In recent years, there has been a resurgence of bed bugs in the US, Canada, and some parts of Europe. While these small brownish insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans are not known to spread disease, they cause red patches and itching that may result in secondary skin infection from excessive scratching.
Contrary to popular belief, the presence of bed bugs is not a sign of poor hygiene and sanitation. In fact, even the most high-end hotels and resorts are not spared from these parasitic insects that live solely on blood.
Related article: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs and Prevent Re-Infestation
Telltale Signs of Bed Bugs Infestation
While the size of bed bugs makes them hard to detect (adults are roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny, while their eggs are about the size of a speck of dust), some signs will tell you that they have become your bed companion.
* Pungent or musty odor caused by the bugs’ scent glands
* Sudden appearance of itchy welts that were not present before you went to sleep
* Droppings that appear as clusters of tiny black spots on your bed and/or the surrounding area
* Blood stains on bed sheets and pillowcases
* Eggshells and shedding (immature bed bugs, or nymphs, shed their skin five times before becoming an adult)
While these parasitic insects don’t live in nests, they often live in groups in small cracks and crevices in the bed frames, box springs, mattresses, and headboards. Over time, they may scatter throughout the bedroom, moving into the closets and fissures, and even spreading across the house or nearby apartments.
If you want to check for infestation, remove your bedding and look for signs such as droppings, shedding, and eggshells. You may also want to examine the seams and cracks of your bed frame, mattress, and box springs, the edge of carpets, clothes in your closet, and areas around the electrical outlets.
When to Call Pest Control Experts
While you can “control” the bed bugs, you cannot get rid of them completely with DIY treatments. Remember, these insects are prolific breeders, with a single female producing hundreds of eggs in her lifetime. Furthermore, they are resilient parasites that can even survive without feeding for about a year.
Chemical treatments, particularly insecticides, are generally required to get rid of bed bugs. But without proper equipment and knowledge, DIY treatment that uses these toxic chemicals may pose health hazards.
The safest and most effective way to resolve the infestation is to hire professionals that provide pest control services. These experts know the safe products to treat mattresses, bedding, and furniture.
If you have bed bug infestation and other similar problems, contact Pest Be Gone. We are a Rocklin pest control company that has already served thousands of residential and commercial clients.
Our niche expertise includes roaches, wasps, fleas, silverfish, bed bugs, beetles, rodents, centipedes, ants, spiders, termites, and earwigs.
Aside from pest extermination solutions, we also offer regular inspection, which is ideally done annually, or every six months if you live in a region where pests are common or are in resurgence (e.g., termites).
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