Bed Bug Control in Chicagoland, the Greater Rockford Region and Southern Wisconsin
Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating pests homeowners, renters, hotel guest and managers, and businesses can face. These tiny insects hide in mattresses, furniture, wall voids, and personal belongings, making them difficult to detect and eliminate without professional help.
At Rose Pest Solutions, our bed bug specialists provide comprehensive bed bug control in Chicagoland, the Greater Rockford region and Southern Wisconsin. Whether you’ve discovered bites, spotted live bed bugs, or found signs of an infestation, our team can identify the source and recommend an effective treatment plan to help eliminate bed bugs and prevent them from returning.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Adult bed bugs are approximately the size of an apple seed and are most active at night while people sleep. Unlike fleas, bed bugs cannot jump, and unlike mosquitoes, they do not fly. Instead, they crawl and hide in cracks, crevices, furniture, and bedding during the day.
Although bed bugs are considered a public health pest, they are not known to spread disease. However, their bites can cause itching, secondary infection, irritation, anxiety, and sleep disruption.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs typically:
- Measure about 1/4 inch long
- Have a flat, oval-shaped body (similar to an apple seed)
- Appear reddish-brown in color
- Become swollen and darker after feeding
- Move quickly across surfaces
- Do not fly or jump
Young bed bugs, called nymphs, are smaller and lighter in color. Bed bug eggs are tiny, white, and about the size of a pinhead.
Additional Imagery
Common Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
You may have bed bugs if you notice:
- Small blood stains on sheets or pillowcases
- Dark fecal spotting on mattresses or furniture
- Shed skins or eggshells
- Live bed bugs in mattress seams or furniture
- Unexplained bites that appear overnight
- A musty odor in severe infestations
Because bed bug bites can resemble bites from mosquitoes, fleas, or other insects, bites alone should not be used to confirm an infestation.
Is This Your Critter?
Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. We can handle the identification and get you a solution to your problem quickly.
Get a remedy now. Send a message!
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Bed bugs prefer to stay close to where people sleep or rest.
Common hiding places include:
- Mattress seams and box springs
- Bed frames and headboards
- Upholstered furniture
- Recliners and couches
- Behind wall hangings
- Electrical outlets
- Baseboards and trim
- Luggage and backpacks
Bed bugs can fit into extremely small cracks and crevices, making professional inspections important for locating all infestation areas.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Homes?
A bed bug infestation is not a sign of poor housekeeping. Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers and can be introduced into homes through:
- Travel and hotel stays
- Luggage
- Used furniture
- Moving boxes
- Shared spaces in apartment and condo buildings
- Shared laundry facilities
Once introduced, bed bugs can spread quickly throughout a home or multi-unit property.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bugs
Are Bed Bugs Common in Illinois and Wisconsin?
Yes. Bed bugs are found throughout the Midwest, including Chicago, Rockford, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. They can occur in homes, apartments, hotels, dormitories, healthcare facilities, and businesses.
What Do Bedbugs Eat?
The primary food source of bed bugs is human blood. However, they have also been known to feed on other warm-blooded animals if no humans are present. Bed bugs typically feed at night, while people are generally asleep, so they can eat undisturbed.
Can Bed Bugs Jump Like Fleas?
No. Unlike fleas, bed bugs cannot jump. They rely on crawling and hitchhiking on belongings to spread.
Can Bed Bugs Fly?
No. Bed bugs do not have functional wings and cannot fly. They move by crawling from one location to another.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?
According to the CDC and EPA, bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people. However, their bites can cause itching, irritation, secondary infection, and loss of sleep.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bug bites often appear as small, itchy red welts that may occur in clusters or lines. However, reactions vary significantly between individuals, and bites alone are not a reliable way to identify an infestation.
Can I Get Rid of Bed Bugs Myself?
DIY efforts may reduce activity but often fail to eliminate the entire infestation. Because bed bugs hide in difficult-to-reach areas and can be resistant to some insecticides, professional treatment is usually recommended.
How Quickly Do Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs reproduce rapidly and can spread throughout a structure if left untreated. Early intervention is the best way to prevent a larger infestation. A female bed bug that’s well-fed can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime which is about a year at most (in ideal conditions).
How Can I Prevent Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are an incredibly common pest across the United States. Finding a bed bug in your home isn’t a sign of uncleanliness. However, there are a few ways to prevent them from taking up residence in your bedroom. Some preventative measures you can take include:
- Inspect Second-Hand Items – If you’ve recently acquired furniture from a friend, relative, or thrift store, inspect it for signs of bed bugs.
- Regularly Wash and Heat-Dry Your Bedding – Drying on high heat kills all life stages of bed bugs.
- Using a Mattress Encasement – A mattress encasement can help prevent bed bug infestations, but it’s not a solution by itself.
- Maintain a Clutter-Free Space – Reduce the number of hiding spots for bed bugs by eliminating clutter.
- Be Cautious When Traveling – When checking into a hotel, inspect the mattress for signs of bed bugs.
- Monitor Your Sleeping Area – Regularly check your bed, bed frame, and surrounding area for signs of bed bugs.
- Call a Pest Control Company – Our skilled and experienced technicians can inspect your home to provide peace of mind.
Schedule Bed Bug Service Today
For more than 165 years, Rose Pest Solutions has helped homeowners and businesses solve pest problems throughout Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and surrounding communities.
When you choose Rose Pest Solutions, you receive:
- Local bed bug expertise
- Experienced pest professionals
- Customized treatment plans
- Ongoing support and monitoring
- Service from one of America’s oldest pest management companies
If you’ve seen signs of bed bugs, don’t wait for the infestation to grow. Rose Pest Solutions provides professional bed bug control in Chicagoland, the Greater Rockford region and Southern Wisconsin.
Contact our team today for a free quote and let us help you take back your home.
Not Your Insect?
Here are some of the other biting insects found in the Midwest.
“Rose did a very thorough job treating bed bugs in my condo.”
“Rose did a very thorough job treating bed bugs in my condo. Mike was always very prompt and courteous, and thorough. The follow-through was terrific, and I think I can safely say that I am now bed bug free! I highly recommend to them.”
Amy P. | Condo Owner
Orland Park, IL
You’ve got a pest problem. We’ve got your pest solution.
Whether you’ve got wasps, rodents, spiders (or you name it), we can assist with your pest problem. We can even provide same-day service. Drop us a line to schedule your pest control services today!
Safe For Your Family and Business
We’re licensed, trained, and certified by the Departments of Public Health and Agriculture, using EPA-regulated materials, always.
Attacking Infestations at the Root
We don’t come in spraying. We evaluate the root of your problem, and recommend and enact pre-emptive measures before any chemicals are used.
Assessments Before Any Contracts
Our Customer Care Center walks you through every service, every charge, and every solution before you agree to anything. Our commitment is to you.