How to Rate Bed Bug Infestations

Bed Bug Infestation Rating Guide

Know Your Stage Before It Gets Worse

Hi-Tech Pest Control • Michigan’s #1 Bed Bug Exterminator

Not sure how bad your bed bug infestation really is? Professional exterminators use a rating system based on bites, sightings, nests, and spread to determine how severe your infestation is — and how urgently you need treatment.

Here’s how to rate your infestation and know when to take immediate action.

🔢 Bed Bug Infestation Rating Stages

1. Bite Identification – The First Warning Sign

Positive bite identification is Level 1 — the very first sign you may have bed bugs.

  • How often are you getting bites?
  • How many people in the home are being bitten?
  • When did the bites start?

Professionals use this information to estimate how long the infestation has been present and whether bed bugs have likely spread to other rooms.

2. First Sighting – Entering the Visible Stage

Seeing a bed bug with the naked eye usually means 3–4 months of population growth.

  • Bed bugs have matured from nymphs to adults.
  • You should now be able to find them on furniture, mattress seams, and bed frames more easily.

This is when infestations start reaching unhealthy levels.

3. Nests, Nymphs & Eggs – Confirmed Infestation

When you find a nest, you’ve reached Level 3 of infestation:

  • Nymphs: tiny beige bed bugs with visible legs
  • Eggs: translucent, rice-shaped eggs clustered together
  • Adults: full-size bed bugs present near harborages

At this stage, professional treatment is critical to prevent rapid population explosion.

4. Blood Stains & Fecal Spots – The Threshold Level

Finding blood spots means bed bugs are actively feeding and defecating near their nests.

  • Fresh blood = reddish smears
  • Old blood/feces = black spots

This stage signals that the population is large enough to feed frequently and reproduce faster.

5. Whole-House Infestation – Visible Everywhere

Bed bugs are now in:

  • Beds, couches, recliners, and chairs
  • Nightstands, headboards, and even dining room chairs

If a professional can walk in and spot bed bugs immediately, you’ve had them for months and need immediate intervention to prevent further spread.

BUG EXTERMINATOR AND PEST CONTROL SERVICES IN LIVONIA MI

6. Structural Spread – The Unhealthy Stage

The most severe level:

  • Bed bugs visible near electrical outlets, floor & ceiling moldings, curtains
  • Friends and relatives risk taking bed bugs home (74% chance)
  • Spraying alcohol or DIY insecticides forces them to spread onto clothing, purses, visitors, and new locations

At this stage, you risk carrying bed bugs to hospitals, hotels, theaters, veterinarians, and workplaces.

✅ Why You Need Professional Help Now

Once you’ve reached Levels 3–6, you are past the point of DIY solutions. Professional extermination is the only way to eliminate the population completely. Hi-Tech Pest Control provides:

  • One-Treatment Eradication — Bite-free the first night
  • Furniture Salvage — Couches, beds, recliners cleaned & saved
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee — No excuses, no endless callbacks
  • Same-Day Service — Immediate relief across Detroit, Livonia, Troy, Warren, Sterling Heights, and Ann Arbor

📞 Call 248-569-8001 today for a same-day inspection and treatment — stop the bites tonight.

Q1: How do I know if bites are from bed bugs?

A: Bites usually appear in lines or clusters and itch. A doctor or dermatologist can confirm if they are insect bites.

Q2: When do I need professional treatment?

A: At the first sign of bites or a sighting — waiting allows the infestation to mature, spread to other rooms, and cost more to treat.

Q3: Do I have to throw out my furniture?

A: No! We treat, clean, and salvage furniture, saving you thousands of dollars.

Q4: Why do DIY sprays make it worse?

A: Most sprays just scatter bed bugs into walls and nearby rooms — making them harder to eliminate.

Q5: Can you help if another company already failed?

A: Yes — we specialize in jobs abandoned by others and guarantee a complete solution.

