Bed Bug Treatment

What You Need to Know About Bed Bugs in NJ

• Bed bugs are most active while you sleep.
• Bed Bugs easily spread to different rooms and even vehicles as they hitch hike on personal items, clothes, and humans.
• Adult bed bugs are light brown to reddish brown, flattened, and oval shaped.
• Adults grow to 4-5mm in length and 1.5-3mm wide.
• A bed bug of any age or stage of life, that has just consumed a blood meal will appear to have a bright red translucent abdomen.
• Bed bugs can survive for over 6 months without a meal.
• Can be mistaken for other insects such as ticks, booklice, small cockroaches, or carpet beetles.
• Bed bugs can be mistaken for Scabies, found out the difference here.

How Did I get Bed Bugs?

Chances are, if you've encountered bed bugs, they hitchhiked their way into your life from somewhere or someone else. They could crawl onto clothing, bags, or other fabrics, from buses, pests in cars, even movie theatres. Dayscare and schools are an easy way they can hitchhike to your home or business.  These pesky pests can even come from furry friends that have been exposed to an infested area. Bed bugs are particularly common in high-traffic places like hotel rooms, movie theaters, airports, and any location where hundreds of people pass through. These environments present multiple opportunities for exposure, as each room or area can host a series of guests coming from diverse homes. Unfortunately, this means that every home or business in New Jersey is a potential breeding ground for these little critters. Staying vigilant in these areas is crucial to preventing a bed bug infestation from taking hold in your space.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in NJ

You could already know or suspect you have a bed bug infestation, but here are a few of the most common signs your local bed bug exterminators at Resolve Pest Management look for in NJ

Notice Signs of Bed Bugs in Your New Jersey Home or Business

Bed bugs are becoming increasingly widespread across the United States, and their resurgence has been particularly pronounced in New Jersey. Once nearly eradicated in the 1970s, these pests have made a comeback, fueled by frequent travel and high population density in urban areas. Unfortunately, this makes it challenging to control bed bug populations throughout the state. Studies indicate that bed bug complaints have risen dramatically across various settings, including homes, hotels, and even public facilities. The National Pest Management Association reported that 97% of pest control professionals have encountered bed bugs recently, with infestations reported in both low-income and high-end accommodations, illustrating that bed bugs do not discriminate based on socioeconomic status​ Pest Control Resources and ​Department of Entomology. You can find more detailed statistics and insights about the resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S. by visiting the National Pest Management Association's page on bed bug facts and statistics Pest Control Resources.  You can find them in all types of buildings, from low-income housing to four-star hotels in affluent areas like Newark and Trenton. Ironically, reports have even surfaced of bed bugs infesting the offices of the New Jersey state capitol building's health department! According to certified entomologist, bed bugs measure between 1mm and 7mm and are easily recognized by their flat, oval shape. They are reddish-brown, wingless, and primarily active at night, making them stealthy intruders in your home or business.

New Jersey bed bug control experts at Resolve Pest Management highlight that one of the most telling signs of an infestation is the presence of bite marks when you wake up in the morning. While some people may experience highly irritating reactions to bed bug bites—resulting in red welts and itchiness that can last for days—others may not react at all, allowing them to unknowingly become nightly victims.

In addition to bite marks, here are other signs that may indicate bed bugs are sharing your space:

• Resting bed bugs: These pests like to hide during the day in the folds of bedding, under mattresses, or in the corners of carpets.
• Shed exoskeletons: As bed bugs grow and molt, they leave behind their exoskeletons, which can be a telltale sign of an infestation.
• A musty odor: A distinctive musty smell can indicate a bed bug presence.
• Rusty streaks of blood: Small rusty streaks on sheets and bedding may come from bed bugs that have been crushed during the night.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your New Jersey home or business, it’s important to take action quickly. Consulting with pest control professionals can help you effectively identify and eliminate these unwelcome guests.

How Do I Prevent Bed Bugs?

