Bed bugs have been a menace in the US for quite some time now. These little uninvited guests infiltrate your home, bite and cause you sleepless nights. But unlike most pests, they can be a headache to get rid of. Alabama has experienced its fair share of pain from these little creatures. Luckily, there are solutions to bed bug infestations that you can explore. But before we get there, here are some quick facts about Alabama and the bed bug laws that apply:
Alabama Quick Stats Overview
Alabama, also known as the ‘Heart of Dixie’ or the ‘Cotton State,’ became the 22nd state in 1819. Alabama has a rectangular shape and is located in the south of the United States. It’s bordered by Mississippi to the west, by the Gulf of Mexico and Florida to the south, Georgia to the East and Tennessee to the north. Judging by the size, Alabama is the second largest state in the US. Its state city is Montgomery.
Alabama measures 52,419 square miles and is the 30th largest state by size. 3.2% of its area is covered in water, which ranks Alabama at 23rd by water mass.
Alabama’s population
According to the World Population Review, Alabama has a population of 4,908,621. It is currently the 24th largest state by population.
The state’s population grows at 0.26% every year, which makes it the 36th fastest-growing state.
How Many Counties are in Alabama?
Alabama has 67 counties. The oldest county is Washington, which was created on 4th June 1800, while the youngest is Houston, which was created on 9th February 1903.
The richest county is Shelby, and the poorest is Sumter.
How Many Cities are in Alabama?
Alabama has a whopping 169 cities spread across the 67 counties. Some of the largest cities are:
- Birmingham
- Montgomery
- Mobile
- Huntsville
- Tuscaloosa
- Hoover
- Dothan
- Auburn
- Decatur
- Madison
How Many Towns are in Alabama?
Alabama has 291 towns. Some of the cities include;
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Bear Creek
- Benton
- Belk
- Clayton
- Grimes
- Gurley
Top College Football Team in Alabama
The top college football teams include:
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Alabama A$M Bulldogs
- Alabama State Hornets
- Auburn Tigers
Alabama Bed Bug Laws
Unfortunately, there aren’t any specific bed bug laws in Alabama. But below are some that are used in this context.
- Landlords responsibility – when a landlord doesn’t address an infestation, they violate the Alabama code 35-9A-204 (a) (2). The law states that the landlord should conduct necessary repairs to maintain the premise’s inhabitable conditions.
- Tenant responsibility – there’s no specific law that highlights tenant bed bug responsibility. However, the Alabama Code 35-9A-407 states that a tenant can recover attorney fees and damages if the landlord willfully or negligently diminishes tenant services.
Bed Bug Services
Bed Bugs are a nuisance in Alabama. You could have a bed bug infestation in your home because you travel, or probably they hitched a ride on a guest you hosted. A bed bug infestation doesn’t mean that you are unhygienic. We should also point out that just because they are called bed bugs doesn’t mean that they live and hide in beds alone. On the contrary, bed bugs will hide in spaces that are close to their meal – in this case, humans.
Aside from this, other bed bug myths include:
- Bed bugs are nocturnal – this could not be further from the truth. Though bed bugs indeed come out to feed at night, it’s only because that’s when you are asleep and are immobile. If you changed your sleeping patterns and slept during the day, you’ll notice them emerging during the day for a blood meal.
- Changing rooms will send the bed bugs away – this tactic doesn’t work. If you stop sleeping in your bedroom for a couple of days, one of two things will happen. Either the bed bugs will wait it out, or they will eventually follow you to the other room. The only sure way of getting rid of a bed bug infestation is through treatment.
- Bed bugs can fly – bed bugs don’t have wings and, therefore, cannot fly. However, they can crawl over long distances. Entomologists say that they crawl one meter every minute.
- Bed bugs reproduce fast – in comparison to other insects, bed bugs reproduce slowly. A female adult lays an egg a day while a housefly lays 500 eggs in over three days. Moreover, a bed bug egg takes ten days to hatch and about six weeks for the nymph to morph into an adult. But even with the slow reproduction, the compounding effect of their numbers can cause an infestation within a year.
- Bed bugs travel on our bodies – bed bugs don’t stick to your skin or hair as ticks and lice do. They prefer to hitch a ride on your clothes.
- Bed bugs transmit diseases – a bed bug bite can cause irritations. But that’s about it. They do not transmit diseases because viruses and bacteria can’t live long in their system. But this does not mean that a bed bug infestation is not urgent – it is.
How to know you have a bedbug infestation problem
Now that you know the truth about bed bugs, below is how you can tell if you have a bed bug infestation.
You see a bed bug
A bed bug is often confused with other insects like mites and fleas. But they are different in that an adult bed bug has an oval, long and flat body and is as big as an apple seed. It has a red-brown color when it has not fed. If you see a bed bug, you should be on high alert; there might be more around.
