Bed bugs are a common problem in Florida. They’ve made their way into homes, hotels, and public spaces. These pests spread quickly and are a challenge to get rid of. For Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves, it’s crucial to know the signs of bed bugs, prevention while traveling, and treatment options. Here’s everything you need to know about bed bugs in Florida.
From the beaches of the Florida Keys and Naples up to Gainesville, Jacksonville, and west into the Panhandle of northern Florida, bed bugs have made their way across the Sunshine State. Tourist cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have higher instances of bed bugs due to the constant flow of travelers to their many hotels and must-see locales.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Florida’s warm, humid climate and mild winters don’t just attract snowbirds, they also create an ideal environment for bed bugs to thrive. The Sunshine State has the honor of having two types of bed bugs: the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical bed bug (Cimex hemipterus).
While these are two different species, their appearance is very similar, and both can be mistaken for other bugs that look like bed bugs in Florida.
Here’s what to know about what bed bugs look like in Florida:
- Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, wingless, and a reddish-brown color. They’re flat but become swollen after a blood meal.
- Nymphs, or immature bed bugs, resemble the adults but are smaller and a light tan or translucent color. They go through five stages of molting before reaching adulthood.
- Eggs of bed bugs are tiny, about the size of a pinhead, and are white. Bed bug eggs stick to surfaces, often in clusters.
How To Detect Bed Bugs In Florida
Bed bugs are elusive and hide in the smallest gaps. They prefer warm places close to a blood source, which is you. To check for bed bugs, inspect beds, couches, and chairs. They can also get in curtains, nightstands, clothes, and have even been found in movie theaters here in Florida.
When looking for bedbugs, use a flashlight to inspect the seams and crevices of your mattress and furniture. Scrape along hard-to-see spaces with a credit card or something similar to dislodge bed bugs or eggs. A magnifying glass will help you examine areas more closely for the tiny eggs and nymphs.
Keep an eye out for signs of bed bugs, including:
- Blood stains: These stains may appear as tiny red spots or smears on your sheets, upholstered furniture, and mattress.
- Dark spots: Bed bug excrement creates dark spots, often clustered along the seams of mattresses and chairs.
- Musty odor: Bed bugs release pheromones that can create a sweet, musty odor in a room.
- Shed skins: As nymphs grow, they molt and leave their exoskeletons behind.
- Live bed bugs: If you see actual bed bugs, then you know they’ve made it into your space.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In Florida
Bed bugs can get into the cleanest homes. They can latch onto your clothes, luggage, and second-hand items, or you can find bed bugs in your car. Even movie theaters and public transportation have transferred bed bugs, which is part of the reason they’re so hard to get rid of.
To get rid of bed bugs in Florida using natural or DIY options, you can try the following methods:
- Laundering: High heat kills bed bugs. Bed bugs and their eggs can’t survive temperatures over 125 degrees Fahrenheit, so washing bedding, clothes, and fabrics in hot water and drying on high heat will kill them.
- Vacuuming: Vacuum your home, including furniture, and pay close attention to the crevices and seams.Bed bugs can hide in your couch, mattress, bed frames, and in gaps along baseboards. After vacuuming, seal the contents in a plastic bag and dispose of it outside your home.
- Steam cleaning: Use steam to kill bed bugs in infested areas. Steam clean along the seams of your mattress, furniture, and other infested areas to kill the eggs as well as the bugs.
- Encase mattresses: Zippered bed bug-proof covers on your mattress and box spring will prevent bed bugs from entering and will trap live ones inside, effectively killing them.
- Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth to kill bed bugs along baseboards and behind furniture. Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that will damage bed bugs’ exoskeletons, causing them to dry out and die.
If these natural bed bug remedies fail to eliminate the infestation, or if you want the peace of mind that comes from having an ally in this fight, don’t hesitate to call in a professional bed bug service.
Florida Bed Bug Laws
Florida has specific laws and regulations regarding bed bug infestations in rental properties. Florida code 83.51 states that landlords are obligated to eliminate bed bugs unless otherwise stated in their lease.
If you experience problems with a landlord failing to meet Florida’s bed bug regulations, you can contact an attorney who specializes in bed bug laws. However, it’s your responsibility, before signing a lease, to inspect your unit for bed bugs and read your contract carefully to see whether it covers treatment for pests like bed bugs.
Here are some key points to know:
- Landlord’s responsibility: In Florida, landlords are responsible for maintaining rental properties in a habitable condition, which includes addressing bed bug infestations (unless the lease stipulates otherwise).
- Tenant’s responsibility: Tenants must promptly notify landlords of suspected bed bug infestations and cooperate with inspections and treatments.
- Written notice: If bed bugs are found, landlords must inform tenants in writing about the presence of bed bugs in the rental unit or building, including details about the rights and responsibilities of both parties during the treatment process.
- Entry for inspection and treatment: Landlords can enter rental units to inspect and treat bed bugs, but must give reasonable notice to the tenant, usually 24 hours in advance.
- Retaliation protection: Florida law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report bed bug infestations or exercise their right to break the lease if the bed bug infestation isn’t treated. Retaliation may include eviction or other adverse actions.
Bed Bugs in Florida Hotels
Bed bugs can be a problem in Florida hotels, especially in popular tourist locations. Sunshine, sandy beaches, and theme parks create a steady influx of tourists, making cities like Orlando, Miami, and Tampa hot spots for bed bug infestations. When staying at a hotel, it’s important to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you.
Check one or more of the bed bug registry sites before you travel to ensure bed bugs haven’t been reported recently at your intended location. If you notice any signs of bed bugs during your stay, contact the hotel management to report the issue. Here’s how to protect yourself while traveling:
- Inspect the room: Before unpacking, inspect the mattress, headboard, and furniture with a flashlight for any signs of bed bugs. Thoroughly check areas where bed bugs hide, like along seams, zippers, and crevices.
- Keep luggage elevated: Avoid placing your luggage on the bed or floor. Use a luggage rack or keep your bags in the bathroom, away from potential hiding spots.
- Store clothing in bags: Keep your clothes in sealed plastic bags or use a suitcase with a tight seal to prevent bed bugs from hiding in your belongings. Avoid unpacking clothes into the drawers.
- Inspect belongings before leaving: Before checking out, inspect your luggage and clothes to ensure you haven’t inadvertently picked up any bed bugs.
FAQ
Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?
No, bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to humans. While bed bug bites can cause itching, discomfort, and allergic reactions in some individuals, they are not considered carriers of disease-causing pathogens.
Are Bed Bugs Found Year-Round in Florida?
Yes, bed bugs are present year-round in Florida due to the warm and humid climate. In the absence of cold temperatures, bed bugs can thrive and reproduce all year long.
How Much Do Bed Bug Treatments Cost?
Professional bed bug treatment costs usually range from $917 to $1,917 for single-room infestations and can go up to $5,267 for a whole-house infestation. The cost varies based on the size of the space, type of treatment, and severity of the infestation.
When to Call a Pro
If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation in your Florida home or you’re unsure how to effectively eliminate the problem on your own, it is recommended to call a local professional bed bug exterminator. The sooner you treat bed bugs, the better, as they can spread quickly, increasing the cost of treatment. Plus who wants to go to the beach when you’re covered in bed bug bites?
Main Image Credits:
Background: felixmizioznikov / Canva Pro / License
Bed Bug: Dmitri Bezrukov / Canva Pro / License
