Bed bugs and termites are a homeowner’s worst nightmares. Fortunately, bed bugs aren’t nearly as common. Unfortunately, they’re attracted to all kinds of homes, no matter the sanitation level, and can come home with you from work or travel. These hardy pests are not easy to get rid of once they come indoors with you, so staying on top of the signs of their presence can be your ticket to early identification and elimination.
How To Identify Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are the most commonly misidentified pests. They look similar to other bug species, including ticks, but the signs they leave are different than those of other pests. Bed bugs themselves are reddish-brown and darker when recently fed. Adults grow to be the size of an apple seed and are rounded from the top-down but nearly flat from the side.
Their eggs are clear or milky white and extremely small. Larvae range from white to yellow and shed several skins before reaching maturity. Bed bugs may be too small to spot easily, but they leave a huge mess behind with which to identify them.
Signs Of An Infestation
The first sign of a bed bug problem is often the bites. These itchy red spots occur when bed bugs sink their beaks in and draw blood, usually over a period of fewer than ten minutes. Because bed bugs mainly feed on us while we sleep, they are more likely to hang around resting areas, though they’re by no means the only places they hide. While bed bugs can bite during the day, it is far more common at night. They can’t latch on like ticks can, so they need their prey at its most immobile.
Some of these habits lead to the most easy-to-identify signs of an infestation:
Spots of blood on the sheets or sides of the mattress from squished bugs
Dark fecal spots that spread like marker stains
Shed exoskeletons usually on the edges of the upholstery
Eggs and eggshells, about the size of a pinhead
When bed bug populations grow large, it can be easy to see them in areas nowhere near beds and couches. They are commonly found in electrical appliances, behind outlet covers, in the corners where wall and floor or wall and ceiling meet, in curtains, behind picture frames, and many other discreet locations.
Because they can be widespread throughout the home, bed bugs are often impossible to deal with on your own. Their mobility is one issue, but they can also withstand long periods without food or water, so the typical plastic wrapping may not be an effective treatment unless you’re willing to wait more than a year. The easiest, most effective way to deal with a bed bug problem is by calling the professionals at the first sign.
Call Addison Pest Control At The First Sign Of Bed Bugs
Don’t wait until you’re losing sleep, tossing possessions, or desperate enough to try poisonous DIY methods. Addison Pest Control wants to keep your family safe and happy by eliminating your bed bug problem before your quality of life begins to suffer.
With our range of pest control plans, you can pick an option that works for you, so we can not only eliminate your current pest problem but protect your home in the long term. When you subscribe to a treatment plan with us, we are on-call to keep your Dallas home pest-free. For a free inspection or to schedule your first visit, call or visit our contact page today.