Contact Us

39111 6 Mile

Livonia, Michigan 48152

7 W Square Lake Rd

Bloomfield Twp, Michigan 48302

755 W Big Beaver Rd

Troy, Michigan 48084

Hi-Tech Pest Control BBB Business Review

Hours of Operation

8:30am to 10:00pm Monday Thru Sunday

Bed Bugs Are Back 2025 – News Update

Hi-Tech Pest Control • Michigan’s Bed Bug Specialists

You thought bed bugs were a 2020 problem, right? Wrong. 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest years ever for bed bug infestations in Detroit, Livonia, Troy, Warren, Sterling Heights, Bloomfield Twp, and Ann Arbor.

And no — you’re not imagining it. Bed bugs are back in a big way, and they’re practically laughing at weak treatments, poor hotel housekeeping, and DIY sprays that just chase them deeper into the walls.

Let’s break down why bed bugs are having their best year ever — and why Hi-Tech Pest Control is still their worst nightmare.

Reason #1: Warmer Temperatures

Michigan winters aren’t what they used to be. Warmer weather = bed bugs survive longer outdoors and stay active indoors year-round. Translation: they never really take a break anymore.

Reason #2: Poor Hotel Housekeeping

 

Hotel rooms are getting cleaned faster (translation: cut corners). Guests are checking out, beds barely stripped, and boom — you bring home a “free” souvenir in your suitcase.

Reason #3: Ineffective Treatments & Inexperienced Techs

With 94% of pest techs having less than 4 months of experience, many treatments fail. Customers get excuses (“it’s your clutter,” “someone brought them back”) instead of results.

Reason #4: Increased Travel

More people are on the move in 2025 — which means more bed bugs catching rides on luggage, clothing, and even pets.

Reason #5: Overpopulated Homes & Apartments

Shared housing, crowded apartments, and multi-family units are perfect for bed bug superhighways — they travel through walls, ceilings, and outlets into neighboring units.

Reason #6: Lack of Knowledge & Prevention

People still think bed bugs are caused by dirt or clutter. They wait too long, try DIY sprays, and let infestations mature before calling a professional.

Reason #7: Resistance to Common Products

Today’s bed bugs laugh at many over-the-counter sprays. The ban on DDT and old-school sulphur candles means fewer quick fixes — which is good for safety but bad if you’re looking for a “cheap and easy” solution.

The Bottom Line

Bed bugs are smarter, tougher, and busier than ever. But Hi-Tech Pest Control has 40+ years of experience, advanced equipment, and a proven one-application eradication program that ends infestations immediately — without excuses, furniture loss, or endless callbacks.

Q1: Are bed bugs actually getting worse in Michigan?

A: Yes — warmer temperatures, more travel, and resistant strains mean higher activity every year.

Q2: Do I have to throw away my furniture if I have bed bugs?

A: No! We treat, clean, and salvage all furniture so you don’t have to spend thousands replacing couches, beds, and recliners.

Q3: Why didn’t my last pest control company solve the problem?

A: Many companies use inexperienced technicians or ineffective products. We use proven methods with a 100% guarantee.

✅ What You Can Do

  • Inspect beds, couches, and recliners regularly for signs of activity.
  • Stop spraying DIY products — they scatter bed bugs, making things worse.
  • Call Hi-Tech Pest Control at the first sign of bites. The sooner we treat, the easier and cheaper it is to solve the problem.

📞 Call 248-569-8001 today — same-day service across Southeastern Michigan.

Q4: Can I get rid of bed bugs with store-bought sprays?

A: No. Most sprays just scatter them and make infestations worse. Professional treatment is the only reliable solution.

Q5: How fast can you get rid of them?

A: Our program eliminates bed bugs in one visit — you’ll be bite-free the same night.

Contact Us

39111 6 Mile

Livonia, Michigan 48152

7  W Square Lake Rd

Bloomfield Twp, Michigan 48302

755 W Big Beaver Rd. Ste 2020

Troy, Michigan 48084

Hi-Tech Pest Control BBB Business Review

Hours of Operation

8:30am to 10:00pm Monday Thru Sunday

“Electric Blankets & Bed Bugs: A Winter Love Story”

Michigan’s Unparalleled Bed Bug & Pest Control — Hi-Tech Pest Control

Cold weather may chase us indoors, but it doesn’t slow bed bugs—if anything, it helps them. Movie nights on the couch, WFH on the recliner, and that toasty electric blanket all add up to more feeding opportunities. Across Livonia, Bloomfield Twp, Troy, Warren, Detroit, Sterling Heights, and Ann Arbor, winter is prime time for bed bug flare-ups.

