What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs in Your Kentucky Home
Pest Expert: Michael Sizemore – 6/23/2025
Discovering bed bugs in your home can be unsettling, but with the right knowledge and approach, you can tackle the problem effectively. Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals and are easily picked up when vacationing or visiting places where infestations are present. They are notorious for their rapid reproduction and resilience, making them a pest that requires careful and strategic handling.
Identifying Bed Bugs
The first step in dealing with a potential bed bug infestation is correctly identifying the pests:
Appearance
Bed bugs are small, about the size of an apple seed, and are reddish-brown in color. They have flat, oval bodies before feeding and become elongated after a meal. They’re known as the perfect parasite!
Signs of Infestation
When performing a DIY bed bug inspection, look for rusty or reddish on bed sheets or mattresses, which are often the result of crushed bed bugs. You might also find tiny dark spots, which are bed bug excrement, and small, pale-yellow eggs or shed skins.
Understanding Bed Bug Life Cycle and Reproduction Rates
Bed bugs experience an incomplete metamorphosis, progressing through three primary stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Unlike butterflies, they skip the pupal stage. Instead, bed bugs start as eggs and hatch into nymphs, which are essentially “baby bed bugs” that look like smaller versions of adults but are not yet able to reproduce. Once a nymphal stage has hatched from the egg, a blood meal must be sought. This makes bed bugs intent on searching out a human host. Maybe you’re visiting the family on Holiday and unbeknownst to you, they have an infestation. Chances are, that means you will too!
Egg Stage
A female bed bug can lay between 200-500 eggs over her lifetime. These eggs typically hatch within a week if conditions are favorable.
Nymphal Stages
Nymphs pass through five stages before becoming adults. Each stage requires a blood meal, and they molt as they grow. This means they shed their exoskeleton five times before reaching maturity.
Adult Stage
Once they mature, bed bugs can reproduce rapidly, often turning a minor problem into a major infestation if left unchecked. It takes about five weeks for nymphs to mature into adults under optimal conditions.
Tips To Prevent and Manage Bed Bug Infestation
Early Detection
Regularly check your mattress and furniture for signs of bed bugs. Know where to look!
Cleanliness
Keep your living space clean and clutter-free to minimize hiding spots.
Professional Help
Hiring Four Seasons Pest Solutions if you suspect an infestation. Attempting DIY treatments could be dangerous!
Why You Should Trust Four Seasons When Dealing with Bed Bugs
Here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we offer expertise and tools that can effectively manage and eliminate bed bug infestations. Here is what we can do for you:
Thorough Inspections
One of our certified service specialists will conduct a comprehensive inspection to locate and assess the extent of the infestation.
Targeted Treatments
We will apply specialized treatments that are more effective than over-the-counter remedies and solutions.
Multiple Programs
We offer a variety of affordable bed bug solutions to meet your needs, including our Bed Bug Basic Program and the renowned ACT Bed Bug Program. Each option is designed to tackle your specific infestation while keeping your budget in mind.
Prevention Guidance
We are with you every step of the way, not just during treatments, but long after they are complete. Our comprehensive warranties ensure your peace of mind, protecting you and your family for years to come. We stand by our services and remain committed to your wellbeing long after we have successfully eliminated your bedbug infestations with our legendary “Lifetime Warranty”.
The Dangers of DIY Bed Bug Treatments
While DIY methods may seem appealing, they can often do more harm than good:
Ineffectiveness
Many DIY treatments with over-the-counter products are not potent enough to eliminate an infestation. While over-the-counter pesticides may reduce activity for a short period of time it will not effectively penetrate bed bug eggs, which will hatch later leading to a resurgence.
Resistance
Incorrect use of pesticides can lead to resistance, making the bed bugs harder to kill. Bed bugs have developed significant resistance to many over-the-counter insecticides due to the overuse and the misuse of these chemicals. This has led bed bugs to evolve and become tolerant to certain insecticides.
Health Risks
Misusing chemicals can pose health risks to you and your family. Over-the-counter insecticides are not designed to effectively control bed bugs, and misuse can lead to unnecessary pesticide exposure and potential health problems.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, follow these steps:
Confirm Identification
Ensure that the insects are indeed bed bugs.
Take a Breath
You are not alone! Panicking is normal, but do not resort to throwing away household items and tearing off trim and baseboards. You will not eliminate bed bugs this way; instead, you risk spreading them into other areas of the home. Not to mention, have you seen the price of furniture lately?
Contact Four Seasons Pest Solutions
Simply contact our office and speak to one of our expert staff regarding an inspection and one of our many treatment options.
We Will Take It From Here
Once you have a conversation with one of our highly trained professionals, we will walk you through the painless preparation and treatment. We will schedule a time of arrival that is convenient for you and your family for us to begin treatments. From the moment you pick up the phone to the friendly knock at your door, you will quickly understand why everyone is saying “It’s good To Have Four Seasons on Your Side”.
And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!
