Memphis welcomes millions of visitors who come for the music, the barbecue, the riverfront and events at the FedExForum and Liberty Bowl. Those visitors fill hotels around Beale Street and Downtown, and plenty of locals use short-term rentals and shared housing. Add the big hospital and university communities in the Medical District and around the University of Memphis, and you have a lot of people moving in and out of beds every week. Bed bugs benefit from all that movement.
PestMinistry is a referral service. We connect you with independent, licensed bed bug providers in our network. We do not perform treatments ourselves.
How to tell if it is bed bugs
Many things cause itchy welts, so look for physical evidence rather than relying on skin marks. Examine your mattress by pulling back the sheets and checking:
- Folds, tags and corners of the mattress and box spring.
- The slats and screw holes of a wooden bed frame.
- Gaps behind the headboard where it meets the wall.
- The seams of nearby upholstered chairs.
A bed bug looks like a flat, oval, reddish-brown insect about the size of an apple seed. Baby bugs are smaller and nearly colorless until they feed.
How they spread through Memphis
Hotels and motels are a well-known route, and the same is true of public transit, rideshares and shared laundry facilities. In apartment complexes in Midtown, East Memphis and Hickory Hill, bed bugs travel along pipes and wiring between units. Secondhand furniture is also a frequent source: used couches, mattresses and clothing from yard sales or curbside piles may harbor bugs. Memphis's warm climate means they do not die off outdoors in winter, but they survive indoors regardless of season.
Treatment options your provider may use
- Heat: Specialized heaters bring rooms to a temperature lethal for bed bugs in all stages.
- Steam: Targeted use on mattresses, couches and baseboards.
- Residual products: Applied to cracks, furniture frames and wall voids, usually in two visits.
- Dusts and encasements: Long-lasting protection inside wall outlets and on mattresses.
Whichever method your provider recommends, the preparation list matters. Wash and dry bedding and clothes on high heat, clear clutter near the bed, and do not relocate items to other rooms.
Traveler's checklist
- Keep suitcases on a luggage rack, away from the bed.
- Pull back the sheets at the headboard and look at the seams.
- After you return, wash and dry clothes right away.
- Do not bring home mattresses or couches from the curb.
Events that change the picture in Memphis
Memphis in May, big concerts and college football weekends fill hotels and rentals with visitors, and cleaning crews have little time between guests. If you host out-of-town family or rent a room, a quick check of mattress seams after each stay is cheap insurance. Landlords and short-term hosts who act at the first report, rather than waiting for a second complaint, usually keep a small problem from spreading to other units.
Speak with a provider
If you have found signs, call (844) 725-1661. We will connect you with a licensed provider in our network who serves Memphis. Ask them about their process and follow-up plan before you commit.
Memphis bed bug FAQs
Do bed bugs come from poor hygiene?
No. They are hitchhikers and turn up in homes and hotels of every kind.
Can I treat bed bugs with a store-bought spray?
Over-the-counter products often fail because bed bugs hide deep and some populations resist common ingredients. Professional treatment is generally more reliable.
Should I tell my landlord?
Yes, and do it in writing. Neighboring units may need inspection too.
Will I need to throw away furniture?
Usually not. Most furniture can be treated, and discarding it risks spreading bugs through the building.