St. Petersburg welcomes a steady stream of visitors: beach-goers heading to St. Pete Beach and Fort De Soto, baseball fans, cruise travelers passing through the Tampa Bay area and winter residents who arrive every season. Bed bugs hitchhike in suitcases and used furniture, so a city with this much movement sees more than its share of them. They are not a sign of a dirty home, and they can turn up in a luxury condo as easily as in a budget motel.
Recognizing a bed bug problem early
Bed bugs are flat, rust-colored insects about the size of an apple seed. They feed at night, then retreat to hiding spots close to the bed. Clues include:
- Small dark spots on sheets and mattress seams, which are digested blood.
- Itchy welts in lines or clusters, usually on exposed skin such as arms and shoulders.
- Tiny pale eggs or shed skins along piping, headboards and baseboards.
- A faint sweet, musty odor in heavy infestations.
Reactions to bites vary a great deal, and some people do not react at all, so skin marks alone cannot confirm anything.
Why the area is exposed
Short-term rentals, vacation condos along Beach Drive and Gulf Boulevard, hotels downtown and older apartment buildings with shared walls all create opportunities. Winter seasonal residents may bring bags from northern states, and secondhand furniture moves through many Pinellas households. In multi-unit buildings, bugs can travel through wall voids and along plumbing from one apartment to another, which is why neighbors sometimes need to be involved.
How professionals approach treatment
- Inspection. A technician checks mattress seams, bed frames, nightstands, outlets and upholstered furniture.
- Preparation. You may be asked to launder bedding on high heat, reduce clutter and bag clothing.
- Treatment. Providers use heat, residual products, steam, or a combination, depending on the situation.
- Follow-up. A second visit is common, since eggs can survive the first pass.
Over-the-counter foggers generally do not work on bed bugs and can scatter them into new rooms, so it is better to hold off on them.
Staying careful while you travel and shop
- Check hotel mattress seams and headboards before bringing luggage onto the bed.
- Keep suitcases on a rack, not the floor, and dry clothing on high heat when you return.
- Inspect any secondhand sofa, mattress or frame thoroughly before taking it home.
- Use zippered encasements to remove hiding places on your mattress and box spring.
Speaking with someone now
If you suspect bed bugs, call (844) 725-1661. PestMinistry is a referral line; we put you in touch with an independent licensed provider serving St. Petersburg, and that provider performs the inspection and any treatment. Try to keep a sample of the insect in a sealed container so it can be identified.
Hotels, rentals and renters in the city
If you manage a vacation rental or rent a unit in St. Petersburg, tell the owner or property manager promptly so every adjoining unit can be inspected. Landlords in St. Petersburg are usually expected to coordinate treatment in shared buildings, and early reporting keeps the problem from spreading down a hallway. Keep photos and dates of what you find.
Common questions
Do bed bugs spread disease?
They are not known to transmit disease in people, but bites can itch intensely and scratching can lead to infection.
Should I throw away my mattress?
Usually not. Treatment and an encasement can solve the problem, and discarding furniture can spread bugs through hallways.
Can I stay in the home during treatment?
That depends on the method used. Your provider will explain when you need to be out and for how long.
Why did they come back after one visit?
Eggs hatch over a couple of weeks, which is why follow-up inspections are standard.