What You Should Know About Bed Bugs

We can’t emphasize this enough: bed bugs may be tiny but they can make your life miserable if you don’t get rid of them as soon as possible.

Bed bugs remain a predominant issue in many US states and that’s because they can travel to other locations effortlessly by hitchhiking into items carried by tourists. While it is true that bed bugs are not carriers or spreaders of harmful viruses and deadly diseases, still the discomfort, stress, and annoyance they bring to people are serious. 

In order to successfully keep these annoying pests out of our homes (and our lives), we need to be aware of the nature and behavior of bed bugs.

Their Appearance

Seldom spotted by the naked eye, these creatures are only as small as an apple seed. You can distinguish them through their reddish-brown color and oval-shaped bodies. However, when they are full after feeding on blood, they become particularly rounder and their color turns much redder.

The Lifestyle

These tiny crawlies are nocturnal because they are particularly active during the night when people are fast asleep. Sneaky as they are, bed bugs mostly get away without being caught or noticed after sucking on human blood. Also attracted to human sweat and to carbon dioxide, they can easily spot and detect us. For this reason, these bloodsuckers stay as close to people’s beds so they have easy access to their blood meal.  Next, these annoying pests leave extremely itchy bite marks on your skin. If you have a severe reaction to bed bug bites, you are most likely to scratch like crazy so much that you become restless and even depressed. Some people also have allergic reactions to bed bug bites.

Bed Bug Bites

Oftentimes, those who are not familiar with bed bug bite marks think that the bites are caused by mosquitos. However, bed bug bites are way different than mosquito bites because of the pattern and appearance of the marks. Unlike mosquito bites, bed bug bites look like flat red welts that emerge in clusters. Typically, bed bug bites consist of 3 to 5 bite marks that appear in a straight line or in a zigzag pattern. Either way, the bites are way itchier and more disturbing and the marks stay on the skin for longer than mosquito bites do. Bed bug bites are treated by washing them with soap and water so they won’t get infected. You may then calamine lotion or anti-itch cream and even essential oils to the bites to relieve the itchiness. People allergic to bed bug bites are advised to take antihistamines, adrenaline, corticosteroid, and even antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor. Of course, scratching the bites is highly discouraged.

Indications of Bed Bugs

Signs of bed bugs are very subtle making early detection quite difficult. People usually react to and take action against bed bugs once they suffer more disturbance. Bed bug bites can be the worst. Since locating these pests in broad daylight is rare, seeing one or two bed bugs is enough evidence of infestation.

Here are other signs of bed bugs:

• A lingering musky odor

An indicator that the bed bug population has already grown is when a moldy stench becomes apparent in the bedroom. The smell of long uncleaned locker rooms or the stench of a damp towel for days are similar to bed bugs’ stink. Their scent glands release pheromones, producing an unpleasant smell in the atmosphere of the room.

• Bloods stains on beddings and mattress

Bed bugs depend on human blood so they can live. They consume blood by voraciously sucking for about 10 minutes until they fill their small bodies, spilling some blood on pillowcases or sheets in the process. Moreover, their sleeping host may accidentally squash these ectoparasites, leaving small blood stains on the bed and even on pajamas.

• Dark brown or black fecal spots

Bed bugs leave their feces behind their dwelling places. The fecal matters look like the small dark spots made by a black marker. Sides and sides of the mattress and other potential hideaways like the walls, wallpapers, and old newspapers are also favorite defecating spots.

• Molted skins

Bed bugs molt five times before fully reaching adulthood. You can see bed bug exoskeletons scattered in their hiding spots. You can spot them in drawers, headboards, box springs, bed frames, and cracks on the walls.

The good news is that detecting bed bugs early is very much possible. To completely get rid of bed bugs you have to look for the signs of bed bug activity. Also, you must immediately contact a licensed professional to help you assess the problem and conduct bed bug removal procedures. Pest control companies are most reliable when it comes to carrying out highly effective treatment methods such as bed bug heat treatment and chemical treatment.