My bedroom has been infested with biting mites

Question: How do I know if my bedroom has been infested with biting mites? If it has, how do get rid of them? I suspect by the marks that I have been getting, that they are living either in a pillow or in my mattress. If I replace either of these things, how can I be sure that they are gone?

Answer: You may have bed bugs. There is always the possibility of having these blood-feeding insects—and in some regions of the country the frequency of bed bugs has been increasing.

These small, reddish-brown insects hide during the day and emerge at night to take a blood meal from people sleeping (and they will also bite other mammals). The bed bug takes 3 to 15 minutes to feed, and then it may not feed again for 2-3 days. The bite may produce a hard swelling and is whitish in color; it usually is irritated and continues to bleed; however, some people do not develop initial reactions.

Bed bug control is very difficult and it is best left to the experts. Call your local Orkin Branch office to set up an inspection by an Orkin Certified Bed Bug Specialist. The Specialist will conduct a thorough inspection of your home and develop a comprehensive, customized treatment plan backed by science that best meets your needs.