If you think you might have bed bugs, it’s important to act early. Don’t worry, though; you’re not alone in this fight.
97% of pest professionals treat bed bugs every year. Though it’s a common problem, it’s not a pleasant one, and early detection can save you money and emotional distress.
Keep reading to learn the early signs of bed bugs to keep your home protected.
1. Rust Colored Stains
If you notice rust-colored stains on your pillowcases or sheets, you may have bed bugs. These stains are the bed bug’s fecal spots.
Unfortunately, these fecal spots are a result of the bed bugs taking your blood for a meal and digesting it. If you notice these stains, you’ll probably notice some of the other bed bug signs listed below as well.
2. Red Itchy Welts
One of the sure signs of bed bugs is red itchy welts on your arms, face, shoulders, hands, back, feet, or anywhere else on your body that isn’t covered while in bed.
You could already have bed bugs before you or one of your family members gets bitten. Usually, the area around the bite will swell, and it will become itchy.
However, not everyone reacts the same way to bed bug bites, and some don’t show any signs at all. They are also very similar looking to other insect bites, such as mosquitoes.
If you have other signs of bed bugs and are also getting bitten, it may be time to call the professionals. Visit this page to learn more about how to remove bed bugs.
3. Bloodstains on Sheets and Pjs
Another troubling bed bug sign is bloodstains that can occur in your bedding and on your pajamas. This can happen if you roll around in your sleep and crush the bed bugs before they are able to digest their meal.
It can also occur on your pajamas if your skin bleeds when you get bitten. If you wake up and notice anything like this, begin searching for other signs immediately.
4. Skins and Shells
When bed bugs go through molt stages, they leave behind shredded skin and eggshells.
The skin will look like a bed bug but will be translucent. It can be a variety of sizes, as bed bugs shed their skin as they grow.
5. Eggs and Live Bugs
Finding bed bugs’ eggs can be difficult because they’re tiny, usually only 1cm in size. They are a pearly white color and are often glued in the mattress seam or on the headboard. They can be laid in clusters or individually.
You can also check for any live bugs, which are most active at night. However, this will be harder to find during the early stages of infestation.
They generally keep close to their food supply, which is blood, so check around your mattress and box spring regularly.
If the infestation gets extreme, bed bugs can also be found in your ceiling and walls.
Know the Early Signs of Bed Bugs
Understanding the early signs of bed bugs is not a pleasant business, but it’s an important one.
If you have any question that your home is infested with bed bugs, check for these signs and then call the professionals. You’ll be glad you did.
If you’d like to learn something else today, find more informative content like this on our blog!
Leave a Reply