Electric Blankets: The Bed Bug Beacon

Electric blankets don’t “cause” bed bugs, but the extra warmth makes you easier to find. Add heavier bedding and layered pajamas, and you’ve created the coziest signal a hungry bed bug could ask for.

When Winter Makes Bed Bugs Happy

We spend more time on recliners, couches, dining chairs, and beds during the cold months. Bed bugs cue to body heat and CO₂, so longer sit-times = easier meals. Populations grow, and what starts in one room can spread fast.

Why Waiting Makes It Worse

Give an infestation 2–3 months and it matures—more bites, more eggs, more rooms. Bed bugs can reach another room in about a week, especially in connected living spaces.

What You Can Do Right Now (Fast Action Plan)

  • Launder & dry on high heat: Wash at ~140°F and dry 30–60 minutes.
  • Vacuum deliberately: Mattresses, couch seams, recliners, baseboards; discard vacuum bags outdoors.
  • Declutter: Fewer hiding places = better results.

Skip scatter tactics: Random sprays and foggers push bugs deeper into walls and outlets.

Do bed bugs get worse in the winter?

Yes. Heated homes keep them active, and we spend more time seated or in bed—so they feed more often and populations rise.

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

DIY sprays and foggers usually scatter bugs into walls and other rooms. Professional whole-home treatment is the fastest, most reliable solution.

Do you offer same-day service in my city?

Yes. We provide same-day, discreet service across Livonia, Bloomfield Twp, Troy, Warren, Detroit, Sterling Heights, and Ann Arbor.

Professional Eradication: The Only Predictable Solution

Over-the-counter products rarely solve bed bugs—and often make them spread. Hi-Tech Pest Control delivers one-application eradication, with all furniture treated, cleaned, and salvaged, so you can sleep bite-free the very first night.

📞 Call 248-569-8001 — Same-day, discreet service across Livonia, Bloomfield Twp, Troy, Warren, Detroit, Sterling Heights & Ann Arbor.
100% Eradication Guarantee.

Does my electric blanket attract bed bugs?

Not exactly, but it amplifies body heat, which is a key cue. If bed bugs are present, the added warmth helps them locate you faster.

Will you save my furniture?

Yes. We treat, clean, and salvage couches, recliners, and mattresses. No need to throw out expensive furniture.

bed bug free furniture

Contact Us Now!

39111 6 Mile

Livonia, Michigan 48152

7 W Square Lake Rd.

Bloomfield Twp, Michigan 48302

755 W Big Beaver Rd Ste 2020

Troy, Michigan 48084

Hi-Tech Pest Control BBB Business Review

Sleep bite-free tonight.
📞 248-569-8001Same-day service | Furniture salvage | 100% guaranteed

Hour of Operation

8:30am – 10:00pm Monday – Sunday

Why DIY Bed Bug Removal Fails — And Why You Need a Professional Michigan’s #1 Bed Bug Exterminator | Hi-Tech Pest Control

Why DIY Bed Bug Removal Fails — And Why You Need a Professional Michigan’s #1 Bed Bug Exterminator | Hi-Tech Pest Control

Livonia mi Bed Bug Removal

Think You Can Solve Bed Bugs Yourself? Think Again.

Bed bug infestations are some of the most misunderstood and mishandled pest problems homeowners face. Most people assume that if bed bugs are isolated to one room—or just a mattress—they can solve the problem themselves with sprays, essential oils, or mattress covers.

But here’s the truth:
Even minor infestations are rarely just one-room problems, and the longer you wait or rely on DIY methods, the harder—and more expensive—the infestation becomes to eliminate.

At Hi-Tech Pest Control, we’ve seen it all—and we’re here to explain why DIY bed bug control almost always fails, and how professional inspections and treatments are the only true solution.

