Learning bed bugs have taken up residence in your can be a frustrating and bothersome challenge. Bed bugs are small insects that feed off the blood of both animals and humans. Their body shape is oval and small and brown in appearance. Although once adults feed their bodies are reddish in color. Physical signs of infestation are often left behind and these tiny insects will find accommodations in many places throughout your home, typically somewhere they’re able to easily access their food supply.
Understanding bed bugs in your home will take knowing the signs of an infestation. Since bed bugs feed on blood an obvious sign would be bites on the skin. However, these are not the only indicators that these insects are present. If you have suspicions, during the regular cleaning of your home and bedding look for these signs. Dark spots on bedsheets (excrement), reddish stains caused by the bug being crushed, and egg shells or pale yellow skins that have been shed. In addition be on the lookout for the most obvious sign, live bed bugs. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs can be found in many different places, not just in beds.
Bed bugs are quite the nuisance when it comes to your home and your family’s sanity. These pesky insects that make their way into cracks and crevices or anywhere they can be close to a human environment. Most often found in beds, they will also conceal themselves in electrical switchplates, furniture crevices, behind baseboards, wallpaper and even picture frames. When they are found in bed parts, they can be seen in box springs, mattresses and other folded areas. Surprisingly enough, bed bugs can also seek temporary shelter in cars, busses, and trains. Because of their resilience they may hitch a ride on backpacks, suitcases and even shoes to make their way into your home. Once you’ve discovered your home has a bed bug problem, next comes understanding what to do when you see them.
Finding bed bugs in your home may feel like the end of the world, but it can be managed. Discovering an infestation early is imperative to ensure it doesn’t spread throughout your home. Infestations at their core are an inconvenience, but treating a minor infestation is much easier and far less costly than if it becomes widespread.
Lesser infestations can be extremely difficult to identify and challenging to find. Misidentification of a bed bug infestation allows more time for the problem to grow so it’s important to be sure; sometimes other insects, like carpet beetles, are mistaken for bed bugs. Although it is possible to treat a bed bug infestation yourself, it can be more effective to hire a professional. Both chemical and non-chemical approaches are available to rid your home of pests. When used in combination with each other, called integrated pest management, one will have the best chances for success.
Taking on bed bugs can be a challenging and annoying task, but it can be done. If you choose to rid your home of these nuisance pests yourself, be sure to do your research on the types of products available. Should you decide to hire a professional pest control company, ensure that you check the company’s credentials before letting them treat your home.
