Arrow Exterminators is Oklahoma’s #1 choice for Bed Bug extermination

Bed bugs are all over the news these days. In 1990, most American’s thought bed bugs were a myth. Very few Americans had ever experienced a bed bug bite and fewer had ever seen a bed bug—with the exception of world travelers. In the 90s, there were almost zero recorded bed bug infestations in the U.S. But now, that’s all changed. From the upscale hotels on the east coast to the dorms of your local college, the bed bugs are biting. The prevailing thought is that, after decades of effective bed bug control in America, bed bugs are coming with travelers from Asia and Eastern Europe.

And while you might not have been directly affected by bed bugs, you probably know someone who has. In 2015, national pest control chain Terminix compiled a list of the 15 cities in the United States with the worst bed bug infestations. You might think that the list only included big, international hubs like New York, Los Angeles and Miami, but it hit a little closer to home than that.

The list was full of major American cities all across the country, including Oklahoma City, which came in at number 13. While this may sound surprising to you, it unfortunately was not surprising to us, since we deal with bed bug infestations every day. However, with more than 60 years of Oklahoma pest control experience, we know what it takes to keep you tucked in, sleeping tight without the bed bugs biting. No other company in the area has the bed bug fighting experience or technology that we do at Arrow Exterminators. If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, call us today to speak with a bed bug expert about getting rid of those pesky pests once and for all.

Bed Bug Facts and Information

Bed bugs usually bite people at night as their victim sleeps. They feed by piercing the skin with an elongated beak through which they withdraw blood. Bed Bugs tend to bite us on any part of the body, whereas mosquito bites are usually on the feet and ankles. They will suck for up to 10 minutes before retreating from your skin to digest their new meal.

While they get their name from their most common hiding place, bed bugs can be found in places other than the bed. They can be found in carpeting, couches, chairs and other places as well. In an infected room, bed bugs will fan out to occupy pretty much any surface. They have even been found in wooden dressers and in electronics like microwaves and televisions in infested hotel rooms.

Besides the distinctive bite marks they leave behind, bed bugs leave other identifying signs. Conduct a thorough sweep of any room you think might be infected. Pay extra attention as you check the corners of mattresses and the undersides of couch and chair cushions, as these are favored bed bug hiding spots. Bed bugs leave behind distinctive stains which may be a rusty red color and dark spots about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. These dark spots may look like someone sprinkled pepper on your mattress. You might also be able to spot bed bug eggs or eggshells, which are tiny—also about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen—and a pale yellow color. These stains, skins and shells are easier to spot on light colored mattresses, sheets and furniture, but evidence of a bed bug infestation can be found on any color material by a trained professional.

Bed bugs will also leave behind skins they have shed, which are a brownish red color and crush easily between your fingers. Spotting a live bed bug is also a surefire sign that you are dealing with a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are a ruddy brown color with very small, oval shaped bodies. At their largest, they might be half the length of your fingernails. They may look similar to ticks or tiny cockroaches. They don’t fly, but they do scuttle around very quickly, so it is unusual to see one alive.

What is the best method for bed bug control?

Believe it or not, some people try to protect themselves by applying conventional insect repellents. Mosquito and tick repellents are ineffective as bed bug control, and you won’t fool them by sleeping with the lights on either.

Bed bugs are resistant to traditional insecticides used for pest control purposes. But for some reason, pest control companies try to use these chemical solutions even though they know they won’t work! What really works is a heat, and lots of it. Specifically, a particular heat treatment known as Thermal Remediation®. This state-of-the-art technology was created to be used by pest control companies specifically to eliminate those pesky bed bugs.

And we’re not talking about turning up your thermostat. Studies show that bed bugs, in all life style stages, can’t survive heat over 122°F. Call our bed bug control experts today. We’ll have you or your guests sleeping soundly in no time!

Bed Bug Prevention

We hate to say it, but nowhere is safe from bed bugs anymore. It’s not just homes and hotels that have experienced this little nuisance. Gyms, taxis, airplanes, libraries, tourist attractions…all these places and more have experienced bed bug infestations. You can’t avoid every place that might have a bed bug problem, but you can be vigilant about checking for bed bugs before they get the chance to bite you.

Whenever you travel, make sure to inspect all the furniture—especially the bed—before you settle in and unpack. Regardless of whether you’re staying in a hotel, with friends or with family, there is always a risk of bed bugs. Check the corners of the mattress and the undersides of couch and chair cushions for the signs of bed bugs we mentioned earlier before you get too comfortable. At home, make sure to change you bed linens often and wash the old sheets in hot water. Check for signs of bed bugs before you put fresh sheets on.

If you are travelling, you can also pack your belongings in plastic bags to keep these pests away. Pack your clothing inside Ziploc bags to keep them safe or place your entire suitcase inside a plastic garbage bag and tie up the ends when you’re not using the suitcase. When you get back home home, wash all your clothing in hot water—even the items you didn’t wear. The hot cycle will kill any bed bugs or bed bug eggs that were able to hide in your bags and come home with you. And before bringing your suitcase inside, thoroughly vacuum it out to get rid of any bed bugs or eggs hiding in the suitcase itself.

10 Tips for Preventing Bed Bugs

This video from the National Pest Management Association explains how big the bed bug problem really is. Join us on a fast-paced, educational trip through the history of bed bugs and the recent resurgence. This video will teach you how to be vigilant to minimize your risk of encountering bed bugs and how to effectively deal with this resilient pest if you have an infestation.

Bed Bug Basics

This video goes over more basic bed bug knowledge. Did you know an army of bed bugs can attack a person 500 times in one night? Or that bed bugs can track humans by following the carbon dioxide they exhale? They also have heat sensors on their antennae showing them the best place to bite. Sleep tight.

Why choose Arrow Exterminators?

Arrow Exterminators is the only company in Oklahoma using state of the art Thermal Remediation® technology which is proven to eradicate bed bugs. So if you’re ready to get serious about eliminating bed bugs from your home once and for all, call the bed bug eradication experts at Arrow Exterminators. You can always call our expert team with any questions about bed bugs, Thermal Remediation® and all your other pest control needs. We have a customer service oriented team ready and waiting to assist you any way they can.

Contact Arrow Exterminators and our bed bug control experts will get you tucked in tight. Whether it’s a private residence, dormitory, hotel or any other type of property, we can get rid of the bed bugs that are bothering you.

We offer pest control services to communities across Oklahoma including Bartlesville, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Grove, Kingfisher, Moore, Muskogee, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Tulsa, Vinita, Wagoner and Yukon. You can schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation on our website or give us a call to set up a service appointment. You can also reach out to us on social media for information about bed bugs, Thermal Remediation® and all our other extermination services.