Bed bugs are everywhere that people sleep, and Des Moines has plenty of such places: downtown and East Village apartments, rentals around Drake University, hotels near the airport and the fairgrounds, and family homes throughout the metro. The Iowa State Fair each August and steady travel along Interstates 35 and 80 bring many visitors through, which means luggage, jackets and borrowed items move constantly. If you suspect bed bugs, call (844) 725-1661 for a referral to an independent licensed provider. PestMinistry is a referral service and does not treat homes.
Confirming the problem
Do not rely on bites alone, since many people do not react to them and other insects leave similar marks. Instead, check where bed bugs hide:
- Mattress piping, tags and corners.
- Box spring undersides and the frame joints.
- Behind headboards, outlet covers and loose wallpaper.
- Upholstered chairs and sofa seams near where people rest.
Look for live adults the size of an apple seed, pale shed skins, tiny white eggs and dark fecal spotting. A flashlight and an old credit card, run along the seams, help.
How they spread through Des Moines buildings
Iowa winters send everyone indoors, and heated buildings stay warm enough for bed bugs to remain active all year. In older multi-unit buildings with shared walls, pipes and hallways, bugs move through gaps around outlets and plumbing. Shared laundry rooms are another route. In single-family homes, a used mattress, a visitor's backpack or a college student's belongings after a semester break are common sources. Campus move-in and move-out periods, as well as holiday travel, tend to precede calls.
What a licensed provider will do
- Inspect bedrooms first, then adjoining rooms and, in apartments, possibly neighboring units.
- Explain the prep work: washing linens on hot, drying them on high, bagging clothing and clearing under-bed storage.
- Treat: through heat, targeted residual products, steam, or a combination, covering cracks, furniture and baseboards.
- Re-visit: two weeks or so later, to catch bugs that hatched after the first treatment.
Follow the prep instructions carefully; skipped steps are the number one reason first treatments fall short.
Do and don't while you wait
- Do keep sleeping in the same bed, since moving to new rooms can spread bugs.
- Do put the bed legs in interceptor cups and use zipped mattress covers.
- Don't haul infested furniture to the curb without wrapping it, or others may take it home.
- Don't use total-release foggers or alcohol sprays, which are ineffective and can be dangerous.
Avoiding a repeat
Once treated, stay vigilant for a few months. Check beds monthly, keep clutter down, vacuum regularly and inspect any secondhand item before it comes through your door. When staying away from home, hang bags up or keep them in the bathtub until you have checked the bed.
Bed bug FAQs for Des Moines residents
Are bed bugs a sign of poor hygiene?
No. They are attracted to people, not dirt, and appear in clean homes and upscale hotels equally.
Do bed bugs spread disease?
They are not known to spread disease, though bites can itch and scratching can lead to infection.
What if I rent in Des Moines?
Tell your landlord in writing right away. Responsibilities depend on your lease and Iowa landlord-tenant rules.
How soon can someone come?
Availability varies. Call (844) 725-1661 and ask about the next opening in the Des Moines area.