The very thought of bed bugs- disgusting tiny insects sends cold chills down the spine of most people. They are the last things you would like to talk about. But wishing them away is not a solution because the sad reality is that you will have to face them at some point in your life.
If you have bed bugs in your household, you should call a pest control professional immediately to deal with the problem. So, what does detecting bed bug infestation in your house mean? Let’s focus on a few things that are worth paying attention to.
A live bedbug walking around
Seeing a living bed bug crawling on your couch, mattress, or vehicle seat is evidence enough of an infestation. The seats, glove compartments, and mats allow bedbugs to thrive. The bedbugs you observed today may have always lived in that area; hence, regular monitoring is very important to control them.
Even though they change shape with age, most bedbugs are reddish-brown, flat, oval insects. Some can be as tiny as a poppy seed, while some can be as large as an apple seed.
Bites and bumps on the skin
Blood from humans serves as a delicacy to bedbugs. In other situations, these creatures may not bite you right away. Instead, they will wait and get you back later in your dwelling. Do not think every bump or laceration on your skin came from a mosquito. Some of these bites may resemble mosquito bites that one is used to, so it is advisable to check for the presence of bedbugs whenever one sees unexplained bites on the skin that occur in patterns.
An unusual, musty odor
Strange and unhealthy smells around your residence may indicate that bed bugs are in your house. Bed bugs produce strong pheromones when they are in a concentrated population.
Dark spots on the mattress
It may be because of bedbugs if you come across any dark spots on your mattress or even on the bed sheet. WebMD states that bedbugs often leave fecal stains in places such as beds or where they have been in large numbers. The stains tend to smear when touched and have a foul smell.
White spots on furniture
A further indication of a possible infestation is the presence of small whitish specks in the corners of your furniture or within the depressions of your mattress. When the beds are inspected, use a torch to look for gaps between the cushions or at the back of the headboards. In addition, lifting the fabric, which is stapled at the bottom of the chairs, should also be done if needed.
Exoskeleton near cracks and crevices
Bed Bugs molt their exoskeleton normally once a week. If the bedbug is in another situation, it molts the exoskeleton five times before growing up. If you see anything around, you need to call the examiner. The exoskeletons can be found in places where they are likely to congregate.
Eggs and bed bug shells
The sight of white and rough dots signals that these pesky creatures are around. Bedbug eggs exhibit such characteristics, and what you’re looking at is most likely shells. As the bed bugs grow, they cast off their exoskeleton, leaving this shell behind.
Conclusion
Bed Bugs do not infect our bodies, but they are very annoying. Many people suffer from sleep disorders and can also develop a phobia of insects. So, it’s better to check cushions and mattresses for an infestation. We can always be careful by taking precautions to prevent a bed bug infestation. In case of a bed bug infestation, it is best to turn to the professional services offered by pest control companies so they can undertake thorough extermination.
