Bed bugs are more than a nuisance; they are a pest that quickly takes over our home as they pilfer our blood in our sleep. These nocturnal insects do not require a filthy house to thrive; even the most immaculate home can be infested bed bugs. Reaching only ¼” long, no more than a size of an apple seed, bedbugs has flat, oval shaped bodies that look redder and more engorged after feeding. Preferring human blood, but requiring warm-blooded hosts, bed bugs are concentrated in areas where people live. They typically are introduced into homes from people visiting public places or transportation. Motels, hotels, taxis, planes, and so forth often have bed bugs brought in from other people that were unaware of their presence and then picked up by others; instantly introducing the bedb ugs to your home. With that in mind, we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to share some signs your home has bed bugs.
Patterned Red Splotches on Skin Can Indicate Bed Bug Bites
The bite marks are typically blotchy red marks that remain flat and don’t typically inflame. Though they may be itchy to some people, depending on their skin’s sensitivity, people can also experience allergic reactions to their saliva. Bed bug bites are not currently linked to spreading any known diseases to their hosts, but their itchy bite marks can be annoyance and if constantly itched, a minor infection can be born. A Bed bug’s bite marks are not in sporadic areas, but usually found in a line. Additionally, bedbugs usually target the exposed skin; often the arms and shoulders. However, more often than not bite marks found in around the ankles are either fleas or chiggers.
Sleepless Nights
As mentioned previously, bedbugs are nocturnal and when they feed, they disturb your sleep on some level. Following the feast, the itchy bites will often make sleep restless.
Musty Odor
Unpleasant, distinct musky odors, much like the odors of a wet musky towel.
The smell will be more potent in large numbers as bed bugs release pheromones. In a nutshell, if your bedroom smells more and more like an old locker room, a bed bug problem might be the source.
Seeing Blood Stains & Shed Skin from Bed Bugs
The more obvious signs are the physical evidence in your bed. Blood drop stains along the sheets from the bites. As bed bugs evolve into the next life cycle, they shed their skin, leaving remnants behind where ever they happen to be; the molten skin will be brown and oval exoskeletons. Additionally, the bed bugs will leave rusty piles of particles, their feces dropped along their paths, hiding places and on the bed.
Bed Bug Inspection
If you suspect bed bugs, you can perform a search, grab a magnifying glass to make the inspection a little less taxing and start your inspection at the bed. Strip away all the bedding, searching carefully as you go. Look through the frame, head board, box spring and mattress with meticulous detail. When their numbers are small, they tend to stick close to the food source. Branch out throughout the room; looking in all the nooks and crannies of nearby furniture, curtains, upholstery, baseboards and literally everywhere such as in outlets and behind frames for example. Continue into the closet looking behind stored items and hung close as well as in shoes and any other hiding place. Bed bugs can be virtually anywhere.
Bed Bug Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
If bed bugs are confirmed, or you can’t find any but still suspect, contact A-Tex Pest Management to ensure the bed bugs are not present or confirm they are for further procedures.
