Tallahassee is a college town and a capital city. Tens of thousands of students at Florida State, Florida A&M and Tallahassee State College move in and out of apartments and dorms every year, and lawmakers, lobbyists and visitors fill downtown hotels during the legislative session. All that coming and going is a perfect delivery system for bed bugs, which ride in suitcases, backpacks and secondhand furniture. If you suspect them, call (844) 725-1661 for a referral to a licensed provider. PestMinistry is a referral service and does not apply treatments.
How to confirm a bed bug problem
- Check the mattress seams, tags and corners for tiny dark spots, which are digested blood.
- Look behind the headboard, in the joints of the bed frame and in the folds of upholstered furniture for live bugs, shed skins or eggs.
- Pull back the box spring fabric and examine the wooden frame underneath.
- Notice whether bites appear in rows or clusters after nights in a particular bed.
A flashlight, a credit card to scrape seams and a magnifying glass help. Some people do not react to bites, so absence of itching does not rule them out.
Why bed bugs fit Tallahassee
Florida's heat and humidity do not matter indoors, where air conditioning keeps bedrooms comfortable all year. The student rental market around campus and in neighborhoods like Frenchtown and Woodville Highway has frequent turnover, and the end-of-semester move-out often leaves furniture on curbs for anyone to pick up. Football weekends bring thousands of visitors into local hotels and short-term rentals. Single-family houses are not safe either, since a visiting relative or a yard sale couch can bring them in.
What professional treatment involves
- Inspection: beds, sofas, closets, baseboards and outlets in the main room and adjacent areas.
- Preparation: washing and drying fabrics on high heat, bagging belongings, reducing clutter and pulling furniture from walls.
- Treatment: heat, steam and residual products applied to cracks, seams and furniture; dusts for wall voids.
- Encasing: zippered covers on mattress and box spring.
- Follow-up: a second visit around two weeks later, and sometimes a third.
Advice for students and travelers
- Inspect any used furniture, including curbside finds, before moving it into a dorm or apartment.
- Keep luggage on racks or in the bathroom until you have checked the hotel mattress.
- Dry clothing on high heat for a good while after trips.
- Avoid storing clothes on the floor and keep the bed pulled away from the wall.
- Report suspected problems to housing staff or your landlord promptly in writing.
Renters' rights and responsibilities
Florida landlord-tenant law and your lease determine who handles and pays for pest treatment. Notify the landlord as soon as you see signs, keep records, and cooperate with preparation steps. Apartment complexes often need to treat adjacent units to stop the spread, and an experienced provider will advise on that.
Tallahassee bed bug questions
Can I stay in my home during treatment?
Often yes, though you may need to leave for a period after heat or chemical treatment. Your provider will explain.
Do bed bugs live in clothes?
They can hide in clothing near the bed, but they usually return to mattress and furniture seams.
How soon should I treat?
As soon as you confirm them. A small infestation is easier to clear than a widespread one.
Who do I call?
Call (844) 725-1661 and we will connect you with a licensed Tallahassee provider.