Why Are Bed Bugs So Hard to Get Rid Of?

1. The First Stage Is Deceptive

When you first notice bed bugs—maybe a few bites or a bug sighting in one room—it’s natural to think:

“Okay, they’re just in this room.”

But that’s a costly assumption.
By the time you spot live bed bugs, they’ve already spread to other rooms, especially if:

  • You sleep in different rooms
  • You’ve moved laundry, pillows, or furniture
  • Guests or pets have moved through the house

The “first stage” is usually already past containment.

2. DIY Sprays and Foggers Make It Worse

Over-the-counter sprays may kill a few surface bugs—but most bed bugs hide:

  • Inside wall voids
  • Under carpet edges
  • In electrical outlets
  • In seams of furniture and mattresses

DIY products are repellent-based, which means they push bugs deeper into your home—and make professional treatment more difficult.

Foggers (“bug bombs”) are completely ineffective and dangerous indoors.

3. You Don’t See the Full Infestation

Bed bugs hide 95% of the time.
So when a homeowner sees a couple bugs, there could be hundreds or thousands lurking where you can’t look:

  • Behind baseboards
  • Inside furniture joints
  • Beneath loose wallpaper
  • Under mattress tags

Without professional inspection, you’re only treating symptoms—not the source.

4. Furniture Type and Layout Matter

Certain types of furniture provide more harborage areas for bed bugs:

  • Tufted couches and chairs
  • Platform beds and wooden frames
  • Recliners, foldouts, futons, and sectionals

That’s why the best pest control companies conduct a full inspection to determine:

  • How many beds and sofas are in the home
  • What types of furniture are present
  • How many humans are available as food sources

This information determines the scope, severity, and custom treatment plan. Hi-Tech Pest Control Operators can solve them all.

5. There Are Levels of Infestation

Most people don’t know there are levels of bed bug infestations:

Stage

Description

Beginning Stage

Hard to detect, low activity, high potential to spread. Usually misdiagnosed or ignored.

Unhealthy Stage

High population, multiple rooms involved, severe bite reactions, property damage, and sleep disruption.

By the time most homeowners realize they have an infestation, they’re in the unhealthy stage—and DIY won’t work.

Why Professionals Like Hi-Tech Pest Control Succeed

✔️ 40+ Years of Bed Bug Experience
✔️ One-Treatment Success Rate
✔️ Advanced Inspection Techniques
✔️ Void and Furniture Crack Treatments
✔️ Non-Repellent Dusts, Residuals & Void Applications
✔️ Guaranteed Eradication – 100%

We don’t just spray—we strategize, inspect, monitor, and apply proven science-based methods to eliminate bed bugs where they live and hide.

📞 Call Hi-Tech Pest Control – Get It Done Right the First Time

If you’re in Michigan and dealing with bed bugs in Ferndale, Livonia, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy, West Bloomfield, or nearby—you need Hi-Tech Pest Control on your side.

📞 (248) 569-8001
🌐 www.hi-techpestcontrol.com

Don’t waste time or money on DIY. We solve what others can’t—with one treatment, guaranteed.

FAQ – DIY Bed Bug Control vs. Professional Treatment

Q: I’ve only seen a couple bugs—can I treat it myself?
A: Bed bugs hide well. Seeing a few usually means many more are present. DIY may suppress them temporarily, but it rarely eliminates them.

Q: What’s the danger of doing it myself?
A: Repellent sprays can scatter bugs into walls and furniture, making the infestation worse and harder to treat later.

Q: Can I use foggers or bombs?
A: No. Bed bug foggers are ineffective and often dangerous indoors. Professionals never use them.

Q: Why does furniture type matter?
A: Some furniture has deep seams, hollow legs, or tight fabric folds where bed bugs can hide. These need specialized treatments.

Q: Do you inspect everything before treating?
A: Yes. We inspect all rooms, furniture, and sleeping areas to understand the infestation’s true scale and tailor the treatment plan.

Can I Remove Bed Bugs from My Clothes, Bedding, and Pillows Without Throwing Them Away?

