About Bed Bugs in the East Valley
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood — usually human blood — while their host sleeps. They are reddish-brown, flat, and oval-shaped, about the size of an apple seed. Despite their name, they do not only live in beds. They hide in any crack or crevice near where people rest, including couches, recliners, and even car seats.
Bed bugs have nothing to do with cleanliness. They are hitchhikers that travel in luggage, clothing, used furniture, and personal items. The East Valley sees a steady flow of bed bug cases year-round, with a noticeable spike during summer months when travel increases and people unknowingly bring them home from hotels, resorts, and airports.
Where Bed Bugs Hide and How They Spread
Bed bugs are nocturnal and spend the day hidden in tight spaces close to their food source. Their favorite harborage areas include mattress seams, box spring folds, bed frame joints, headboard crevices, and nightstand interiors. As an infestation grows, they spread outward to baseboards, electrical outlet covers, picture frame backs, dresser drawers, and upholstered furniture.
They move from room to room through wall voids, electrical conduits, and plumbing chases. In multi-unit housing like apartments and condos, an infestation in one unit can quickly spread to adjacent units. A single female bed bug can lay up to five eggs per day, and a small introduction can become a full-blown infestation within weeks if left untreated.
When Are Bed Bugs Most Active in the East Valley?
Bed bugs are active year-round indoors since they live in climate-controlled environments. However, infestations spike during summer travel season when people bring them home from hotels, vacation rentals, and airports. Reports increase from June through August across the East Valley.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Store-bought sprays and bug bombs do not work on bed bugs. Many populations are resistant to common over-the-counter insecticides, and foggers can scatter bed bugs into walls and adjacent rooms, making the problem worse and harder to treat.
Professional bed bug treatment takes one of two approaches. Heat treatment raises the temperature of the affected area to a level that kills bed bugs and their eggs in a single session — no chemicals required. Chemical treatment uses targeted, professional-grade products applied directly to harborage areas, with follow-up visits spaced two weeks apart to catch any nymphs that hatch after the initial treatment. Both methods are safe, effective, and far more reliable than anything available over the counter. Your technician will recommend the best approach based on the severity and layout of the infestation.
