A bed bug infestation is a serious issue. Because of their rapid rate of multiplying, they’re one of the hardest pests to get rid of. More worryingly is the fact that they can be in an environment for months without being noticed. And this is why people ask this question, “How Can I Tell if we Have Bed Bugs?”
It’s impossible to get rid of something that you don’t even know exists. The same applies to bed bugs. The cost of hiring a professional pest exterminator is not the first thing to consider when you want to get rid of bed bugs. First thing you should do is to be sure if truly you’re suffering from a bed bug infestation or it’s something else entirely.
How Can I Tell if We Have Bed Bugs?
If you are unsure about bed bugs being in your home, there are three ways to ascertain your suspicions:
Blood Stains on the Beddings
Bed bugs are insects that feed on blood from warm-blooded animals. That makes you a major target for them. The air you exhale, carbon dioxide (CO2), is a gas that bed bugs have been researched to be attracted to. That’s why bed bugs can be attracted to your home.
Furthermore, it is why bed bugs can know where to find you. Bed bugs are known to hide in floor cracks and cervices. However, bed bugs also hide in your beddings so as to get easy access to your skin. When they’re killed on the bedding, it is followed with a spot of blood that is stored in their body.
Bed Bug Bites on Your Skin
These Pests have to pierce your skin before they can bite you. During this process, they release saliva that makes your skin to react according to its sensitivity.
Have you ever woken up to find red bumps on your skin? Have you recently discovered that some parts of your skin are swollen? Are experiencing welts in areas of your skin like your ankle, elbow, neck?
These are areas where bed bugs love to bite humans since they’re usually uncovered while you’re in bed. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, you have bed bugs in your home/environment.
Other Ways to Tell if You Have Bed Bugs…
By Searching for Them
Another way to be sure about bed bugs is to search for them. The first two points mentioned above only deals with the sign of bed bugs. This point, however, deals with intentionally searching for them. Do you know what to look for when searching for bed bugs? Here are a few characteristics to look out for:
- Insects that are reddish-brown
- Flat-shaped insects that are less than 5mm long
- Insects that you see more often at night rather than during day time
To find bed bugs faster, check around the edges of your bed, in your beddings and underneath your carpet/rug.
Have you been asking this question, “How Can I Tell if we Have Bed Bugs?” The tips mentioned above will help you to know if you have bed bugs in your immediate area. And when you discover the presence of bed bugs, get professional help to deal with it as quickly as possible.
