Month: March 2022

If you were asked what a bed bug is, you would probably have an overall idea and answer that they are pests that live in mattresses and bite people while they sleep. However, if you were asked what bed bugs look like, you might have a more difficult time answering that question. Bed bugs are invasive pests that can be difficult to identify in your Manhattan property, so knowing the signs of their presence is vital to get rid of infestations as quickly as possible. 

The problem with bed bugs is that they are difficult to notice given their small size. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t invisible to the human eye, but the adults are still only the size of an apple seed, and the eggs are only about as big as a pinhead. They usually hide during the day, so it can be difficult to see these bugs when the infestation is first getting started.

The other problem is that bed bugs are often mistaken for other parasitic pests such as ticks and fleas. But, you can identify bed bugs by their oval-shaped flat bodies (except after they’ve eaten when they are quite round) and their reddish-brown coloring. Their bodies also look ribbed or striped, and they have small heads.

BED BUG BITES: THE FIRST SIGN OF INFESTATIONS

Usually, the first indicator that you have bed bug problems is noticing bite marks on your body. These marks can appear anywhere that your skin is exposed during sleep. While the marks can look slightly different from person to person, they usually show up in zigzag patterns or in a line, and they are usually reddish and small.

Many people also wonder why bed bugs bite while we sleep, and the reason is that they can sense the carbon dioxide we give off when we breathe as well as our body heat. This actually allows them to detect our presence and also know when we are sleeping versus awake. The bed bugs will then emerge from where they’ve been hiding to get a blood meal. Unlike ticks and fleas that often bite pets, bed bugs usually prefer to feed on humans. They will sometimes bite pets if the infestation grows, but people are their main target.

A FEW MORE SIGNS OF BED BUGS

While bite marks are good indicators of bed bugs, they could be mistaken for other insect bites. The next step would be to check for other visual signs of the presence of bed bugs. These signs include:

• Staining that is usually brown around bedding, furniture, and even walls
• Bloodstains from the bites on blankets and sheets
• Discarded egg casings or bed bug skins around the building

It’s also essential to keep in mind that bed bugs don’t just invade sleeping areas. They do prefer to live near beds and often are found in the seams of mattresses, but they can also be found all over a home or apartment. They can live on other furniture and even outlet openings or holes in walls. So, when checking for signs of bed bugs, be sure to be thorough. 

WHAT IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BED BUGS?

Notice any of the signs on this list? There is a good chance you might have a bed bug infestation already. If this is the case, give the pest control professionals at Broadway Pest Services a call today. Bed bugs are some of the most invasive and difficult pests to completely eradicate, and the only sure way to remove them and keep them from coming back is with bed bug control services.

Learn about our bed bug removal options and get a quote by contacting us today.

No one likes finding cockroaches around their home. They are dirty, creepy, and all-around disturbing pests. Chances are if you are here today, you feel as strongly as we do that cockroaches do not belong anywhere near your property. Lucky for you, we have some secrets that should help you keep cockroaches out of your New York home.

COMMON COCKROACHES IN YOUR AREA

You probably don’t wonder, “What species of cockroach is that?” when confronted with one in your home, you probably just want it OUT. While being able to identify the type of cockroaches in your home might not make you feel any more comfortable with them being there, it might help you better understand what kind of threat you are up against, along with how to stop them. Here are the three most common cockroaches here in New York.

• The American Cockroach: More commonly found out in nature than inside homes, the American cockroach is the largest pest roach here in America. Reddish-brown in color and outlined with a yellowish figure eight, the American cockroach can most commonly be found around sewers and drains.
• The German Cockroach: By far the most common cockroach here in America, the German roach can be identified by its light brown to tan body and two dark, parallel stripes on its back, just beneath its head. When inside homes, German cockroaches tend to stick around warm and humid areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms.
• The Oriental Cockroach: Also referred to as the waterbug, the Oriental cockroach is another home invader here in New York. Identifiable by their shiny dark black bodies and oval shape, these pests can most commonly be found outdoors, but are known to get into homes during inclement weather, usually to avoid high temperatures. When inside, Oriental cockroaches tend to stick near dark, humid, and cool areas such as basements, crawlspaces, and walls voids.

PROBLEMS COCKROACHES CAUSE

It is easy to see why the cockroach, a creature that loves spending time around sewers, trash, and dead animals, would be a danger to you and your family. To date, cockroaches have been found to carry and transmit 33 different kinds of bacteria, 7 human pathogens, and 6 kinds of parasites. Combine this with their ability to trigger asthma attacks with their shed skin and you can see why so many people are looking for ways to keep cockroaches out of their homes.

FOUR WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOME COCKROACH-FREE

• Deep clean regularly. Do not neglect to get under large appliances and furniture. The cleaner your home is the less likely cockroaches will be to stick around if they do get inside.
• Limit cockroaches’ access to food. This can be done by storing leftover food inside sealed containers, picking up and cleaning out pet food bowls before going to bed at night, and making sure no food is left out on counters or tables for cockroaches to snack on.
• Address moisture issues. To do this, start by fixing leaks around your home. Next, make sure your gutters are in good working order. Finally, consider installing dehumidifiers around areas of your home that are particularly humid.
• Eliminate entry points. Use a caulking gun to seal up cracks in your home’s exterior foundation and to fill in gaps around door and window frames. In addition to this, make sure that all of your exterior doors are equipped with door sweeps and that all of your screens are rip and tear-free.

THE ULTIMATE COCKROACH PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME

If you want to take your cockroach prevention to the next level, we have your best solution here at Broadway Pest Services. Our team of highly trained professionals is ready with effective and long-lasting cockroach control methods designed to fit your needs. All you have to do is give us a call. We will take care of the rest.