Pest control experts know that bed bugs are opportunistic travelers, always on the lookout for a ride into your home or workplace. They often latch onto clothing or hide in luggage, especially when you return from a trip. But travel isn’t the only way bed bugs can find their way into your space. Here are expert exterminator tips to prevent bed bugs from settling in:

• Inspect Hotel Rooms Carefully – When staying at a hotel, examine the luggage rack for bed bugs. Check inside hollow legs, if any, and inspect the spots where straps attach to the frame.
• Examine Furniture Thoroughly Before Purchase – Especially with used items, always inspect for bed bugs. Look between cushions, along seams, and in joint areas like where the legs meet the seat.
• Use Protective Mattress and Box Spring Covers – Light-colored encasements make it easier to spot signs of bed bugs and protect your mattress.
• Vacuum Regularly and Dispose of Bags Immediately – Frequent vacuuming can catch stray bed bugs, but remember to dispose of the vacuum bag right away to prevent re-infestation.
• Check Clothing After Visiting High-Traffic Places – Bed bugs can hitch a ride from locations like movie theaters, arenas, and other busy venues. Always inspect clothing after these outings.

With these practical steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of a bed bug infestation, ensuring a safer, healthier space for everyone.

Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease or Pose a Risk For My New Jersey Home or Business?

While having bed bugs in your home or business can be unsettling, it's important to note that they do not transmit diseases or pose direct health risks to humans. However, the presence of bed bugs can lead to significant discomfort and anxiety, which is why addressing infestations promptly is crucial. In New Jersey, landlords and business owners have a legal obligation to maintain pest-free environments. According to the New Jersey Housing Authority, properties with infestations, including bed bugs, may be deemed unfit for habitation. This means that if tenants or customers report bed bugs, the property owner is required to take immediate action to resolve the issue per bed bug regulations and responsibilities in New Jersey, you can visit the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs .

What Are the Effects Of Bed bugs in My Home or Business?

While bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, they can still have a significant impact on your well-being, home, and business. Though you don’t need to worry about catching an illness from their bites, bed bugs can cause discomfort, stress, and sleepless nights. Or worse the loss of a client or sale.Their presence often leads to itching, skin irritation, and, in some cases, allergic reactions. Additionally, dealing with a bed bug infestation can be emotionally taxing, especially in a business setting where it may affect your reputation and customer trust.

Affect on your physical health

Some people are allergic to bed bug bites, which can trigger hives—red, itchy bumps that form when histamines are released in response to the bite. Even if you’re not allergic, bed bug bites can still cause skin reactions. Here are common ways bed bug bites affect the skin:

1. Clear-Centered Bumps – Small, raised bumps often clear in the center.
2. Dark-Centered, Swollen Bumps – Itchy bumps with darker centers surrounded by lighter, swollen areas.
3. Red Welts in Patterns – Bed bug bites often appear in zigzag or straight-line patterns.
4. Painful or Inflamed Papules – Raised, red papular eruptions that may be sore or irritated.

Scratching bed bug bites can worsen symptoms and lead to secondary issues such as redness, scarring, and infections.

How tell the difference: Bed bug bites from mosquito bites

Bed bug bites tend to appear in clusters or lines, while mosquito bites are often isolated, as mosquitoes typically bite once and fly away. Bed bugs, however, often bite multiple times along a small area, creating a pattern of bumps or marks.

Recognizing these signs can help you take swift action to treat bed bug bites and identify potential infestations quickly.

Bed bug infestations can affect social life

Along with other crawling insects, bed bugs can spread through clothing of visitors in your home or customers in your business.  If a visitor doesn't disclose a bed bug issue or has yet to find out, they can easily travel from their purse, luggage, or clothes and onto your personal items in your house, car, or business.

The affect on mental health

Because of their small size, bed bugs often feel like invisible predators lurking in your home. Just knowing they’re present can cause significant stress, as many people experience heightened anxiety from the constant worry of unseen bites or hidden nests. The search for these elusive insects can be mentally exhausting, especially when it’s difficult to know if they’ve been fully eradicated.This added stress can disrupt sleep, increase tension, and affect overall well-being. Taking steps to address a bed bug problem promptly can help bring peace of mind and restore a sense of control over your living space.

Bed bugs affect your sleep

Bed bugs prefer to bite while you're asleep. Since your body remains still, it’s easy for them to feed uninterrupted, avoiding swatting hands or itching fingernails. As they bite, bed bugs secrete an anesthetic that numbs the skin, so you may not feel the bite immediately. However, the itching sensation often comes afterward, disrupting your sleep.

According to PestWorld,the official website of the National Pest Management Association,  “The anesthetic in bed bug bites allows them to create a numbing effect as they feed".

Despite the temporary numbness, the aftermath of itching and irritation can make it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep. Addressing a bed bug infestation promptly can help you regain control of your sleep and overall comfort.

Request your free quote

Contact Resolve Pest Management today and let us be your trusted partner in eliminating bed bugs from your life. Call 732-527-5770!