                     Bed Bug Removal

Short answer: Yes—if done correctly.

At Hi-Tech Pest Control, one of the most common questions we hear from Michigan homeowners is:
“Do I have to throw away all my clothes, bedding, and pillows if I have bed bugs?”

Fortunately, the answer is no. You can safely remove bed bugs from fabric items with proper laundering techniques. However, you must follow the correct process to avoid spreading the infestation or allowing bed bugs to survive.

Let’s break it down.

🔥 The Right Way to Remove Bed Bugs from Clothes, Bed Linens, and Pillows

1. Wash Items at High Temperatures

  • Use your washer’s hottest water setting (at least 120°F or 49°C)

  • Bed bugs and their eggs die at sustained high heat

  • Add detergent and run a full wash cycle

2. High-Heat Drying Is Critical

  • After washing, immediately transfer items to the dryer on the highest heat setting

  • Dry for at least 30–60 minutes

  • This step is essential to kill any surviving bugs or eggs

💡 Do not rely on drying alone. Washing removes dirt and residue that could insulate bugs or eggs. Always wash first, then dry.


❌ What Not to Do:

  • Don’t air-dry infested fabrics

  • Don’t use cold or warm water

  • Don’t toss items into the dryer without washing first

  • Don’t assume low heat will kill eggs—it won’t


🧺 What Items Can Be Treated This Way?

  • Pajamas, socks, underwear

  • Bed sheets, pillowcases, comforters

  • Pillows (check tag for heat-safe instructions)

  • Towels, blankets, and mattress covers

  • Light clothing, jackets, soft toys

Pro Tip: Bag items in sealed plastic bags before transporting to laundry to avoid spreading bugs through the home.


🚫 When Should You Discard Items?

While most fabrics can be saved, some items may need to be thrown out:

  • Non-washable or dry-clean-only fabrics (unless heat-treated)

  • Items that have tears or are too fragile for hot washing

  • Pillows or cushions with holes where bugs may hide deep inside

When in doubt, consult a licensed pest control technician.


📍 Bed Bug Fabric Treatment – Summary

Fabric Type Action
Clothes Wash & dry on high heat
Bedding Wash & dry on high heat
Pillows Wash if allowed, dry on high
Dry-clean items Professional heat treatment
Fragile fabrics Discard or seek expert advice

🛑 Why DIY Laundry Isn’t Enough Without Treatment

Even if you successfully clean your linens, bed bugs hide in wall voids, baseboards, outlets, and furniture. Washing your clothing and bedding is just one part of the solution. For true bed bug eradication, you need:

✔️ Professional chemical & dust treatment
✔️ Crack & crevice applications
✔️ Void dusting
✔️ Monitoring & prevention guidance

Hi-Tech Pest Control offers one-treatment, 100% guaranteed bed bug eradication for homes, apartments, motels, and more.


🧠 FAQ – Bed Bugs and Clothing

Q: Can bed bugs survive a cold wash and air drying?
A: Yes. Cold water and air drying will not kill bed bugs or their eggs.

Q: How hot does the water need to be to kill bed bugs?
A: At least 120°F (49°C) or higher is required for full effectiveness.

Q: Will a dryer alone kill bed bugs?
A: Possibly, but not reliably. Always wash and dry. Drying without washing is not recommended.

Q: Do I need to throw out my clothes if I have bed bugs?
A: No. In most cases, clothing and bedding can be treated effectively with proper laundering.

Q: How do I transport infested laundry safely?
A: Seal it in trash bags or zippered plastic bags until you’re ready to wash. Do not carry loose laundry through the house.


📞 Need Help With a Bed Bug Infestation?

Hi-Tech Pest Control is Michigan’s #1 bed bug exterminator, trusted for safe, effective, and discreet treatments across Metro Detroit.

✅ One-treatment success
✅ Safe for children and pets
✅ Serving homes, apartments, hotels & more

📍 Serving: Ferndale, Troy, Livonia, Southfield, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield & surrounding cities

📲 Call now: (248) 569-8001
🌐 hi-techpestcontrol.com
🛏️ Don’t throw everything away—let us help you save it.


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