Bed bugs fall in the class of public health pests. While these pests are generally not dangerous – in that they do not carry any secondary diseases, they can still negatively affect your health. Bed bugs feed on human blood, have a fast reproductive rate, and hide in dark places like household furniture, beds, pillows, and other areas. Depending on skin type, some people are highly allergic to bed bug bites.
The bites may also create openings or wounds in the skin for secondary skin infections. Added to these disadvantages, people living in bed bug-infested homes may also suffer mental health problems like insomnia and anxiety. Getting rid of this problem requires attention to detail. This article by A1 Bed Bug Exterminator San Antonio takes you through identifying bed bugs and the early signs of infestation.
Identifying Bed Bugs
The first step to kicking against a bed bug infestation in your home is identifying the problem. Bed bugs often have a similar appearance to other insects. Knowing how to tell insects apart can save you time, money and protect your dwelling from an infestation.
Adult bed bugs are fast-moving and often light or reddish-brown in appearance. They may also appear black in low light conditions. Up close, they have six legs, two antennae, and are oval-shaped. They are small, flat, and about 4 to 5 mm in diameter.
The nymphs have a different appearance. They are often translucent, milky white, or light brown, depending on their stage of growth. After sucking the human blood, the nymphs go from white to bright red and become brown and then black over time. Knowing how to identify the problem is one part of the solution; another part is identifying the early signs of the problem so you can contact a pest control company.
The Early Signs Of Bed Bug Problem
Watch Out For The Shells And Eggs
Bed bugs often leave behind their exoskeleton or shells as they grow. You may begin to notice old shells that look like dry skin in areas of our home. You’re likely living with bed bugs if you have come across these casings around your pillow, beds, furniture, or other areas of your home.
Bed bug eggs are another major indication to watch out for. These pests reproduce fast through eggs. The eggs are often white and laid in clusters. The eggs are often small and may go unnoticed when you fail to pay attention. Noticing one or both of these signs can confirm your fears.
Itchiness From Bite Spots
Bed bugs bite and suck blood from humans. If you have noticed bite spots on your body, there is a high chance that you are dealing with a bed bug problem. When bed bugs bite, they leave an itchy sensation on your skin. While the bites may not be directly dangerous, they may irritate your skin and lead to wounds. These wounds may become a site of secondary infections that may affect your health.
To ascertain bed bug bites, watch out for bites in areas of your body, including your neck, arms, thighs, legs, and others. Bed bug bites often have a distinct pattern that can be differentiated from mosquito bites.
Bloodstain On The Sheets
Many people are unable to sleep in one position. The twisting and turning in your sleep may cause you to crush some bed bugs while they’re feeding. The crushed insects leave blood stains on your sheets. Another cause of bloodstains on your sheets may be the aftermath of their feeding frenzy. If the feeding spot does not clot early, it may push blood out and leave stains on your sheets. When you notice any of these, you need to call on a bed bug exterminator.
Dark Or Rust Colored Spots
Bed bugs love dark areas in the home, especially areas that witness high human traffic. They love to be close to their food source, and this means that you’ll mostly find them around your bed, pillows, furniture, and other areas. A careful inspection of these common areas in your home may reveal their excrement – in the form of dark or rust-colored spots. You can also notice stains on the walls and furniture. All of these are common tell-tale signs of bed bugs in your dwelling.
Musty Odor
Bed bugs are often associated with an unexplained damp or musty odor. If your home has an uncharacteristic smell, or you notice an unusual smell around your bed or in corners of your home, it may be a bed bug problem.
Bed bug exterminators are professionals at identifying and solving this problem. If you have noticed one or more of these signs, call them today.
