
• Bed Bug Shells / Shed Skins
  As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons (translucent, light brown shells).
  Look along mattress seams, behind headboards, or in crevices.
• Live Bed Bugs
  Small, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed.
  Hide in mattress seams, cracks in headboards, nightstands, baseboards, and even electrical outlets.
• Musty, Sweet Odor
  A large infestation may produce a musty, sweet odor caused by bed bug scent glands.
• Unexplained Bites (Often in a Line or Cluster)
  Small, red, itchy welts—usually on arms, legs, neck, or face.
  Bites often appear in a straight line or zig-zag pattern.
• Eggs and Eggshells
  Tiny (about 1mm), white, and oval-shaped—hard to spot without a flashlight or magnifier.
  Found in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, or furniture joints.

The Bed Bug Life Cycle:

Understanding the life cycle of bed bugs is essential to effective treatment.

1. Egg Stage:
   Bed bug eggs are white and about 1mm in size, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye.
   A single female can lay 200–500 eggs during her lifetime, depositing them in hidden crevices.
   Eggs hatch within 6–10 days.
2. Nymph Stage:
   After hatching, bed bugs go through five nymphal stages, shedding their exoskeleton after each stage.
   Nymphs are translucent and tiny, but they darken and grow after feeding.
   Nymphs require a blood meal to progress to the next stage, and it takes about 5–7 weeks for a nymph to reach adulthood under favorable conditions.
3. Adult Stage:
   Adult bed bugs are about 5–7mm in length, reddish-brown, and oval-shaped.
   They can live 4–6 months or longer, feeding every 5–10 days.
   Bed bugs can survive without feeding for extended periods, making them particularly resilient.
   Behavior and Habitat:
   Bed bugs are nocturnal, feeding on hosts while they sleep.
   They hide in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture, baseboards, and other cracks during the day.
   They can spread easily through luggage, clothing, and furniture, making them common in homes, hotels, and multi-family dwellings.

Jerry's Pest Management Bed Bug Treatment Process

At Jerry's Pest Management LLC, we understand the stress and frustration that come with a bed bug infestation. That’s why we provide a comprehensive and effective bed bug treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our process ensures thorough elimination and ongoing monitoring to keep your home or business bed bug-free.

1. Detailed Bed Bug Inspection
The first step in our bed bug treatment process is a meticulous inspection.
Initial Consultation: We begin by discussing your concerns and identifying potential signs of bed bug activity, such as bites, stains, or live bugs.
Visual Inspection: Our trained technicians inspect common infestation sites, including mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture, baseboards, and cracks or crevices.
Detection Tools: If needed, we utilize tools like monitors or traps to pinpoint activity, ensuring no area is overlooked.

2. Heat Treatment with Limited Chemical Use
Our treatment protocol emphasizes safety, efficiency, and effectiveness through the use of heat, supplemented by minimal chemical application for long-lasting results. Preparation: We guide you through preparing the space, including removing heat-sensitive items and ensuring the area is ready for treatment.
Heat Treatment:
Using specialized equipment, we raise the temperature of the infested area to 120–140°F. Heat penetrates every corner, eliminating bed bugs at all life stages—eggs, nymphs, and adults. The process is monitored closely to maintain consistent and effective temperatures.
Targeted Chemical Use:
After the heat treatment, we apply a minimal amount of residual insecticides in key areas for added protection. Chemicals are strategically applied in cracks, crevices, and along potential entry points to prevent reinfestation.

 3. Follow-Up Treatment
Bed bug treatments often require follow-up to ensure complete eradication.
Inspection After Treatment: We return within 7–10 days to assess the results and check for any signs of lingering activity.
Spot Treatments: If any areas of concern are identified, we conduct targeted spot treatments to address them.

4. Ongoing Monitoring and Prevention
Our commitment doesn’t stop at treatment. We offer ongoing monitoring and prevention services to keep your space bug-free.
Bed Bug Monitors: We install monitors in key areas to detect any new activity early.
Education: Our team provides tips and recommendations to prevent reinfestation, including how to avoid bringing bed bugs home from travel or used furniture.
Maintenance Visits: Optional periodic inspections ensure that your home or business remains protected.

5. Customer Education
At Jerry's Pest Management, we believe that informed customers are empowered customers. 

Identifying Signs of Bed Bugs: We will teach you how to recognize early signs, such as bites, rust-colored stains on bedding, and live bugs.

Protocols for Keeping Bed Bugs From Entering Your Home/Premises

Inspect and Isolate Items After Traveling
Check Luggage and Clothing: When returning from travel, inspect your luggage, clothing, and other items for signs of bed bugs (live bugs, eggs, or dark spots). Pay special attention to seams and folds.
Launder Clothes: Wash all clothing immediately in hot water and dry on high heat, as bed bugs cannot survive temperatures above 120°F.
Use Luggage Racks: When staying in hotels or other accommodations, keep your luggage off the floor and bed by using luggage racks.

Monitor High-Risk Areas
Inspect Secondhand Furniture: Avoid bringing used furniture, mattresses, or bedding into your home without thoroughly inspecting them for bed bugs. Bed bugs often hide in cracks, seams, and joints.
Regular Home Inspections: Regularly check your mattress, box springs, and bed frame for signs of bed bugs. Bed bugs tend to hide in small crevices near where people sleep.

Use Bed Bug Barriers
Mattress and Box Spring Encasements: Use bed bug-proof encasements on your mattress and box spring. These prevent bed bugs from hiding in these areas and make infestations easier to detect.
Install Bed Bug Interceptors: Place bed bug interceptors under the legs of your bed and furniture to catch bed bugs before they can climb onto the bed. These traps can help monitor for early signs of infestation.

Limit Clutter
Minimize Hiding Spots: Bed bugs thrive in cluttered environments, so keep your home tidy and reduce the number of potential hiding spots, especially around sleeping areas.

Prevent Bed Bugs from Entering
Seal Cracks and Crevices: Seal any cracks in walls, floors, and around electrical outlets where bed bugs could enter from neighboring apartments or areas.
Screen and Inspect New Items: Inspect new mattresses, furniture, and other items before bringing them into your home.

Be Cautious in Public Spaces
Avoid Placing Personal Items on Public Surfaces: When in public places such as movie theaters, public transportation, or offices, avoid placing bags, jackets, or other personal items directly on the floor or upholstered seats.
Check Before Sitting or Sleeping: In hotels or other accommodations, check the bed and furniture before settling in. Look for any signs of bed bugs, such as black spots or live bugs.

Professional Preventive Measures
Pest Control Inspections: If you live in a high-risk area or multi-unit housing, consider regular inspections by a pest control professional to catch potential problems early.
Heat Treatment: If bed bugs are found, professional heat treatments can effectively kill bed bugs without the use of chemicals.

Educate Yourself and Family
Recognize Signs of Infestation: Knowing what bed bugs, their eggs, and their droppings look like is critical for early detection.
Act Fast: If you suspect bed bugs, act immediately by isolating the infested items, laundering bedding and clothing, and consulting with a pest control professional.

Why Choose Jerry's Pest Management for Bed Bug Control?

• Over 40 years of trusted service in Henry County and surrounding areas.
• Safe, family-friendly treatment options.
• Experienced, professional technicians who care about your comfort and peace of mind.

Let Jerry's Pest Management help you reclaim your space. Call us today to schedule your bed bug inspection and treatment! Experience the difference that family dedication and decades of experience can make.

At Jerry's Pest Management, we’re here for you — because protecting your home and business is our family tradition.