Bed Bug Symptoms
Bed bugs are one of the most common pests encountered in the United States. In fact, around 1 in every 5 American households reports a bed bug infestation every year!
This fact may sound scary, but you don’t need to worry. If you experience any signs of bed bugs in your home, an experienced pest control company will be able to identify an infestation and get your home back to normal as soon as possible. In this post, we’ll talk about what bed bugs are and the most common bed bug signs and symptoms to look out for.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny oval-shaped creatures that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They can’t fly, but they can move very quickly over floors, walls, and even ceilings.
Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs (each the size of a dust particle) in their lifetime. Immature bed bugs (called nymphs) shed their skin five times before maturing and require a blood meal each time they shed. Bed bug infestations are very common and can develop quickly.
Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites
The most common symptom of bed bugs is bite marks. Bed bugs are active at night and usually bite people while they’re sleeping, which can make them hard to identify. These tiny bugs feed for three to ten minutes at a time and then crawl away unnoticed.
Bed bug bites are painless at first but develop into red, itchy welts over time. It can be hard to distinguish them from other insect bites, but there are a few key differences.
Flat, red welts that appear in zig zag patterns or small clusters are a common symptom of bed bug bites in humans. Bed bugs may also leave their bites in straight rows. Although the bites are itchy and uncomfortable, they are not known to carry dangerous diseases.
Signs of an Infestation
There are a few major signs of a bed bug infestation to look out for. The first is small blood stains on your pillowcases or sheets, which indicates that bed bugs have been biting you during the night. The second is small reddish-brown or rust-colored stains from bug excrement, also called “fecal spots.”
Another common sign that your home has bed bugs is finding tiny eggshells or molted skins in areas where the insects like to hide. One last (and pretty strange) way to discover a bed bug infestation is by smell! The tiny creatures give off musty-smelling pheromones and the smell can be quite strong in large numbers.
Take Back Your Home with Maine Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can be a major nuisance, but if you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed in this article, there’s no need to panic! Professional exterminators have the tools and experience to treat an infestation quickly and safely.
Maine Bed Bugs is a full-service pest control company that specializes in bed bug removal. We’ve been proudly helping homeowners in the Lewiston and Portland areas keep their homes pest-free for many years.