How to Eliminate Bed Bugs in Apartment Buildings

Living in a neat and serene apartment, graced with features for comfort, is what we all cherish. Sharing our home with pests and bugs is certainly not part of the plan. However, they often invade human dwellings, posing a common concern worldwide. Waking up one fine morning only to spot a bed bug crawling beside you is nothing short of a Halloween nightmare! Some may even notice mysterious rashes all over the body, hinting at beg bug bites. Let us understand these unwelcomed guests and what lures them into our homes. Though a tad tricky, find out tips to catch the early signs of bed bugs and confirm their presence. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of bed bugs in apartment buildings and prevent pests from infesting your space. 

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, they are typically reddish-brown and wingless. Fully grown ones look the size of an apple seed. These nocturnal creatures (active at night) hide in crevices and cracks in the daytime and easily go unnoticed. Once they infest a living space, eliminating bed bugs can be challenging and tedious. It may last several weeks or months, depending on the level of infestation. Before you learn how to get rid of bugs in apartment buildings, it is worth knowing why. 

Why Should You Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Your Apartment?

As bed bugs are not known to spread diseases, you may ask, “Why should I get rid of bed bugs in my apartment building?” Though not a huge threat to life, bed bugs can adversely affect your health and comfort. They create the impression of a poorly maintained living area. Despite your efforts to beautify and tidy your apartment, the presence of bed bugs lowers its quality and reputation. Lack of early intervention can let these tiny creatures spread, spiking the cost of pest control. Here are the key reasons to consider:

1. Health risks: Bed bug bites can cause itching, rashes, allergic reactions and disturbances in sleep. Elimination of beg bugs not only avoids these problems but also adds to psychological comfort. It reduces stress and enhances the comfort of living.
2. Property impact: Bed bugs lower the value and reputation of the asset. While they do not damage the properties like termites, they can spike maintenance costs and efforts. For instance, stains from blood and crushed bugs can make permanent marks on mattresses.
3. Restriction of spread: It is hard to eliminate these pests once they infest. Hence, stopping them from spreading is crucial. Eradicating bed bugs early on avoids the infestation of other rooms and neighbourhoods.

What Causes Bed Bugs in Apartments? 

Dealing with bed bugs becomes easier if you know how they enter your living space. Travel, close proximity of apartments, and infested assets are the common causes. Bed bugs are hitchhikers; they move from one place to another, clinging to clothes, furniture and luggage.  Dirt and clutter do not cause bed bugs in apartment buildings. But they make cleaning and detection of bugs challenging. The different ways in which these tiny creatures sneak into your residence include:

1. Hitchhiking: Bed bugs often cling to belongings like clothes, baggage and shoes. They get picked up and carried along from infested areas, such as hotels and theatres.
2. Second-hand accessories: Reusing mattresses and other accessories can let bed bugs sneak in. Proper inspection of these items before bringing them home is important.
3. Neighbouring infestation: Bugs spread easily in densely packed apartments. They move to a non-infested apartment through the gaps in walls, utility lines and electric outlets.
4. Visitors: Infestation can begin when visitors and guests unknowingly carry bed bugs into your home.

Early Signs of Bed Bugs in Apartments

Before looking at how to get rid of bed bugs in apartment buildings, learning how to detect their presence is vital. Detecting and acting at the early signs helps prevent a full-blown infestation. The fewer bugs and clutter, the easier and more affordable pest control becomes. While cleaning the apartment, inspect the areas where these pests likely dwell. The common hideouts include furniture crevices, cushions, mattress seams, bed frames, wall hangings and electrical outlets. Look out for the following signs to determine if bed bugs are present in your apartment:

1. Bite marks on skin: You may notice lines or clusters of mysterious small, red and itchy rashes on your skin. Bed bug bites usually appear on the legs, neck and arms.
2. Stains on bedding: Bedsheets, mattresses and furniture may show rust-coloured or reddish-brown spots. They may be stains from crushed bugs or bug excrements.
3. Shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they may shed their outer skin, leaving a pale yellow translucent shell. These shed skins can indicate the presence of bed bugs in your apartment.
4. Live bugs: A clear sign of infestation is when you spot a live bed bug. Adult bugs are typically the size of an apple seed, flat and reddish-brown. You may find one crawling on the mattress or couch or hiding in furniture joints and cracks.
5. Tiny eggs: Another sign of bed bugs is the presence of tiny, white eggs. About a millimetre in size, they are usually found in crevices and corners of the furniture.
6. Stale odour: Heavily infested areas feature an unpleasant, musty odour from the pheromones that the bugs release.

How Fast Do Bed Bugs Spread in Apartments?

