Signs That Bed Bugs Are In Your Home
Why Are Bed Bugs In Your Home?
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs can be a problem in even the cleanest homes. Bed bugs aren’t even attracted to filth! Bed bugs can thrive in any environment as long as there is access to a food source (blood). Since they require blood to breed and feed, it makes sense that bed bugs will live close to humans. They’ll come out when it’s safe to feed, so you’ll generally find bed bugs in closets, cabinets, bedrooms, and mattresses.
How Do You Get Bed Bugs In Your Home?
The most common cause of bed bugs is lack of awareness. Bed bugs are often called “hitchhiking bugs” because they will latch onto your belongings and follow you home. This goes back to why June through October are peak months for bed bug treatment. Some common areas bed bugs like to hitch a ride from include hotels, resorts, public transportation, office buildings, nursing homes, schools, daycares, theaters, and even the homes of friends and family.
How To Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home
You’ve likely heard horror stories of someone who stayed a few nights in a hotel only to return home to a bed bug infestation. The infestation probably started with just a few bed bugs hitching a ride back from the hotel (or any locations listed above).
One way to help avoid bringing bed bugs home from vacation is to keep your clothes in your suitcase rather than using the bed, floor, or provided dressers. Keep your belongings away from walls or furniture, if possible. Wash your clothes soon after your trip and put them in a hot dryer.
Signs Of Bed Bugs In Your Home
Despite their name, bed bugs can be found in any room of your house. They are small enough to fit between cracks and even within electrical outlets. You’ll soon notice bed bugs once they have entered your home. Pay attention to the information below on what to look for if you have bed bugs in your home.
Bed Bug Bite Marks
Bed bugs will often feed while you sleep at night. To feed, a bed bug will pierce your skin and suck your blood with its elongated beak, similar to a mosquito. This creepy fact makes getting rid of bed bugs even more imperative. Feeding times average between three to 10 minutes before they crawl back into hiding.
Bed bug bite marks look like small, red bumps. At first, bed bug bites are painless but can become itchy with time. There’s no specific location where bed bug bites tend to appear on the body. Any skin that’s exposed while sleeping is free game to bed bugs.
Blood or Black Stains
Look for blood or black stains on sheets and your couch fabric. Bed bugs will leave behind blood as they feed and black stains as they produce feces. If you notice bed bug bites on your skin, look on your furniture for these stains.
You See Bed Bugs or Eggs
Bed bugs are easier to find than their eggs. Bed bug eggs are white and roughly 1mm in length. Think the size of a pinhead. Bed bugs are larger than their eggs, about a quarter of an inch long. Remember, one bed bug in your home is too many, as they will multiply quickly. This makes bed bug control an uphill battle from your first contact with them.
Bed Bug Treatment With 707 Pest Solutions
We urge you to CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY when you first suspect bed bugs in your home to completely get rid of bed bugs. We can even put a preventative bed bug treatment in place for your home or office to help get rid of bed bugs before they can make your home their home. These treatments are safe for your family and pets. Contact 707 Pest Solutions for bed bug treatment as soon as you see these signs of bed bugs in your home.