Bed Bugs

Cimex lectularius

SIZE: 1/5 inch (5 mm)

COLOR: Reddish brown

DESCRIPTION: Bed bugs have made a huge comeback in the Toronto area after being absent for many years. A bed bug infestation is very complex and will require the help of a professional exterminator.

HABITAT: Bed bugs can be found in any environment that humans occupy, clean or dirty this pest has no preference.  Bed bugs are transported by man as we travel, bed bugs hitch a ride in furniture, luggage and possibly on our clothing. Once bed bugs are introduced into a building they will multiply quickly. Bed bugs in Toronto and the GTA are not easily eliminated with the use of pesticide due to high resistance to most insecticides. Bed bugs may also be present even if the building has been vacant for as long as one year.

LIFE CYCLE: Bed bugs are active at night and hide during the day. After mating, females lay white, oval eggs (1/16-inch long) into cracks and crevices. An individual bed bug can lay 200-250 eggs in her lifetime. The eggs hatch in about 10 days and the newly emerged bed bug nymphs seek a blood meal. Immature nymphs molt five times (i.e., they shed their outer exoskeleton in order to grow) before reaching adulthood. They need to feed at least once before each molt, although they could feed as often as once a day. There may be three or more generations per year. All ages are found in a reproducing population. Immature bed bugs may live for several months without feeding while adults may survive as long as one year without a meal. Under normal circumstances, adult bed bugs will live for about ten to eleven months feeding every 3 to 5 days.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Bed bugs are not known to spread any disease. Reactions to bed bug bites will vary from one person to another, with some individuals having no reaction whatsoever. Others range from a small, red, slightly raised, itchy spot to severe painful bruising.  Some people react immediately after a bed bug bite and others have a delayed reaction as long a 14 days following the bite. It is possible to go on vacation for a week and be bit while away and return to react to the bed bug bite once home again. Although not a health hazard many people find it difficult to get a good night sleep once they determine bed bugs are present.

PREPARATION: Launder all clothing and linens (clean & dirty) in hot water and a hot drier for a minimum of 20 minutes. Leave laundered clothing in sealed bags until infestation is eliminated.  If it is necessary to transport laundry to a Laundromat clothing should be sealed inside garbage bags for transport, the bags should be disposed of and new bags be used to transport clean laundry back home.

All bedding should be removed from beds to be laundered, mattresses and box spring may be left on the bed frame.  It will be necessary to remove the “ticking” fabric from the bottom of all box springs; M.D. Pest Control will do this during service. Eliminate all clutter, rooms should be barren other than furniture that requires treatment. Remove hanging objects such as pictures and posters from walls, picture frames should remain in the room leaning against the wall for treatment.

The use of dry steam will be utilized to heat cracks & crevices in walls and furniture. Any surfaces or furniture that may be damaged by heat will be treated using alternate methods. Any concerns should be brought to the attention of your service technician before treatment begins. Proper preparation will reduce service time and increase likelihood of effective treatment.

CONTROL: Bed bug treatments consist of a three-step process.

1. Infested areas are treated with high temperature dry steam. This steam is directed into cracks and crevices in walls and furniture including the mattress and box spring. Dry steam is effective at killing all stages of bed bugs on contact including the eggs. This treatment allows for most items of furniture to be treated instead of disposed of, saving $$ in replacement compensation.
   Wall baseboards are treated with diatomaceous earth (D.E.). This is a natural silica product that destroys bud bugs by abrasion, scratching their outer surface and causing them to dehydrate. D.E. dust has no expiry and properly applied will help control any future infestations.
2. A residual chemical treatment is also applied to potential breading and resting areas. This treatment is the least dependable method for control of bed bugs due to resistance in certain bed bug populations. Unfortunately it is the sole treatment performed by most “professional” pest control companies.

This method of treatment has been very successful due to the use of multiple control methods instead of relying on just one.

Proper preparation is critical for effective treatment, areas that are not properly prepared should not be treated, this is generally a waste of time and money.

Control of bed bug infestations will require a professional exterminator.
Don't take chances with just anyone call M.D. Pest Control today!
Detached homes are eligible for a 6 month guarantee if the entire house has been treated. Unfortunately apartments and partial treatments of homes are not eligible for guarantee due to the ease of re-introduction from adjoining apartments/rooms.


It will be required for all people and pets to remain out of treated areas for a minimum of 6 hours. M.D. Pest Control recommends that people with ashsma, heart conditions, women who are pregnant and children under the age of 2 years remain out of treated areas for 24 hours. Ask your exterminator for complete safety precautions required… at M.D. Pest Control safety is our top priority.