How to Detect and Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Your Home

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- With recent infestations across the country, many may be wondering how to know if bed bugs are in your home, and if so, how to get rid of them.

Bed bug inspections have become all too common for employees with Terminex.

"A year ago we were getting two to three calls a month. Now we are getting two or three calls a day," said Leo Williams, with Terminex. "What we are looking for is where the bed bugs like to hide."

Williams said that can essentially be anywhere but some of the key places include crevices, light sockets, behind picture frames, and of course in beds.

Ronnie Faulkner said the creepy crawlers began invading his apartment a little over a year ago. He said the only thing worse than the constant biting and sleepless nights has been the financial burden it has put on his family.

"We went through two complete sets of furniture, beds, couches, recliners even a TV," Faulker said.

At just one apartment complex in Southeast Oklahoma City, Williams said they found at least 10 units infested with bed bugs.

"These aren't dirty bugs. These aren't something you need to be embarrassed about. They are hitting everywhere and everybody. They don't need to worry about people thinking bad, just get them taken care of," William said. "There almost on the verge of getting it labeled a pandemic."

Williams said to get rid of bed bugs the typical bug sprays won't work. The only way to completely kill off the bug is having professionals like Terminex handle the problem.

According to Terminex, bed bugs at this point do not appear to carry any blood borne pathogens like mosquitoes or ticks.

More:

• Bedbugs Spreading at Alarming Rate
• Bedbugs Infiltrate Oklahoma Motels, Hotels
• Bedbugs resistant to traditional extermination