Once they infest a space, bed bugs spread across the apartment and its neighbourhood in no time. When an adjacent apartment is infested, it is likely that you will spot a bed bug in your apartment soon enough. Also, if you spot a live bug and do nothing about it today, you may find yourself dealing with a large community of bugs in a matter of days. These insects migrate through interconnected spaces and hitchhike on belongings. Bed bugs navigate and reproduce quickly, accelerating the infestation. Early signs going undetected or ignored also worsen the infestation. If you are wondering how bed bugs spread in apartments at an alarming rate, take a look at the following factors:

1. 1. Movement: Despite small size and no wings, bed bugs are fast-movers. They can crawl at a speed of 3-4 feet per minute. On a flat surface, with or without many obstacles, they can cover about 100 feet within an hour.
   2. Size: Their small size lets them easily get through tiny gaps, wall voids and utility lines. The advantage of size and crawling ability helps them squeeze through every crack, moving from room to room quicker than you expect.
   3. Reproductive rate: On average, a female bug lays 1 to 7 eggs daily, each hatching in 7 or 10 days. A female bug lays hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, causing an alarming growth of the bug community. A pregnant bug can potentially start the full-blown infestation of a whole new space.
   4. Behaviour: Bed bugs usually dwell in a location based on proximity to the host. They are less likely to stay put if it gets crowded with other bugs and migrate to find a new host. They latch on to luggage and other belongings and move between apartments.
   5. Density: The rate at which bed bugs spread is higher for densely packed living spaces. They spread quickly and easily across shared or tightly packed residential spaces.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Apartment Buildings

Dealing with bed bugs when you spot the early signs is better than figuring out how to cure bed bug bites later. Eliminating these adamant insects requires a methodical approach. While some DIY methods can help tackle mild infestations, professional help may be needed for severe ones. The effects last longer if you adopt measures to prevent future infestations. The below steps can help set your living space free of bed bugs and restore the comfort you crave:

1. Inspect and confirm: If you are thinking about how to get rid of bed bugs in apartment buildings, the first step is confirming the infestation. Look for live bugs, rusty stains, shed skins, and small black spots. Examine mattress seams, cushions and crevices. Do not skip inspecting electrical outlets, wall hangings and baseboards.
2. Clean and isolate: Vacuum the mattresses, cushions and furniture thoroughly. Seal and discard the vacuum bags immediately. Wash linens, clothing and bedding using hot water or dry high heat to destroy bed bugs and their eggs. Isolate the heat-treated or infested items in sealed plastic bags to prevent spreading.
3. DIY treatments: How do you kill bed bugs in an apartment​ in case of a mild infestation? Some DIY methods can come in handy. Applying food-grade diatomaceous earth on crevices and cracks kills bed bugs over time. Insecticides, bug sprays or powders should be used with caution. A steam cleaner at a high temperature can kill bugs hiding in mattress seams, crevices and cracks.
4. Notify your landlord: If an infestation is confirmed in your apartment, it is vital that you inform your property manager or landlord immediately. As a widespread infestation is likely in densely packed apartments, coordinated efforts are needed to curb the spread and eliminate the bugs effectively.
5. Professional help: If the infestation is severe or the DIY hacks do not work, it is best to opt for professional pest control. You may hire a licensed pest control service with expertise in exterminating the bugs. They may use methods such as fumigation, specialised insecticides and heat treatment.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Apartments

Infestation of bed bugs causes obvious discomfort and requires action on your part before the problem worsens. Given the stress, efforts and expenses involved, one may be rather keen to know how to prevent bed bugs in an apartment in the first place. Regular monitoring and protective measures are the key to preventing future infestations. They include:

1. Travel with care: Take good care of your clothing, bags, shoes and other belongings during and after travel. Place your properties in luggage racks instead of floors or beds in hotels. Look for signs of bugs; wash or heat-dry the properties soon after returning.
2. Inspect second-hand items: Thoroughly examine used mattresses, coats, furniture and other assets before bringing them in. Clean and heat-treat second-hand properties to ensure they are bug-free and devoid of other pests.
3. Use bed bug interceptors: You may install bed bug interceptors at the possible hideouts of these insects. Placing these traps under the bed and furniture legs lets you detect, catch and eliminate them before they build a massive colony.
4. Protective Covers: Use bug-proof mattresses and cushions. Keep away bed bugs by using encasements and covers for pillows and cushions.

How to Protect Your Apartment From Other Pests

While working on how to keep bugs out of apartment buildings, you can also adopt several measures to keep other pests and insects away. Cockroaches, rodents and flies can spread diseases, contaminate food and damage your property. Keeping your apartment safe from these pests is important for healthy and comfortable living. Here are some helpful tips to consider:

1. Maintain neatness: Clean the floors, countertops and hidden areas where debris can accumulate. Vacuum cushions, mattress seams and other upholstery regularly.
2. Proper storage and disposal: Store foods and edible items in sealed containers. Dispose of waste promptly to avoid attracting insects, rodents and other pests.
3. Seal entry points: Close the gaps, cracks and holes in walls, doors and windows to block insects and pests from entering.
4. Eliminate moisture: Most pests thrive in a moist or humid environment. So, keep the kitchen area, shelves, store rooms and bathrooms neat and dry. 
5. Inspect items: Examine second-hand furniture and other items for any signs of pests before bringing them home.

Conclusion

Dealing with bed bugs and other pests is essential for healthy and stress-free living. It requires regular monitoring, proactive care, prompt action and preventive measures. Whether spotting the early signs and using DIY methods or professional help, timely action keeps your space pest-free. With monitoring and care, you can be least worried about how to get rid of bed bugs in apartment buildings. Thoughtful design and quality finish can make your apartment less conducive to pests. Confident Group is committed to intuitively designing living spaces for your comfort, health and peace of mind.