Bed bugs are a homeowner’s nightmare. These parasitic insects are a major nuisance and can be extremely difficult to eliminate on your own or without a professional. Nesting in mattresses to feed off human blood, anyone that’s dealt with bed bugs before will tell you that you will not sleep tight and have a good night when the bed bugs bite.
Bed bugs come out at night to feed their human hosts, leaving itchy red welts on their victims’ skin. Fortunately, there are several signs that you can look out for to determine whether or not you have an infestation of bed bugs in your home. If you notice any of these signs in your home, contact the professionals at Advantage Pest Control immediately to schedule an appointment to get your house back under control as soon as possible!
Itchy Bumps on the Skin
Itchy skin is a classic symptom of bed bug infestations, as these pests typically bite your neck, arms, and exposed body parts to feed off blood. If you see small, red, itchy bumps on your arms, neck, torso, or legs, this could be due to an infestation. Other indications that your bites are due to a bed bug infestation rather than rashes, infections, or other insect bites, are multiple people in a house affected at once, itching that peaks at night, and bites in an obvious cluster or zigzag pattern.
Bed bug bites, however, are not the only indicator of bed bug infestation and cannot be distinguished from bites of other insects. Because people react differently to bed bug bites, pest control professionals agree that bites alone cannot diagnose a bed bug problem.
Shells or Molted Skins of Bed Bugs
One way to identify a bed bug infestation is to look for shells or molted skins of bed bugs. If you find any, the best action is to call a professional exterminator.
Shell casings are visible signs of bed bugs and are often found before the insects themselves. Look for them anywhere bed bugs hatch and reproduce, such as in seams of sheets and mattresses, cracks and crevices of bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Odors
When bed bugs are disturbed or threatened, they secrete “alarm” pheromones. These pheromones can produce certain odors that can smell mildly sweet or musty. The smell is comparable to that of raspberries, coriander, cilantro, or almonds.
By nature, bed bug pheromones are very difficult to notice. They produce only a very slight scent that, while easily recognizable to a bed bug, will not likely be smelled by humans.
When you have many bed bugs, the scent of their pheromones gets mixed with the odor of dead bed bugs, shells from sheds, and bed bug excrement. The result is an unpleasant, rusty scent that only worsens as the infestation grows. If you notice this odor, you should immediately call an exterminator.
Dark Spots On Your Mattress
Bed bugs are sometimes discovered due to dark spots on the bed that often look like mold. These dark spots are fecal marks left on the areas where the bugs inhabit. If you find these dark spots within your furniture, clothing, or any other material, be wary of a possible infestation and consider getting an inspection from professionals.
Blood Stains
If you find small, smeared-looking blood stains on your sheets that look like they might have been drawn by a marker pen, these could be an indicator of bed bugs. Check all surfaces of your mattress, box spring, and bed frame for any blood stains. Sometimes you can’t see them until you lift the mattress or check under the box spring. These stains are small and dark-red in color, usually with round or smeared borders. Though stains indicate a possible bed bug infestation, these blood stains may also be from some other cause, such as an injury, but when in doubt, a trustworthy pest service will perform a free assessment to let you know what’s going on.
Bed Bug Eggs
Eggs laid by bed bugs are small and white. A person typically finds them at the infestation spot, where adult bed bugs also like to stay. They are often in clusters very close to one another. Advantage Pest Control recommends using a flashlight when inspecting these eggs because they may be difficult to see otherwise. Remember, bed bug eggs can be confused with other insect eggs; therefore, look for other signs before making conclusions.
Live Bed Bugs
The presence of live bed bugs is the most obvious sign that you have an infestation. It takes only one bed bug to start an infestation, and populations can quickly rise as they are excellent at hiding and challenging to find. Since it’s hard to tell where a single bed bug came from, it’s crucial to assume that every room has been infested and needs treatment.
Effective pest treatment is essential to eliminate a bed bug infestation. It’s always best to call a professional if you suspect a bed bug infestation, as these tenacious creatures won’t leave quickly, and unfortunately, a DIY pest treatment won’t cut it. With Advantage Pest Control on your side, getting rid of bed bugs can be a quick and efficient process, and you’ll be able to sleep easy once again.
Advantage pest control has years in the industry and can create a customized program for any home that has been recently invaded or is at risk for invasion. All it takes is one phone call to book an appointment. Contact us today and stop those pesky pests from infesting your home.
