As the summer heats up, so does bed bug  activity. If you get unlucky with a bed bug infestation, these tiny bloodsuckers and their itchy bites can turn your peaceful nights into a nightmare.

If you’ve ever thought that bed bug infestations seem to worsen during the warmer months, you’d be right. Here, we’ll explore the reasons for this summer surge. Then we’ll explain why you should contact a professional pest control company at the first sign of these elusive pests.

What Time of Year Are Bed Bugs the Worst?

Although bed bugs can appear in your home at any time of year, the summer and early fall are seasons when bed bug problems tend to intensify. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why.

More Travel

Summer is synonymous with vacations, family visits, travel, and exploration. Unfortunately, the season is also prime time for bed bugs to hitch a ride. As people go on trips and stay in hotels, hostels, or rental accommodation, they unknowingly offer bed bugs ample opportunities to infest luggage, clothing, and personal belongings. These pesky hitchhikers can then make their way into your home, spreading rapidly.

Higher Temperatures

While mostly we think of bed bugs inside air-conditioned homes, they also live happily wherever we live, sleep, or rest. This includes summer camps, cabins, busses, movie theaters, etc. During the summer months we are more likely to visit these places and thus potentially bring home a nasty surprise.

Increased Human Activity

Summer brings a flurry of social activities and gatherings. Whether it’s hosting barbecues, attending festivals, or having guests over, when humans get more active, there are more opportunities for bed bugs to spread. These insects are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices, and upholstery, making it easy for them to hitch a ride from one location to another, unknowingly brought in by unsuspecting visitors.

Delayed Detection

Detecting a bed bug infestation can be challenging, as these pests are masters of concealment. During the warmer months, people spend more time outdoors and leave their homes unoccupied for longer periods. This can give bed bugs a chance to reproduce unnoticed and spread more extensively, making the infestation harder to control. During the summer people are also more likely to be taking allergy medications. Often the first sign homeowners find of an infestation is the swollen itchy bumps that develop after a few months of being exposed to bed bug saliva. Allergy medication can delay how long it takes to develop a reaction to the bite, thus allowing the infestation to grow larger and spread more.

Will My Bed Bugs Ever Go Away?

Yes. With proven bed bug treatments and some discipline and patience. But DIY methods may well make the problem worse.

At Scout Pest Control, we’ve been helping homeowners in North Alabama eliminate bed bugs for 10 years. During that time we’ve been called into plenty of homes where people have tried to handle bed bug infestations on their own before reaching out to the professionals.

We understand that feeling that you need to take action right away, but doing so can lead to further bed bug spread and make successful extermination more challenging. Bed bugs are extremely resilient and can develop resistance to certain bed bug control products, making consistent professional intervention necessary. As pest control experts, we have the knowledge, experience, and specialized treatments to effectively eliminate bed bugs from your home and give you long-term relief.

“Hiring  an experienced, responsible pest control professional can increase your chance of success in getting rid of bed bugs. If you hire an expert, be sure it’s a company with a good reputation …” says the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

Contact A North Alabama Bed Bug Control Company

That’s why it’s crucial to reach out to us at the first sign of an infestation.

Signs of a bed bug problem include the following:

Bite Marks

Bed bug bites often appear as small, red, itchy welts on the skin. They may be arranged in a line or cluster and are commonly found on areas exposed during sleep, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs.

Bed Bug Sightings

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. Look for live bugs, exoskeletons that have been shed, or tiny eggs on your mattress, bedding, furniture, or in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas.

Blood Stains

As bed bugs feed on human blood, they often leave behind small blood stains on sheets, pillowcases, or other bedding materials. These stains can appear as dark or rust-colored spots.

Fecal Stains

Bed bugs excrete dark-colored fecal spots that look like tiny black dots or ink stains. You may find these stains on your mattress, bedding, or nearby furniture.

Musty Odor

In severe infestations, bed bugs can emit a distinct musty odor. It’s often described as a sweet or sickly scent. If you notice an unusual odor in your bedroom or living spaces, it could be a sign of a significant bed bug presence.

If you notice any of these signs, take action right away. Contact us for a thorough free inspection.

Save Your Summer from Bed Bugs

Once we confirm the infestation, we can provide comprehensive treatments that target both adult bed bugs and their eggs. Our methods and bed bug control products are thorough and effective. Note that they do require some effort and collaboration from you as the homeowner as well as our technicians.

To help you prepare for the treatment, we’ll give you a prep list outlining the steps you need to take. You must follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible outcome and allow us to get rid of the infestation effectively.

Don’t let bed bugs spoil your summer fun or be the reason you have to cancel family visits. We’re here to help. Call us at 256-216-1088 for that free inspection. We’ll get out to see you quickly in Madison, Huntsville, or Athens.