Bed bugs are one of the most stressful pests you can encounter in your home or business. Tiny, sneaky and resilient, they can show up anywhere—from oceanfront hotels along Virginia Beach’s famous boardwalk to suburban homes in Kempsville, Town Center or Sandbridge. And once they arrive, they rarely leave on their own.
If you’ve just discovered bed bugs, acting fast is crucial. Within 24 hours of noticing signs of an infestation, there are steps you can take to protect your property, your health and your peace of mind. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about bed bugs in Virginia Beach, what to do immediately after spotting them, and how professional help from Massey Services can make all the difference.
Why Bed Bugs Are a Serious Problem
Unlike ants, cockroaches or termites, bed bugs don’t chew through wood, raid your pantry, or spread diseases. Yet, they are among the most disruptive pests because:
- They feed exclusively on blood. Bed bugs need human or animal hosts to survive. Their bites often cause itching, irritation and allergic reactions.
- They are expert hitchhikers. Bed bugs latch onto luggage, purses, backpacks and even clothing, making them easy to transport from hotels, dorms, theaters and other public places.
- They reproduce quickly. A single female bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime. Within weeks, a small problem can spiral into a large-scale infestation.
- They impact mental well-being. The thought of bugs crawling on you while you sleep can lead to anxiety, stress and lack of rest.
For Virginia Beach residents, where tourism i furniture, they can remain unnoticed until the infestation is well underway.
Spotting the Signs of Bed Bugs
If you’re waking up with itchy bites or have recently stayed at a hotel, don’t dismiss the possibility of bed bugs. Within the first 24 hours of suspicion, look for these telltale signs:
- Unexplained Bites or Skin Irritation – Clusters or lines of small red welts, usually on arms, legs or torso.
- Dark Stains or Spots on Sheets – Bed bug droppings look like black pepper flakes and may leave smears on bedding.
- Rust-Colored Marks – Crushed bed bugs leave behind reddish-brown stains.
- Sweet, Musty Odor – A heavy infestation may produce a distinct odor.
- Live Bugs or Shed Skins – Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, while nymphs are much smaller and translucent.
Checking mattresses, box springs, upholstered furniture and cracks in the wall should be your first step.
What to Do Within the First 24 Hours
If you confirm or strongly suspect a bed bug problem in your Virginia Beach home, follow these steps immediately:
1. Don’t Panic, but Don’t Delay
Bed bugs don’t spread disease, but waiting too long allows them to multiply. Calm, deliberate action is key.
2. Contain the Problem
- Avoid moving items between rooms. Carrying laundry, bedding or furniture can spread the bugs.
- Isolate infested areas. If possible, keep the affected room closed off until professionals arrive.
3. Document the Infestation
Take clear photos of live bugs, stains or bite marks. This will help professionals confirm the infestation and guide treatment.
4. Wash and Heat-Treat Linens
Immediately wash bedding, clothing and curtains from the affected area in hot water and dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Heat is lethal to all bed bug stages.
5. Vacuum Thoroughly
Vacuum carpets, baseboards and furniture seams. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in a sealed plastic bag.
6. Call a Professional Pest Control Company
DIY sprays and foggers rarely work against bed bugs. They are resistant to many over-the-counter products and are experts at hiding in tiny cracks. The most effective solution is professional treatment.
Why DIY Bed Bug Solutions Fail
Many homeowners in Virginia Beach attempt to eliminate bed bugs themselves using sprays, powders or essential oils. Unfortunately, these methods often fail for three reasons:
- Bed bugs are resistant. Many over-the-counter pesticides no longer affect them.
- They hide too well. Bed bugs nest inside wall voids, furniture seams and electrical outlets.
- Infestations spread. Treating one room but not others only pushes the pests into new hiding spots.
Without a structured, professional plan, bed bugs usually return within weeks.
Professional Bed Bug Treatments: How Massey Services Helps
Massey Services offers two highly effective treatment strategies to eliminate bed bugs in Virginia Beach homes, hotels and businesses. Each is designed to attack bed bugs at every stage of development—eggs, nymphs and adults.
1. Targeted Application Treatments
- Uses professional-grade products applied with precision.
- Effective against hidden eggs, nymphs, and adult bed bugs.
- Mattress encasements prevent bugs from nesting in bedding.
- Reduces the need to dispose of expensive mattresses and furniture.
2. Heat Treatment Solutions
- A non-chemical approach that uses controlled heat.
- Penetrates deep into walls, furniture and fabrics.
- Kills bed bugs in every life stage.
- Minimizes inconvenience—affected areas can usually be used again within 48 hours.
- No need to throw away furniture or mattresses.
Preventive Protocols
Even after successful elimination, ongoing monitoring and preventive treatments are key to keeping bed bugs from returning—especially in hotels, rental units and other high-risk environments.
Bed Bugs in Virginia Beach: Why They’re Common
Virginia Beach’s unique mix of tourism, military housing and dense residential areas makes it especially vulnerable to bed bug infestations. Common factors include:
- High travel volume – Visitors from all over the world bring luggage that may carry bed bugs.
- Short-term rentals – Frequent guest turnover increases the risk of introduction.
- Shared housing – Apartments, dorms, and barracks allow infestations to spread quickly.
- Secondhand furniture – Bargain finds from thrift shops or curbside pickups can harbor hidden bed bugs.
This combination means bed bug control isn’t just about treating your home—it’s about staying vigilant.
Protecting Your Business from Bed Bugs
For hotels, resorts and vacation rentals in Virginia Beach, even a single bed bug complaint can cause serious damage to reputation. Online reviews and social media make news travel fast.
Massey Services helps protect businesses by:
- Offering rapid-response inspections.
- Using discreet treatments that minimize downtime.
- Providing monitoring and preventive protocols.
- Delivering peace of mind for guests, employees and management.
Preventing Future Infestations
After treatment, the best way to protect yourself from another infestation is through prevention. Here are some proactive steps:
- Inspect hotel rooms when traveling—check mattresses, headboards, and furniture.
- Keep luggage off the floor and use metal racks.
- Wash clothes immediately after returning from trips.
- Be cautious with secondhand furniture—thoroughly inspect before bringing items home.
- Use mattress encasements to make beds less hospitable to bed bugs.
- Schedule regular inspections with a professional pest control provider.
Why Choose Massey Services in Virginia Beach
When it comes to bed bug infestations, speed and expertise matter. Massey Services stands out for:
- Proven methods that eliminate bed bugs at all stages of life.
- Customized solutions for homes, hotels and businesses.
- Minimized disruption with fast treatment and limited downtime.
- Preventive strategies that keep infestations from coming back.
With decades of experience in pest control and a strong reputation across the Southeast, Massey Services is the trusted partner for Virginia Beach homeowners and businesses facing bed bugs.
Final Thoughts: Act Within 24 Hours
If you suspect bed bugs in your Virginia Beach home or business, don’t wait. The first 24 hours are critical for containing the infestation and preventing further spread.
- Inspect, document, and contain the problem.
- Wash and heat-treat bedding and clothing.
- Vacuum and dispose of waste properly.
- Call Massey Services for fast, reliable professional treatment.
Bed bugs are a serious nuisance, but with immediate action and expert help, you can reclaim your space quickly and confidently. With a FREE pest inspection, we’ll pinpoint exactly where bed bugs are, how they’re invading your home, explain our proven extermination methods, and provide effective pest prevention tips to keep your space pest-free long-term. Schedule your pet control service today!
Call Massey Services today and schedule your free bed bug inspection. We’ll help you take back control—because no one wants pests, especially bed bugs, inside their home.