A Bed Bug Free Holiday Season

It's officially November which means that it's officially the holiday season! As you already know, this is the time where travel becomes a lot more frequent and you may find yourself staying in hotels or even guest bedrooms as you visit friends and family for the holidays.

A good rule of thumb when settling in to wherever you are staying it that bed bugs can essentially hide anywhere. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not limited to just beds. Meaning, they can hide in couches, luggage, behind picture frames, in closets, in purses, or even coat racks. Wherever people are, bed bugs can hitch a ride and find a new victim to feed on, which makes hotels a perfect place for this. *Cue look of disgust*

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on blood. The Cimex Lectularius, which is the most common among bed bugs, prefers to feed on the blood of humans. (Kinda like vampires...gross!) You can always tell you have a bed bug problem from the tell tale signs:

1. Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed.
2. Dark spots (about this size: • ...)
3. Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny (about 1mm) and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger.
4. Live bed bugs.

If you are unfamiliar with what live bed bugs may look like, they are flat, reddish-brown, oval insects up to 4 to 5 mm long or the size of an apple seed. After a meal, they typically swell up and become more of a reddish color.

Bed bugs are tenacious little buggers (pun intended) because they are constantly moving from one victim to another and are pros at hiding. One way that we can eradicate a bed bug problem is using the thermal heat treating method to kill off the mature adults but also the eggs that they've laid, preventing them from spreading. 

Our advise to have a bed bug free holiday season?

1. Always do a thorough inspection of the bed by pulling back the sheets and observing the mattress seams. 
2. Do a brief inspection of the baseboards, outlets and picture frames remembering to inspect the curtains or drapes. 
3. After traveling, never place your luggage on your bed. Always unpack your luggage in the garage or laundry room and do laundry right away to avoid any bed bugs from spreading, preferably with the hottest water setting possible. 
4 . Call Black Knight for a free bed bug pest inspection so we can prevent an infestation from spreading. 

Happy Holidaying!

Heat Treatment

Thermal Heat

The Green Solution for Termite Control

Are you looking for a chemical-free way to treat termites? There is a branch through Black Knight Pest Control that can do just that, Thermal Heat.  When treating large areas Thermal Heat can ensure elimination of the entire colony. Unlike a Fumigation you when you choose a heat treatment you will not have to leave your home during the process. Not to mention becoming the obnoxious neighbor when having to inconvenience your surrounding neighbors with the tenting fumigation calls for, which in some areas my effect them as well. This one day process of Heat Treatment may be the best choice for you.

Commonly Treated Areas

• Entire homes
• Apartments
• Condos
• Commercial Properties
• Offices
• Industrial Complexes

Thermal Heat Advantages

• Economical
• No customer inconvenience
• No potential harm to employees
• No loss of time at work
• No need to leave your home for days at a time
• Versatile
• 100% EFFECTIVE!

Heat treatment being done at Europa Winery in Temecula Wine Country.

A Thermal Heat Treatment eliminates damaging termites and other wood-destroying insects WITHOUT the adversities of conventional chemical treatment. We know that you may have many questions regarding a Heat Treatment, feel free to call Black Knight Pest Control or our branch of Thermal Heat directly at 951.870.0198.

Heat Treatment being done in a home.

Bed Bug Awareness Week

Bed Bug Awareness WeekJune 6th - 11th

Summer marks the peak of bed bugs as summer travel begins. National Pest Management has created this week to help spread awareness around the world of the growing problem many encounter with bed bugs.

Bed Bug

• Majority of infestations occur in residential setting such as; apartments, condos and single family homes.
• A variety of places outside private residences are continuously being treated for bed bugs such as; nursing homes, offices, schools, dorm rooms and public transportation.
• Clutter contributes to the growing problem.

Don't be a victim to these pesky bed bugs, call Black Knight Pest Control and as about our Thermal Heat option.