When you have a potential bed bug issue in your home, time is of the essence. Bed bugs multiply incredibly fast, and a small problem can quickly become unmanageable before you know it.
The last thing you want is a major infestation of a pest that feasts on human blood. However, bed bugs can be extremely hard to detect because they only emerge in the dark and are extremely small. These microscopic pests are difficult to spot with the naked eye.
This means you must look for other signs of bed bugs. Luckily, several indicators can alert you to the presence of these pests. You’ll have to look closely, however, because a small number of eggs and bugs can be difficult to spot.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Your Home?
There are several ways bed bugs can make it into your home. Most likely, you won’t notice the moment of entry since they’ll be in egg form.
Bed bugs can enter your home by attaching themselves to your luggage after you’ve stayed at a hotel. These are common infestation hot spots for bed bugs.
Additionally, if you’ve purchased any used furniture and placed it inside your home without some type of cleaning treatment, you could be at risk for bed bugs. Regardless of how they enter, these pests become a problem quickly, and the best place to notice them is around your bed.
Since bed bugs feed on human blood, the bed is the most common point of infestation. These pests like to stay close to their host, so they won’t stray far from your mattress.
Let’s examine some of the most common signs that bed bugs may have made a home on your mattress.
Top Signs of Bed Bugs
Remaining vigilant to these important signs of bed bugs will allow you to eliminate them early.
Small Dark Brown or Black Stains
Check the perimeter of your mattress. You may have to lift up the lip of the mattress, but you’ll notice small dark brown or black stains.
This is bed bug fecal matter. These are the size of small dots, and normally they bleed into the mattress. They’ll look similar to ink stains on the mattress.
In reality, these stains are your blood, which the bed bugs have extracted from you and excreted. These stains will have a distinct, unpleasant smell as well.
Red, Itchy Bites
If you’ve noticed red, itchy welts all over your body, especially on your legs, arms, and midsection, this could be the damage done by these pests. Not everyone shows signs of bites, however.
It’s not uncommon for two people to sleep in the same bed, and only one of them displays signs of a bed bug infestation. If you’ve noticed bites or welts on your body, it’s important to check for other signs around your mattress. Bed bug bites look similar to other bites, like mosquitoes, and you need more evidence to guarantee that’s what’s been biting you.
Bloodstains On Your Sheets and Pajamas
The bloodstains on your sheets and pajamas are most likely from bed bugs that have been crushed while you were sleeping. It’s possible that this is your blood after the bed bug has finished feeding. However, it’s also normal for individuals with bed bug problems to bleed after these bugs bite them.
Bed Bug Shells and Skin
When nymphs (young bed bugs) are growing, they leave behind shells and skin all over the mattress. You’ll notice areas of this shed skin and might even mistake them for bed bugs.
They look just like these pests, but upon closer examination, you’ll notice it’s just the exterior.
Small, Flat, Reddish-Brown Bugs and Eggs
Bed bugs are small and flat, with a reddish-brown color. You may not notice these bugs in the early stages of infestation or during the day. Normally, these pests only move at night when they feed.
Their eggs may be difficult to spot against the backdrop of a mattress, considering they are white in color. You’ll find these eggs in the seams of the mattress, and they’re laid in groups or singular. You’ll also find them on the box spring or behind your headboard.
After a substantial amount of time of dealing with an infestation, you may start to notice full-grown bed bugs. You should be aware of what these pests look like so you can identify them.
What Do Full-Grown Bed Bugs Look Like?
Once bed bugs have been present for a significant amount of time, you may notice these full-grown pests traveling around your mattress. Bed bugs have the following characteristics:
- Reddish-brown in color
- Two antennae
- Flat, oval-shaped bodies that look like apple seeds
- They don’t have wings, so they’re unable to fly
- Adults grow to 5 mm in length
If you want to spot bed bugs, nymphs, or their eggs, it’s important to know where to look. Bed bugs aren’t limited to one area and can be found in multiple locations around your bed or mattress.
Where Do You Find Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs hide anywhere they can find. Normally, the best place to look for these pests is around the perimeter of your mattress. Eggs are normally found between the seams of the mattress and behind the headboard.
Additionally, if you remove the mattress from the box spring, you may find eggs, nymphs, and bed bugs hiding between these two pieces of furniture. Always look around the perimeter, as this is one of the most common areas for bed bugs to hide.
Additionally, you should look in any other obscure areas to find the presence of these bugs. They’re found underneath beds and in screw holes as well.
If you have any clutter underneath your bed, this is also a haven for bed bugs. Anywhere these pests can remain unhidden during the day is where you’ll find them.
If you have a bed bug infestation, it’s important that you remedy the situation early. The sooner you treat the problem, the less expensive and difficult it will be. Contact FindAPestPro to get quality pest elimination services in your area.
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