Do Bed Bugs Have Wings? Can Bed Bugs Fly?

TL;DR Bed bugs do not have wings and are not capable of flight.

Top four questions asked here in Oklahoma.
What looks like a bed beg but can fly?
What kills bed bugs instantly?
Where do bed bugs hide on your body?
What can bed bugs be mistaken for?

Dealing with bed bug infestations can be challenging if you do not employ informed strategies. It would be best to search for bed bugs everywhere and exterminate them thoroughly. But not everyone knows what they look like. Perhaps you are wondering if bed bugs have wings, if they can fly, and how to identify them.

The bed bug population can grow due to increased travel and lack of awareness among people. As more individuals travel, especially internationally, the chances of bringing bed bugs into homes rise, contributing significantly to the expanding populations of these pests.

We can help you identify bed bugs and exterminate them from your home. We are one of the best Oklahoma City bed bug and other pest control experts you can find. We will help you deal with the bed bug problem and help you have full control of your home again.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They are notorious for their ability to spread quickly and their resilience, making them a significant challenge in pest control. Bed bugs can infest homes, hotels, and even public transportation, causing itchy bed bug bites and significant discomfort. Their elusive nature and rapid reproduction make them formidable foes for homeowners and pest control professionals alike.

Definition and Characteristics of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are typically 4-5 millimeters long, with a flat, oval-shaped body and six legs. Their reddish-brown color can become more pronounced after feeding, giving them a darker, blood-filled appearance. One of the more distinctive features of bed bugs is their unpleasant odor, often compared to the smell of spoiled berries. This smell can become more noticeable in larger infestations. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for identifying and distinguishing bed bugs from other pests.

Importance of Identifying Bed Bugs Correctly

Accurate identification of bed bugs is essential for effective pest control. Bed bugs are often mistaken for other insects, such as carpet beetles or booklice, leading to ineffective treatments and prolonged infestations. Misidentification can waste time and resources, as the wrong pest control methods are applied. By correctly identifying bed bugs, you can develop a targeted treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of a bed bug infestation, ultimately preventing further spread and ensuring a more successful eradication.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

You can see bed bugs with your naked eye, but spotting them can be difficult, depending on the state of their life cycle. Adult bed bugs are more accessible to spot. They have a rusty red or reddish brown color and are oval. They have six legs and are roughly the size of an apple seed. Bed bugs are usually flat but are bigger after having a blood meal.

The eggs are most difficult to see because they are very small, about 1 mm, and have a clear or white color. The egg of a bed bug develops to the adult stage following five stages. The first stage is the nymph, also referred to as larvae. Bed bugs are translucent or white-yellow and small at this stage, making them difficult to spot. As they go through the five stages, they shed their exoskeleton and grow from about 1.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

Bed bugs do not have functional wings that can make them fly. As such, they crawl or catch a ride with us humans and our belongings.

Can Bed Bugs Fly?

One of the most common questions about bed bugs is whether they can fly. The answer is no, bed bugs cannot fly. Despite their small size and mobility, bed bugs rely on other means to move from place to place.

Do Bed Bugs Have Wings Capable of Flying?

Bed bugs do not have functional wings and are, therefore, unable to fly. While they possess vestigial structures resembling wings, they are non-functional and do not enable flight. Instead, bed bugs move around by crawling and can travel considerable distances by hitchhiking on clothing, luggage, and furniture. This mode of travel allows them to spread quickly and infest new locations, making it crucial to be vigilant and take preventive measures to stop bed bugs from invading your space.

Signs Of Bed Bug Infestation

There are some telltale signs to look out for to know if you have a bed bug problem in your home. Bed bugs find their hosts by detecting carbon dioxide emissions emitted by sleeping humans, which signals them to become active and approach their targets. Look out for:

Bed Bug Bites

While you can see bed bugs in your home, you will most likely know you have an infestation case when you notice their bite marks on you.

Bed bugs do not typically live on human bodies or in hair. Instead, they live near their hosts in dark, secluded spaces like mattresses and furniture, where they can easily access them to feed.

Bed Bug Droppings

Fecal droppings from bed bugs will leave rusty-colored spots on your bedsheets and mattresses. You can also notice their droppings on your furniture, walls, books, etc.

Bed bugs spread from room to room, often traveling through means like clothing or luggage, seeking new food sources when their original host is no longer available.

