How to Know if You Have Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a common pest problem across the US. Contrary to their name, bed bugs aren’t just found in residential and hotel room beds. They are also found in furniture and crevices in nursing homes, schools and daycares, offices, dorm rooms, hospitals, and even public transportation.
These pests are notoriously tricky to identify and eliminate. Once you’ve noticed a bed bug infestation, it’s best to call professionals to quickly and thoroughly exterminate the insects.
What Are Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small reddish-brown insects about one-quarter inch long. They are similar in size and shape to an apple seed. Bed bugs cannot fly or jump, but they do crawl quickly. During the day, they hide on beds and other furniture as well as in-wall crevices. They are more active at night and typically bite people while they are sleeping.
These insects can come from used furniture, or they can crawl onto luggage, backpacks, or clothing placed on infested beds and furniture. They can also spread from room to room in hotels and apartment buildings.
Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but they are annoying and can cause discomfort.
Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites are often the most obvious sign of an infestation. Bites are small, red, and itchy and most common on the neck, arms, legs, and hands (skin areas exposed while sleeping). The bites typically appear in rough lines, but can also be in random clusters.
Some people can have allergic reactions to bed bug bites resulting in enlarged bite marks, painful swelling, and severe itching. Those experiencing significant reactions to bites should see a doctor for treatment.
Signs of Infestation
Even if you see bug bites on the skin, you can only confirm they are bed bugs by finding signs of infestation or seeing the actual bugs. Some common signs are:
● Sweet, musty odor
● Small blood stains on sheets and pillowcases (caused by inadvertently crushing bugs in your sleep)
● Dark brown or black spots of bug feces on sheets/blankets, mattresses, furniture, and walls
● Bed bug eggs are small, pearly-white ovals about 1 millimeter long and look like tiny grains of rice
● Bed bugs shed their shells leaving behind yellowish-brown, translucent exoskeletons (a reliable sign of infestation)
● Live bed bugs are most likely to be found in the seams of mattresses and box springs, in bed frames and other furniture near beds, and baseboards (a clear sign of infestation)
Getting Rid of Pests with Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control
Bed bugs can be difficult to detect. They can lie dormant for long periods of time, and their eggs can take months to hatch, which makes some do-it-yourself treatments (vacuuming, cleaning, bug bombs, etc.) ineffective. To be sure you’ve rid your home of these pests, call in professional exterminators like those at Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control.
The experts at Maine Bed Bugs use a safe and lasting heat extermination treatment that quickly kills bed bugs and their eggs without chemicals, fumes, or residue.