Bed Bugs in St. Louis: Where They Come From, What They Eat, and How to Stop Them

Bed bugs are one of the most unsettling pests a homeowner can face. They don’t care if your home is spotless or cluttered — once they’re inside, they multiply quickly and can turn peaceful nights into sleepless, stressful battles. For St. Louis families, understanding how bed bugs invade, what they survive on, and how they affect your health is the first step toward protecting your home.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers. They don’t fly or jump, but they latch onto belongings and travel anywhere people go. Common ways St. Louis homeowners end up with bed bugs include:

• Travel: Luggage from hotels, motels, or Airbnb stays.

• Used furniture: Couches, chairs, or mattresses purchased secondhand.

• Public spaces: Bed bugs can cling to clothing from theaters, buses, and office buildings.

• Apartment living: They often spread from one unit to another through walls, electrical outlets, or hallways.

Once inside, bed bugs spread fast — hiding in mattresses, baseboards, furniture, and even behind picture frames.

What Do Bed Bugs Eat?

Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood — human or animal. They’re most active at night, crawling out of hiding to bite while you sleep.

Key feeding habits:

• They pierce the skin with two tubes: one to inject a numbing agent, the other to draw blood.

• A single feeding can last 3–10 minutes.

• They often bite in clusters or lines, leaving red, itchy welts.

Bed bugs don’t spread disease, but their feeding can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and, for many people, serious anxiety and stress.

How Bed Bugs Can Hurt You

While small in size, bed bugs cause big problems for St. Louis homeowners:

• Physical discomfort: Bites can itch intensely and may cause swelling.

• Sleep disruption: The stress of knowing they’re feeding at night leads to insomnia.

• Emotional toll: Infestations create embarrassment, anxiety, and even depression.

• Allergic reactions: Some people experience hives or severe skin irritation.

Left untreated, an infestation will only worsen — females can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime.

Why DIY Doesn’t Work

Over-the-counter sprays and foggers rarely solve the problem. In fact, they often make it worse by scattering the bugs deeper into walls, furniture, and new hiding places. Bed bugs are highly resistant to many common chemicals, and they require professional-grade treatments and methods to truly eliminate them.

Why Call STL Pest Control for Bed Bugs?

STL Pest Control has been protecting St. Louis families since 1989. Bed bugs are one of the toughest pests to eliminate, but our local, family-owned team knows exactly how to get the job done.

Here’s why homeowners trust us:

• Proven expertise: Over 2,600 Google 5-star reviews from satisfied St. Louis customers.

• Trusted leadership: Owner Rick Isenmann and his son Zach have both served on the board of the Greater St. Louis Pest Control Association, leading the industry with education and professionalism.

• Advanced treatments: We use targeted methods to eliminate bed bugs completely — not just reduce their numbers.

• Local commitment: We’re St. Louis born and raised, and proud to serve our community with honesty and fair pricing.

Take Back Your Home Today

Bed bugs won’t leave on their own — and the longer you wait, the worse the infestation becomes. Don’t let these pests rob you of your sleep and peace of mind.

👉 Call STL Pest Control today at (314) 833-6222 to schedule your bed bug inspection and treatment.

Serving St. Louis homeowners with integrity since 1989.