Exoskeletons

If you see the exoskeletons from bed bugs shed around, you know you have an infestation case.

Musty Smell

If your home has a musty smell, it may be because of bed bugs.

How Much Does It Cost To Kill Bed Bugs?

The cost of exterminating bed bugs from your home depends on several factors, including the extent of the infestation. If you are dealing with a light infestation, the cost of extermination will be less than if you have a widespread infestation. The number of rooms needed to be treated will also determine the cost of the treatment.

A pest control service ensures family safety and effectively manages pest issues. During the initial visit, clients can expect a thorough inspection and a detailed plan for addressing the infestation.

The number of items in the room can also determine the treatment cost. If you have a lot of furniture to be treated, the cost will be higher than if you have just a few. The home’s construction will also impact the cost of bed bugs’ extermination there. Pest management professionals usually consider these factors when rating rooms. However, our charges are fair.

How Do I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

Although you can explore many DIY methods to get rid of bed bugs in your home, the results may not be satisfactory. One effective method is the use of bed bug traps, which can help mitigate their movement and reduce their populations, especially when placed strategically at the legs of furniture. We are one of the best Oklahoma bed bug exterminators you can hire with confidence. Our process includes:

Expert Inspection

We carry out an effective inspection of your home to know where the bed bugs are and the places in the house they have spread to. Bed bugs often hide in bed frames, along with other furniture, as these areas provide easy access to their human hosts during sleep. To get rid of all the bed bugs in your home, we need to ensure that we carefully inspect every nook and cranny of the house.

Preparation

After the inspection, you will need to prepare your home for a professional bed bug exterminator treatment. We will guide you on how well to prepare so that the treatment will be effective and you get the best results.

Expert Treatment

Our expert treatment is one of the best in Oklahoma City. We have effective heat treatment and other effective methods. We use only original and harmless materials. Our professionals are aptly trained and experienced.

To keep your home free of bed bugs, we advise regular cleaning, professional inspection, early detection, and professional extermination. To prevent bed bugs from infesting homes and furniture, we recommend regular inspections, vacuuming, using protective coverings for mattresses, and being cautious while traveling to avoid bringing bed bugs into the home. We also advise laundering/drying your clothes on high heat.

Why A Bed Bug Extermination Will Not Be 100 Percent Effective

Our bed bug extermination is 100 percent effective because we employ effective treatment methods. Bed bugs travel by hitchhiking on human belongings, such as luggage, clothing, and furniture, making it easy for them to spread unnoticed. If you hire an amateur, you might not get 100 percent satisfaction most likely because:

All Sources Of Bed Bug Were Not Treated

If the inspection is not thoroughly done, the amateur will not find all the areas where bed bugs have infested. If those hidden corners and hideouts are left out, the bed bugs will multiply and you will have an infestation case again in no distant time.

The Insecticides They Used Were Not Effective

When people treat bed bugs with ineffective insecticides, they do not kill all the bedbugs. It is only a matter of time before the problem resurfaces. If they use heat treatment, it is possible they did not invest sufficient contact time into the treatment.

All The Infested Items Were Not Treated

When infested items like bedding, clothes, mattresses, books, suitcases, furniture, and other materials are not properly treated or some were not treated at all, the bed bug problem will not go away. If these infested items are introduced into treated areas, the bed bugs will spread all over the house and it would be as bad as an untreated home

Why Hire Expert Bed Bug Exterminators?

To avoid ineffective treatment leading to a waste of time and resources, it is best to hire an expert pest control company to handle bed bug treatment. If you are still contemplating hiring an expert, here are some reasons why you should:

We Are Committed

We’ve been working hard for years to be the bed bug removal Oklahoma City trusts whenever an infestation is around! Our bed bug extermination system is effective. From the inspection to the treatment, we ensure we rid your home of every bed bug.

We Are Fast And Adjusted To Your Schedule

Bed bug treatment requires time and effort on both the homeowner’s and the professional’s parts. You will need time to prepare your home for the treatment. But this is not a problem. We respect your time and schedule the treatment to suit your schedule. You can choose a preferred date and time and we will adjust. Our treatment is fast and effective.

Call Us For Total Bed Bug Extermination

Instead of trying and failing, wasting money and time, let us handle your bed bug problems. We service all areas in Oklahoma City. We have an excellent customer service policy and await your reply.