Finding a bed bug isn’t cause for concern, right? Finding just a bug or two randomly spread throughout the home probably doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, does it? Think again!
There is simply no other way to say it. One bed bug in your home is a potential problem. One egg or one exoskeleton of a bed bug should be enough to raise major red flags. It could mean you have a full-blown infestation just flustering right under your nose.
It’s time to call in the pros because bed bugs are social creatures. Where you see one, there will be more. There are likely many more just lurking right around the corner. Our reputable pest management professionals have experience dealing with bugs in a variety of settings. We have decades of experience under our belts dealing with these specific circumstances and others. While we always suggest getting multiple quotes before deciding on an official provider, you really cannot go wrong with what we have to offer.
Why Just One Bug Means Problems
Just spotting one adult bed bug, egg, or exoskeleton might not seem like a major deal. Well, this is certainly the wrong way to approach the such a sighting. And, this is because bed bugs are social creatures, as was discussed before. There is even more cause for concern if the bug you were lucky enough to spot was female because they reproduce quickly. A single mature female can lay as many as 500 eggs in just one lifetime.
Bed bugs are difficult enough to detect, but determining the sex can be even more difficult. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just means that it’ll take some diligence on your part and maybe a bit of luck. Bed bugs are only about 7 to 10 millimeters in length. So, you will likely require the assistance of a magnifying glass for this procedure.
Look at the abdomen, mouthparts, body size and color, and behaviors! The stomach of the female will be round, whereas the abdomens of the male will be more pointed.
Why Is Finding Bed Bugs So Hard?
It doesn’t help that bed bugs are only about the size of an apple seed, but you combine that with the face they are quick-witted and squeeze their bodies into some of the tightest spaces, it only makes matters all that much worse. They are also as thin as a credit card and reddish-brown in color, giving them the ability to easily mesh with common surroundings.
To make matters worse, they’ll feed when you are sleeping. It doesn’t matter if you sleep during the day or at night, they’ll adapt to your living arrangements. This is just another of the many things that make them so hard to detect. Another interesting fact, these bugs are smart enough to try to elude your detection. They will do what they can to avoid detection. While they do feed on human and canine hosts, there are a lot of people that don’t have reactions from the bites.
Make Sure You Are Dealing With Bed Bugs
With the above said, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are dealing with bed bugs just because you are waking up with bite marks. You could have a flea infestation on your hands. Pest management for the two is completely different. Trying to eradicate one pest could be an expensive spiral down the wrong path. Confirm you are dealing with bed bugs. One way is by accessing the bug itself if you are lucky enough to procure a sample. The bug will be anywhere from 7 to 10 millimeters in length, reddish-brown in color, six legs, and a segmented antenna.
All this being said, people commonly mistake bed bugs for roaches, nymphs, fleas, and carpet beetles. Here are some other signs that could indicate you are dealing with bed bugs.
Signs Your Home Is Infested With Bed Bugs
- Blood Stains: Blood stains on your sheets might mean you’ve rolled over and squashed a bug while it was feeding on you. Bloodstains might also be left over residue from the feeding process.
- Exoskeletons: An exoskeleton is the skin of a bed bug. A bed bug will shed its skin once in its lifetime. This is usually delicate, molted, and near-translucent. It’ll look just like the bug itself.
- Eggs/Egg Casings: Egg casings on about the size of a pinpoint, but that doesn’t mean they are undetectable. The only problem with spotting these in the home is, it likely means bugs have hatched somewhere in your living space. You are probably dealing with hundreds of more bugs lying in wait around the corner somewhere.
- Fecal Matter: The thought of fecal matter alone can be disgusting enough, but fining it in your bed makes matters worse. Even if it is just the size of an apple seed, it can still be troubling. That being said, this is usually black, but can also appear as black ink spots on your sheets.
- Bite Marks: While not everyone will react to bed bug bites, you may react. The troubling part is, these will look similar to that of mosquito bite marks. They’ll likely show up on your face, neck, arms, and hands.
- Musty, Sweet Odors: When dealing with moderate to severe infestations, it is not uncommon to sweet, musty odor. The scent emitted from the insect’s scent glands.
Performing A Search For The Bugs
There is nothing wrong with performing your own search of bed bugs before calling in the pros. This could give you a good idea of what you are dealing with. That being said, you’ll likely want to call in the pros once you detect signs or proof of any kind of insect. Given that these bugs like to live near their hosts, you’ll want to start in the bedroom.
Start by stripping all the bedding, including the pillowcases and comforters off the bed. Comb through all the creases and folds to make sure there are no bugs. From here, you’ll want to move on to the box springs and mattresses. Also, check the corners and along the edges, as these are common bed bug hiding places. Flip your mattress while thoroughly checking both sides. It might even be necessary to take apart your bed frame and go over all the joints slowly.
This sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? It is and unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Bed bugs can live in walls, baseboards, carpets, rugs, furniture, clothing, and even electrical outlets as well as electronics. You can see why professional help is needed. If you spot bed bugs in your bed, you’ll likely find them in these areas also.
Turning To The Pros
At the end of the day, you will likely have to turn to the pros for assistance. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things you can try. You can wash your linens in hot water and then dry them on the highest heat setting. You can also vacuum up any bugs you see, sealing, and disposing of the bags in a manner where the bugs can’t get back into the home.
Routinely inspect your home, focusing on problematic areas, such as the bedrooms.
