It does not take much effort to identify most pests. You know what mice look like, you can tell a mosquito apart from other bugs, but have you ever seen a bed bug? This probably won’t surprise you, but not many people know what bed bugs look like, or how to spot them inside their home. Some people know nothing about bed bugs at all. Lucky for you, we know a thing or two about bed bugs and can help you identify these pests and eliminate them from your Boca Raton home.
What Are Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small apple seed-sized pests that feed on human blood to survive. Found in all 50 states, bed bugs are one of the most prevalent pests here in the US. They have become so popular mainly due to how they travel, using items we carry to hitchhike from place to place. One day, a bed bug could be in Florida, the next in Washington, just by hitching a ride on someone’s luggage.
Visual Signs Of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are expert hiders. You will not find them crawling over your counter tops like ants or on your TV screen like flies. No, bed bugs remain inconspicuous, nocturnal creatures - staying out of site during the day and only emerging at night to feed. This can make bed bugs themselves difficult to spot. Now, you might be wondering, if I can’t see bed bugs, how can I know if they are around? We recommend looking for the signs they leave behind. Although bed bugs hide exceptionally well, they do leave behind clues indicating their presence.
For instance, after a bed bug is done feeding on their host (you), they will often dribble excess blood from their mouths. This will leave stains around sleeping areas, upholstered furniture, or even carpeting.
Bed bugs will also leave their excrement around the rooms they hide. If you are seeing tiny blackish-red dots appearing on baseboards, around outlets, or near cracks and crevices of your bed or furniture, there is a good chance bed bugs are close by.
Finally, bed bugs can leave visible bites on their victims. These bites will appear in rows, in a straight line, or in a zig-zag pattern. Often these bites will be raised, itchy, and red. If found on your skin, do your best not to scratch at them as this can lead to infection. One thing we should mention is that everyone reacts to bed bug bites differently. Some individuals show no visible symptoms of bed bug bites at all.
How To Perform A Bed Bug Inspection
Now that you know some of the signs bed bugs leave behind, let’s break down how you can inspect your room and home for bed bugs.
Step 1: If you don’t like the idea of touching bed bugs or their fecal matter, we recommend putting on some safety gloves and other safety gear if wanted.
Step 2: Remove all the sheets and blankets off of your bed. Check each layer of bedding for blood stains and fecal matter spots.
Step 3: Lift your mattress at arm’s length and check beneath it for live bed bugs and the signs they leave behind. Make sure to thoroughly inspect creases in the fabric.
Step 4: Lift your box spring in the same way you did your mattress. If possible, check its interior for signs of bed bugs.
Step 5: Inspect your room and home for bed bug fecal matter. You will most likely find this around areas where bed bugs like to hide such as around outlets, along baseboards, in the creases of furniture, and up door frames.
How To Deal With Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are not a pest you can deal with alone, but they are a problem that a professional can solve. Our experts at Pest-Aside have the experience needed to rid your home of bed bugs and other unwanted pests.
We have successfully eliminated bed bugs from homes for over 25 years and would be happy to take care of any unwanted bloodsuckers causing you trouble.
Pests are no trouble when Pest-Aside is by your side. Contact us today to discuss your options for bed bug control!