How do you deal with something you can hardly even see? That’s precisely what makes bed bugs so difficult to get rid of. Often, people don’t even realize they have an infestation until these tiny parasites are leaving itchy bites on their skin. Learning how to properly identify and prevent bed bug activity will help you avoid these harmful nuisances.
Identifying Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are incredibly tough to identify. Not only are they small, but they are often mistaken for fleas or other invasive parasites. In the interest of knowing exactly how to tell them apart, here are useful facts about bed bugs:
- Size: Bed bugs are incredibly tiny, smaller even than an apple seed. They can be spotted by the human eye, however.
- Color: Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, making them much easier to see on light-colored fabrics and upholstery.
- Eggs: Bed bugs are good at hiding, especially hiding their eggs. However, if you see tiny white flakes dotting your linens, those are likely bed bug eggs.
What’s The First Sign Of A Problem?
Unfortunately, the first sign of bed bugs is often the most disgusting. As blood-feeding parasites, bed bugs bite humans and pets in order to feast on our blood. This leaves itchy welts that are usually found in clusters or lines on the skin. As nocturnal feeders, bed bugs take advantage of the hours where we’re most vulnerable, while we sleep. But, being so tiny, they can’t transport themselves far, which is why they often infest items near enough to where we sleep. That’s where they get their habit of infesting mattresses and box springs, but bed bugs can be found in other places, too. Anywhere with fabric or fibers that they can cling to can be a hotspot for bed bugs, meaning you might find them in these items, too:
- Clothing: Garments or fabrics are another frequent infestation spot for bed bugs. Closets provide them with dark areas to hang out during the day, too.
- Furniture: Mattresses aren’t the only cushioned areas for bed bugs to burrow into. They also will infest couches, chairs, and ottomans.
- Containers: Bed bugs can survive for weeks without a meal, meaning they will also infest old boxes or packages that might be introduced to a property.
Other Signs Of Bed Bugs
While it can be hard to avoid getting bitten, there are other signs to look for when it comes to bed bugs. Here are some other sure signs of bed bug activity:
- Spots: In the moment it takes our platelets to stem the bleeding at the site of a bug bite, sheets or pillows can get dotted by blood.
- Stains: Another source of color on your bedding might be the yellowed stains left behind after bed bugs hatch or shed their skins.
- Eggs: Again, bed bugs hide their eggs in dark, out-of-the-way places but they are another thing to watch out for. They look like tiny white flecks.
Fast Elimination From Bugaboo Pest Control
Once they move in, bed bugs are next to impossible to get rid of on your own. Rather than suffer their itchy bites, turn directly to pest professionals who can protect you from bed bugs. At Bugaboo Pest Control, our technicians can get started right away on a thorough inspection of your property. We’ll check for all sorts of pest problems, including bed bugs, so you don’t have to painstakingly check just to see if you have bed bugs. If any problems are found, our solutions can totally eliminate bed bugs and their eggs, ensuring that you can go back to getting a good night’s sleep.
Don’t become a feeding ground for gross parasites, get started on total bed bug control today. Call Bugaboo pest control today.