Red itchy bites
A bed bug bite looks like a mosquito or a flea bite, but the difference is in the pattern. A mosquito bite is random, while bed bug bites are clustered. And unlike flea bites, you can find them on your arms and back depending on which part of the body is exposed when you sleep.
Bloodstains on your mattress and bedding
Bed bugs will come out to feed when you are asleep. From time to time, you’ll turn and squash the bed bug leaving blood stains on the beddings. If you wake up to this, take it as a sign of a bed bug infestation.
Poop stains and molting
Bed bugs poop where they hide. Also, as a nymph feeds and grows into an adult, it sheds its exoskeleton (molting). These are usually transparent and are in the shape of a bed bug. If you see these two, it’s a sign the bed bug infestation is growing.
Smell
Bed bugs have a distinct musty smell. However, you have to be really close to a bed bug to smell it. As such, by the time you smell the bed bugs, the infestation is out of hand.
Bed bug treatments
Once you determine you indeed have a bed bug infestation, it’s time to call in the pros to help rid your home of the bed bugs.
We offer a range of bed bug treatment services. We can split our services into two broad categories:
- Residential treatment – we deal with homes and residential spaces
- Commercial treatment – we deal with business spaces, including offices, schools, and hotels.
Bed Bug Treatment Process
Regardless of your space, our treatment follows the following steps:
Step 1: assessment
Once you have evidence of bed bug infestation in your home, and you want it handled, our bed bug exterminators will visit and inspect your home. The reason for this is to determine the extent of your infestation and to catch the hiding places. Bed bugs can be sneaky and, therefore, hard to find. And without treating the right hiding spots, the infestation will reoccur in a couple of months.
During the inspection, we examine the home and focus on the rugs, furniture, bed, and linens. We also conduct thorough checks on the crevices in the home. The inspection starts from the bedrooms before proceeding to other spaces in your home. We concentrate on the dark spaces.
Step 2: Implement
When the inspection is complete, and an assessment is done, our specialist will recommend the best treatment. The treatment recommended will be according to the severity of the bed bug infestation and what you prefer. But regardless of the option you choose, rest assured we will use the best tools in the industry to treat the infestation. The methods we employ will kill bed bugs at all stages of development, including eggs and nymphs.
Step 3: Monitor
Bed bugs are hard to kill. Because of this, we conduct follow-ups to ensure that the treatment was effective.
The Treatment Methods
We use these treatment methods alone or as a combination:
- Steam – bed bugs are resilient, but they too have a temperature limit. And steam is a great treatment method that penetrates the cracks and crevices where they hide. We use specialized tools to direct the steam and protect the furniture in your home.
- Heat remediation – through this treatment, we raise the temperatures to 120 °F. Before we start the heat treatment, we prepare your space to contain the heat for safety and effectiveness. Like with steam, we use specialized tools to increase the temperatures in the rooms until the bed bugs and eggs are dead.
- Fumigation – if you are dealing with a serious bed bug infestation, we use fumigation. This treatment uses chemicals that are effective against bed bugs. To ensure safety, a licensed fumigator handles the process.
- Conventional pest control methods – if the bed bug infestations aren’t large, we use mild but effective treatments against bed bugs. This includes eco-friendly products.
Why Should You Hire Us?
We align our schedule to yours
Whether you need commercial or residential bed bug treatment services, we always ensure that we work with your timetable. This ensures that you are not inconvenienced by the process and remain in control.
We use treatment methods depending on your situation
All infestations are different. As such, after assessment, we recommend specific treatment methods based on the extent of the infestation, the treatment you prefer, and your budget.
Experienced team
Bed bugs are resilient and therefore need an exterminator who knows their ways. Our staff is highly qualified and understands how to achieve effective results, even in dire situations. Moreover, they have picked up some tricks along the way that allow them to complete the treatment in record time.
High tech equipment
We always strive to remain ahead of the game. We invest in cutting edge technology that aids us in achieving quality results.
Free inspection
These inspections help us to determine the approach to use. You also get to learn about the situation and understand what needs to be done to prevent future infestations.
Dependable
Our treatment is guaranteed. With our experience, equipment, and precise approach to the treatment, you can depend on us for quality results. We shall not leave your side until your space is bed bug-free.
Quick response
The longer you wait, the- larger the bed bug infestation grows. Because of this, we see to it that we respond to you fast. As a result, you end up saving time and costs on treatment.
Alabama is experiencing increased bed bug cases, as are other states. Luckily for you, we are here to handle the infestation. Call us at 888-681-5908 today for a free inspection and we will be glad to assist you.