Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on blood. They look like flattened apple seeds, are generally dark brown in color and are about the same size or slightly smaller. It’s common for people with infestations to find bedbug droppings in the furniture where they hide. Every year, the number of bedbug cases in Quebec increases, and we’re determined to help those who have to deal with these pests. That’s why we use the safest, most effective treatments available, so you don’t have to.

Our bedbug detection experts are always on the lookout for clues:

-Molted skins: bed bugs go through several life cycles and leave behind their molted skins.

-Fecal stains: bed bugs are rather impolite and leave fecal deposits that look like little black dots on a felt-tip pen.

-Bloodstains: bedbugs can be crushed and leave behind bloodstains, or the wounds they leave may bleed a little. Small bloodstains on sheets are a telltale sign.

-Odors: in the case of a heavy infestation, even a human nose can detect the unpleasant, slightly sweet smell of bed bugs. Bed bugs also emit a hormonal odor when disturbed.

-Insects: if you look in the right places, like folds, cracks and crevices, you can also find live insects. They’re small but visible to the naked eye.

Check your mattress, bed frame and baseboards. If you’ve traveled recently, check your suitcases and bags. Bed bugs are attracted to human warmth and the CO2 you give off, so it’s important to check any areas where you may spend a lot of time, such as your sofa.

Bed bugs can hide in cracks, corners and small spaces in your home – behind peeling wallpaper, in floors or even behind electrical switch plates.

The most common way to get rid of bed bugs yourself is to remove infested items, such as sheets or clothing, and treat them with heat. Placing infested items in the tumble dryer at high temperature can kill bed bugs lingering in the fabric. The temperature required to kill a bedbug is 49°C, and 51°C for eggs. Don’t forget that bedbugs can still hide in wallpaper, electrical outlets or carpets in your home – in objects you can’t put in the tumble dryer.

Un autre remède supposé populaire est la terre de diatomée, qui a été utilisée pour la première fois comme pesticide en 1960. Selon le Journal of Insect Science, la terre de diatomée peut tuer très lentement les punaises de lit dans votre maison, mais elle est extrêmement nocive pour l’homme en cas d’inhalation. Les effets à long terme de la poudre peuvent entraîner des dommages cliniques aux voies respiratoires. 

XTERMA ne peut que recommander l’utilisation de la chaleur ou de la vapeur pour traiter les punaises de lit à la maison, bien que l’efficacité de cette approche ne soit pas garantie.

Bedbug extermination costs can vary according to circumstances. Infestations can develop rapidly. So it’s best to act at the first sign of infestation. A unique treatment plan tailored to your needs and property specifications will determine the best course of action.

With Xterma, you can say goodbye to bed bugs for good. Contact us today for a free quote.

Another supposedly popular remedy is diatomaceous earth, which was first used as a pesticide in 1960. According to the Journal of Insect Science, diatomaceous earth can kill bedbugs in your home very slowly, but is extremely harmful to humans if inhaled. The long-term effects of the powder can lead to clinical damage to the respiratory tract.

XTERMA can only recommend the use of heat or steam to treat bedbugs in the home, although the effectiveness of this approach is not guaranteed.

First of all, where is the bite? Bed bugs are most likely to bite you on parts of your body that are exposed while you sleep, with arms, legs, neck and hands the most frequently targeted areas. However, stings are not limited to these areas. You may have a bite and your roommate may not +/- 30% of people have no reaction to bedbug bites.

What do the bites look and feel like? Bedbug bites are often very itchy. You may feel a burning sensation at the site of the bite, and the area may become red and swollen. It’s easy to mistake a sting for an allergic reaction. However, these bites can bleed – check your sheets for any small spots of blood that may have come from the bites.

Initial bedbug infestations often result in only one bite. Got more than one? Bites are often grouped by 3 or 4 as the infestation develops.

So you suspect an unwelcome guest in your bed – what can you do about it? It’s time to check where these insects may be hiding in your bed or elsewhere in your home.

In the meantime, before we come to inspect and treat your home, you can apply an anti-itch cream to the affected area. You can also apply a cold compress to the itchy areas.