The first step in controlling any pest is identification. Bed bug bites are often the first clue, but it can be challenging to differentiate these bites from those of other insects. We'll review some of the other signs to watch for so you can be sure which pest you are dealing with.
We'll also review how bed bugs find their way into your home. With some pests, such as ants, certain factors in your yard or home may attract them. But bed bugs are a different story.
Finally, we'll explain how working with a company that provides bed bug control in Crossville can help you quickly eradicate this pest from your home. Read on to learn all about bed bug control, including helpful tips to prevent reinfestation, with the pros at Midstate Termite & Pest Control.
Identifying Bed Bugs: Signs And Symptoms Of An Infestation
Typically, the first sign of bed bugs is itchy red bites on your skin. But people sometimes misidentify the bites as flea or mosquito bites, and reactions can vary from person to person. Bed bug bites usually occur in a line or small cluster, while flea and mosquito bites are more sporadic.
However, with bed bugs, bites alone are not enough to indicate an infestation. But these pests do leave other evidence throughout the house that can help you verify they are the pest that is biting. The following list will give some of the early signs of bed bugs to check for and then provide more information below:
- Blood spots on the sheets
- Fecal spots
- Molt skins
- Seeing actual bed bugs
Bed bugs are most likely to bite while you are sleeping. You are unlikely to wake up to a bite because they inject an anesthetic and anti-coagulant when they bite. Finding little blood spots on your sheets in the morning can point to bed bugs.
Fecal spots are one of the most easily identified indicators of a bed bug problem. These reddish-brown spots are about the size of a period at the end of a sentence. You might see these spots on upholstery, mattresses, and walls.
As bed bugs mature, they shed their skins as they grow. You may see the skins they discard scattered throughout your home. Shed skins look like bed bugs but are translucent and look like empty shells.
Of course, spotting the bugs themselves is the surest sign of all. Bed bugs are about 1/4 of an inch long and have six legs and antennae. Before they feed, they are mahogany in color, flat and oval, but after feeding, they become swollen and elongated and are more reddish brown.
If you suspect an infestation in your home, contact a bed bug control company near you, such as Midstate Termite & Pest Control. These pests breed rapidly and can be challenging to get rid of. The pros at Midstate know how to deal with these pests and can help you get back to having a pest-free home.
Little Hitchhikers: How Bed Bugs Find Their Way Inside
Bed bugs are sneaky little pests who can find their way inside your home in various ways. These insects are not like ants or other household pests that come in from the yard. Bed bugs are an insect that someone in your home accidentally carries inside.
You can find bed bugs anywhere people congregate, including in schools, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, and public transportation. Bed bug bites can take up to two weeks to appear on a person, and they may unknowingly carry them in a briefcase, purse, or backpack as they go about their day.
Something as simple as putting your bags down on a bus or your purse on the floor in the library is enough for these little hitchhikers to catch a ride to your home. Children may bring them home from school if another child in their class has a bed bug infestation at home. If you live in an apartment building or condominium, bed bugs can travel from another unit and find their way into your home.
Hotels are one of the most common places to find these pests. They frequently hide behind the headboards in hotel rooms, waiting for their next opportunity to feed. They'll also hitch a ride home with you in your suitcases.
Another typical start to an infestation in homes is when people buy second-hand items, especially mattresses, box springs, chairs, and couches. Whenever you purchase antique or used furniture, consider having a pest control professional check for bed bug signs on the item just to be safe.
If bed bugs have already made their way into your house, you can help prevent them from spreading further by contacting a company that provides bed bug control near you. Midstate Termite & Pest Control is a local company with decades of experience handling bed bugs and other pests. Call today to learn more about our services or to schedule an inspection.
Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite: Contact The Pros Right Away
Bed bug removal is never a DIY job. These bugs are famous for being one of the most challenging pests to get rid of in a home, partially due to their elusive nature. Bed bugs will hide throughout your home in places that are impossible to reach with over-the-counter products.
After feeding, bed bugs move to secluded areas where they digest for several days, mate, and lay eggs. Bed bugs can hide inside electrical switchplates, wallpaper, and even behind picture frames. Around the bed, they will sneak behind mattress buttons or even inside the box spring.
Bed bugs are also prolific breeders, which makes them harder to eradicate. Female bed bugs lay up to 5 eggs daily and average around 540 eggs over their one-year lifespan. These eggs become mature adults that can reproduce in about three weeks, which helps explain how quickly a couple of bed bugs can become a severe infestation.
These little pests are also incredibly resilient, making them even harder to get rid of. Bed bugs can survive temperatures close to freezing and up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. After feeding, adults can hide out in your house for several months without another meal if necessary.
Store-bought bed bug treatments often send these pests into hiding, or they will run for shelter in a nearby room or apartment. These products need direct contact with the bug to work and only last a short time before they dry and become ineffective. They also aren't enough to destroy the eggs that will soon hatch, starting the whole process again from the beginning.
The safest and most efficient way to deal with bed bugs is to work with a local, licensed pest control company. Midstate has the tools and experience to find bed bugs in every nook and cranny they may hide in, and we are here to help you eradicate these pests. We will walk you through every step of the complex process, ensuring you have a home free of bed bugs.
For the best bed bug pest control near you, contact the pros at Midstate Termite & Pest Control. Since 1953 our family-owned company has been helping our neighbors control bed bugs and other pests. Call today with any questions or to schedule an inspection and get back to having the pest-free home you deserve.
Long-Term Bed Bug Prevention: Tips To Prevent Reinfestation
After we get rid of bed bugs in your home, it is time to learn how to prevent a reinfestation. Careful vigilance can help you keep these pests from getting into your house. Here are some tips for preventing another infestation:
When trying on clothing in a store, check for suspicious stains and avoid placing your belongings on the floor or cushioned dressing room seats.
Check your children's backpacks and jackets each day after school for any signs of the bugs.
Check for bed bugs in hotel rooms and carry a flashlight to help with close inspection of the mattress, behind the headboard, and on furniture.
After traveling, wash all your clothing on the highest heat setting possible and vacuum out suitcases.
One of the best bed bug control techniques for your home is regularly inspecting beds, including pet beds, for signs like blood spots and fecal matter. The sooner you identify an infestation, the easier it will be to eliminate it. If you notice any signs of bed bugs, contact us at Midstate Termite & Pest Control for professional bed bug control assistance.