Bed Bug Infestation: All You Need to Know

Bed bugs are tiny, brownish, oval insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. These pests don’t fly, but they can move quickly over ceilings, floors, and walls.

Bed bugs are viewed as a growing issue within all kinds of dwellings, including residential houses, army barracks, cruise ships, shelters, and dormitories.

In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about bed bug infestations.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bugs might enter your house undetected through clothing, luggage, used couches and beds, etc. Because of their flat bodies, they can easily fit into very tiny spaces that are nearly the width of a credit card.

Bed bugs don’t have nests. Rather, they live in groups in hiding spots. They typically initially hide in box springs, mattresses, headboards, and bed frames where they can easily access people to bite at night.

With time, these pests can spread in the bedroom, moving into unprotected locations or crevices. If the room is heavily invested, you can find bed bugs:

● In drawer joints

● In the seams of couches and chairs, between cushions, in the folds of curtains.

● In electrical appliances.

● Under wall hangings and loose wallpaper.

When Do Bed Bugs Bite?

Bed bugs are primarily active during the night and generally bite people while they’re asleep. They feed by piercing any exposed area on the skin and drawing blood through their elongated beaks. The bugs feed for 3 to 10 minutes, after which they crawl away unobserved.

A bed bug bite is initially painless. However, it can later change into itchy welts or worse if not treated when required. People who aren’t aware of a bed bug infestation might attribute the welts and itching to other causes, like mosquitoes.

To confirm bed bug bites, you need to first find and identify the bed bugs themselves.

Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

Here are some signs of bed bug infestations that you shouldn’t ignore.

You Wake Up with Itchy Red Spots on Your Skin

The most observable sign of bed bug infestations might be on your skin.

Bed bug bites are usually red and small, and they can also be itchy. The bite might even become inflamed. Nevertheless, everyone doesn’t react to bed bug bites by sustaining an itchy area or red spot.

Offensive, Musty Odor

Another sign of a bed bug infestation is a strange musty odor in your house.

According to the NHS, an unpleasant, musty smell in your room could indicate the presence of these insects. This is because bed bugs release pheromones that can be fairly strong when there’s a massive infestation.

Unexplained Blood Stains

Waking up with your bedsheets stained with blood might point towards a bed bug issue.

You might unconsciously squeeze a bug after or while it feeds during the night. This can lead to a bloodstain on your skin, pyjamas, or bed linen.

Dark or Rusty Spots on Sheets and Mattresses

If you notice rusty-colored or dark spots on your bed sheets or mattress, the reason could be bed bugs.

Bed bugs usually leave excrement stains on bed sheets, mattresses, or wherever they have collected in huge numbers. These spots will smear if you touch them and can have a nasty smell.

Dark Stains on Walls

Even though it may sound weird, bed bugs can leave excrement stains under the wallpaper or on the walls.

If you think you have an infestation problem but are not able to locate any evidence in your bed, you should examine your walls to check the presence of bed bugs.

Bed Bug Shells

According to the NHS, bed bug shells are white-colored, husk-like specks. They are sometimes mottled and are usually the result of bed bugs shedding their skin.

Even though you might locate these shells along your headboard or in your mattress, it is quite possible to find them underneath furniture or in between sofa cushions. The insects also prefer wood or fabric over metal or plastic.

How to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations?

It’s quite difficult to prevent bed bug infestations.

You can perhaps encase both the box spring and mattress in a protective cover, as certain people do for allergy relief. Once the encasement is complete, the bed bugs will ultimately die as they will be caught inside and inhibited from feeding.

During travelling, avoid placing your luggage on the bed to minimize the chances of bringing bed bugs home in your suitcase. You should also try to vacuum any luggage once you get back home and ensure you dispose the vacuum contents in a tightly sealed bag. Throw the bag in a trashcan outside. Keep your travel clothes and laundry separately and wash them immediately using warm water.

Moreover, repair cracks in plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to get rid of places where bed bugs can possibly hide. Last but not least, remove clutter around your bed.

Eliminating Bed Bug Infestations

While cleaning and disinfecting affected areas will be helpful in controlling bed bugs, eliminating them generally warrants chemical treatments. As treating your bedroom and bed with insecticides can be dangerous, it’s important to use products that are safe for use in bedrooms.

Also, do not treat bedding and mattresses unless the label clearly mentions that you can use the product on bedding.

Usually, it’s the safest and most effective to get in touch with an experienced pest control company to eliminate the problem of bed bugs .

Conclusion

For many years, the Valley’s businesses and families have trusted KY-KO Pest Prevention to get rid of bed bug problems. Thanks to our superior pest control and bed bug extermination programs, we are a reliable and dependable bed bug exterminator in Phoenix.

If you think you might have those pesky critters as uninvited and unwanted guests, contact our team and schedule an absolutely FREE bed bug inspection!