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Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, oval shaped insects that live off of the blood of animals and humans, similar to fleas and ticks. Extremely small, these little pests can go unnoticed, being roughly the size of an apple seed (3/16 to 1/4 inch long). Though Bed Bugs are not known to spread disease, the bites can be painful and itchy, plus they’re just gross! If you think you might be plagued with these tiny insects, here’s a list of signs that may help you decide.

Bite Marks

One of the most common signs of bed bugs is the small reddish bite marks that you will find on exposed skin. These bites will often be painless at first, but will become painful and itchy after a couple hours to a day later. Most people attribute these bite marks to mosquitos, which can be the case at times. If you see these marks, but do not believe you have been exposed to mosquitos, it may be time to dig a little deeper.

Your Sheets May Tell a Story

If you think you have bed bugs, then it’s time to give your bed and sheets a thorough examination. Some of the signs of a bed bug infestation might include small blood spots on your sheets or pillowcases, dark spots (similar to rust) on the bed sheets, walls, and mattress (this is bed bug excrement), shed skin layers from the insects, and a musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands.

If you notice any of these signs and have noticed bite marks, the likelihood that you have an active bed bug problem is very high. However, there’s only one way to be sure you have bed bugs.

Bed Bug Sightings

Obviously, the best way to know if you have bed bugs is if you see one. These small insects are hard to see, as they are the size of an apple seed, but they can be found if you look hard enough. If you spot a bed bug, you will want to begin treatment immediately, as bed bugs reproduce quickly and can easily travel to friends and family through luggage, pets, and your own clothes.

Bed Bug Treatment Options? The first place to start is by doing a deep clean of the entire home. This includes the following:

Wash your bedding, curtains, linens, and cloths (including the ones hanging in your closet) with hot water. Dry all these items on high. If you have sensitive garments or stuffed animals that cannot be washed this way, put them in the dryer on the highest setting to kill any bed bugs.

Clean your mattress with mattress cleaning products. Using a thick, workshop style brush, brush down the mattress’s corners and seams to remove any egg sacks that may be there. Purchase a plastic mattress case that covers the whole mattress and seals shut. This will kill any bed bugs that may still be on your mattress. Clean up any clutter as this could be a place where bed bugs may be hiding.

After doing all you can to prevent the return of bed bugs, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional exterminator to treat the home for bed bugs, as eliminating bed bugs often requires chemical treatment. Be sure your professional uses pet and family friendly products as they will need to treat sensitive areas such as the master bedroom and children’s rooms.

Trust the experts at Pest Assassins to help keep your property in Fall River, Worcester, Providence and Johnston and throughout our service area in Massachusetts and Rhode Island protected from a bed bug infestation. Contact Pest Assassins today!