Locating a few
bed bugs throughout the home might not seem like a big deal to some. Heck, there are individuals that might write the incident off and not even think twice about it. Unfortunately, this would be the wrong move to make. Any way you go about it, just seeing one bug is a major cause for concern. Why?
Bed bugs are social critters and they reproduce faster than you’d imagine. Not only this, but these bugs are cryptic. If you’ve seen one, you’re incredibly lucky because they actually put forth the effort to not get spotted. Spotting one bug probably means you are dealing with a full-blown infestation.
This is when you’ll want to
call in the professionals. Most reputable pest control companies have years and years of experience dealing with such situations. They’ll exactly how to proceed and what treatment options are best for your specific situation.
Why Just A Few Bugs Are A Major Threat?
Whether you’ve brought a few bugs home from a vacation overseas or out of town or you’ve just spotted a few in the home, you are likely dealing with a situation you’d rather not be dealing with. This is because
bed bugs are sociable creatures, as you just learned about. Heck, even if there are just a few in the home, it won’t take them long to double or even triple their population.
In addition to rapidly laying eggs, a single female bed bug possesses the capabilities to lay as many a 500 eggs in her lifetime. Even if you spot just a few or one-bed bug, you’ll want to turn to a reputable pest management company. This is especially true if that bug is a female. While these bugs are cryptic and small, you can distinguish between males and females.
Why Are Bed Bugs So Hard To Find?
You just learned that
bed bugs are only about the size of an apple seed, which makes them incredibly hard to spot. What makes them even harder to locate is that their bodies are as thin as a credit card. Along with this, they are reddish-brown in color, making them blend in with the most common surroundings. You add to this that they only feed when you are sleeping and will go out of their way to stay undetected, it only makes the entire situation all that harder.
To make matters even worse, there are some individuals that don’t react to
bed bug bites. This means that you and your family could be getting fed on and you’d be none the wiser. This is truly troubling and why you’ll want to reach out to a professional even if you suspect that you are dealing with an infestation.
Make Sure Bed Bugs Are What You Are Dealing With
With the above in mind, just because you wake up with bites marks, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are dealing with bed bugs. You could have fleas or even chiggers. Whatever the situation, you’ll want to make a hundred percent sure that you are dealing with bed bugs. As hard as it might be the best way to do this is by procuring a sample of the specimen. This is something your friendly, local pest management company can assist it.
However, if you are lucky enough to procure a bed bug, you should be able to identify these critters. From the information above, you likely already have a general idea of what a bug looks like. Just to recap though, a bed bug is less than 10 millimeters long, has six, small legs with a segmented antenna, and is reddish-brown in color.
Symptoms Of A Bed Bug Infestation
Hitting a bed bug problem head-on is the very best way to deal with bed bugs. The best way to hit the problem head-on is by known how to identify the signs of an infestation. Here are some key things you’ll want to look for when seeking out bed bug infestations:
Bloodstains – If you see reddish stains on your sheets, it could be the indication that you’ve rolled over and squashed a bug during the night while it was feeding.
Exoskeletons – Bed bugs, like snakes, will shed their skins. These skins will be delicate, molted, and near-translucent. Given the bed bug’s size and the color of the exoskeletons, these can be extremely hard to detect. It is entirely possible, but it can be difficult.
Eggs/Egg Casings – Speaking of small size, a bed bug egg will only be about the size of a pinpoint. Once again, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to spot them, but the process will be hard. If you see an egg or egg casing this is a surefire indication that a bug has just reproduced and hatched. This is not a good sign and not what any homeowner wants to see.
Fecal Matter – If you don’t want t find eggs or egg casings, you certainly do not want to wake up next to fecal matter. Of course, it’ll be a good indication that you have a problem, but it’ll be enough to wig you out.
Bite Marks – Bite marks are another good indication that you are infested with bed bugs. However, as was mentioned earlier, bites don’t necessarily mean that you are dealing with bed bugs. You could be being bitten by fleas, chiggers, or similar parasites.
Musty, Sweet Odors – If you smell something in your home that smells like soda pop, you could be dealing with an infestation. This is a scent that secretes from the bug’s scent glands and is usually abundantly present when there is a large number of pests in a small area.
Making Your Search For Bed Bugs
If you want to begin your search for bed bugs before calling a professional, you always have the option. Heck, you can tackle your bed bug infestation on your own if you want. This doesn’t mean you’ll be successful or the entire task will be easy, but you can at least attempt it. Some have been successful, some have been not so. All that aside, you’ll want to start by relocating the bed away from the walls, if it isn’t already. After that, you’ll want to strip the bedding and sheets.
This will just cover the bed, but you’ll also have to check the rest of the room. Just because you do or do not locate bed bugs in the bed, it doesn’t mean your quest is finished there. Bed bugs, while they do like to inhabit the bed, will take up residence in nightstands, behind wallpaper, in picture frames, upholstered furniture, and just about anything dark, and damp in the bedroom. Continue your search by scouring these areas.
Calling In The Professionals
All throughout this article, you’ve heard the mention of turning to a professional in certain situations. This is because bed bugs are extremely diligent pests. Just as much as they are diligent, they are cryptic as well. They are so cryptic and diligent that they will readapt their sleeping habit to match yours just to avoid detection. If you sleep during the day and work at night, that’s what they’ll start doing just to avoid detection and feed on you when you are sleeping. Regardless, it pays to have the knowledge and assistance of a reputable, trained professional.
