Central Florida's #1 Bed Bug Experts

Many homeowners first suspect bed bugs when they notice unexplained bites, but there are other important clues:

• Small, rust-colored or dark stains on sheets and mattress seams
• Tiny dark spots (droppings) along mattress edges or box springs
• Shed skins and eggs in cracks of the bed frame, headboard, or baseboards
• Live bugs in seams of mattresses, upholstery, or nearby furniture
• A sweet, musty odor in heavy infestations

If you see any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly. Bed bugs multiply rapidly, and early intervention from Gato Lawn & Pest Control can prevent a small problem from becoming a whole-house infestation.

Where Bed Bugs Hide in Your Home

Bed bugs prefer to stay close to where people sleep or sit for long periods, such as:

• Mattresses and box springs
• Bed frames and headboards
• Nightstands and dresser joints
• Upholstered chairs and sofas
• Baseboards, electrical outlets, and wall cracks near beds

As infestations grow, bed bugs can spread to adjacent rooms, closets, and even behind wall coverings. Gato’s inspections are designed to find these hidden harborages so treatments are applied where they matter most.

Our Bed Bug Treatment Process

1. Detailed Inspection
A trained Gato technician inspects beds, furniture, baseboards, and nearby rooms to confirm bed bug activity and determine how far the infestation has spread. We identify harborage areas and level of severity so we can choose the right treatment strategy.

2. Preparation Guidance
We provide clear, written instructions on how to prepare your home before treatment. This often includes laundering bedding and clothing on high heat, reducing clutter, and emptying drawers or storage areas near sleeping spaces. Proper preparation significantly improves treatment success.

3. Targeted Treatments
Gato Lawn & Pest Control uses a combination of methods—such as residual products, dusts, and crack-and-crevice treatments—applied to mattresses, box springs, bed frames, baseboards, and furniture joints where bed bugs hide. We focus on precision rather than over-spraying open surfaces.

4. Follow-Up Visits
Because bed bug eggs can survive initial treatments and hatch later, follow-up visits are critical. Gato schedules one or more return visits as needed to inspect for surviving activity and apply additional treatments until the infestation is fully under control.

5. Education & Prevention
We explain how bed bugs spread and offer tips to help you avoid reintroductions after travel, second-hand furniture purchases, or overnight guests.

Do I Have to Throw Away My Furniture?

In many cases, furniture can be treated and saved. Mattress and box spring encasements, combined with professional treatments, allow you to keep many items that might otherwise be discarded. Gato will advise you when items are salvageable and when severe infestations or damage make disposal the best option.

Bed Bug Prevention Tips

While no method is perfect, the following steps reduce your risk:

• Inspect hotel beds and headboards when traveling
• Keep luggage off hotel beds and floors; use racks or hard surfaces
• Launder travel clothing on high heat as soon as you return home
• Be cautious with used furniture; inspect seams and joints thoroughly
• Reduce clutter around beds to limit hiding spots

If bed bugs still find their way in, Gato Lawn & Pest Control is ready with a proven, systematic approach to eliminate them.