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ShareAre you waking up tired and full of itchy bites?
You might be one of the millions who struggle with the notorious pest called bed bug. This might be a common insect in United State homes, but it’s nevertheless annoying and very disturbing to homeowners.
That’s why we have a dedicated place that will help you learn how to identify bed bugs and find the best solution for this infestation.
Let’s jump right in!
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are little, brownish insects that dwell in areas where humans are mostly present, such as bedrooms, motels, and other places where they have easy access to food. Keep in mind that bed bugs need our blood to survive and thrive so they developed several “hunting” strategies. Bed bugs can smell the carbon dioxide (“CO2”) we expel from our lungs and the hormones we make as warm-blooded creatures.
While bed bugs might sometimes look like other bugs in different development stages, they are quite unique, flat, and very hard to get rid of. In addition, bed bugs are very hungry and leave itchy bite marks every night, and some people even have severe allergic reactions.
So, proper management and pest control is a must when it comes to bed bugs.
Signs of a Bedbug Infestation
Most of the time people suspect they might have unwanted guests in their bed when they wake up with itchy bites in the morning, but those bite marks can be caused by other insects.
So, there are a few more ways to check for bed bugs.
Here are a couple of suggestions that might reveal the infestation:
- The bites have left bloodstains on your linens;
- Excrement markings that are very dark and rusty on linens, beds, and even walls;
- Eggshells, skin flakes, and fecal stains on bed frames and other surfaces;
- An unpleasant scent caused by the smell glands of the bugs;
How to Identify Bed Bugs?
Many people are wondering what bed bugs look like, but before we dive into details it’s best to develop a strategy to catch them, confirm the infestation and deal with it in the right way. Here are all the steps you need to take as soon as you notice early signs of bed bugs in your home.
Set Up Traps
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above but don’t see an adult bedbug you need to capture it first. Set up durable interceptor traps under each bed leg and add a few sticky traps for bed bugs on the floor and between your mattress and the bed frame.
These types of traps are the fastest and most efficient way to capture crawlers that disturb you during the night and help you with the identification process.
Identify the Insects
Bed bugs are not able to escape from the interceptor traps as they are not good climbers, and the adhesive on the glue traps will hold them there permanently. The bed bugs look like small, very flat, and brownish bugs without any wings.
Take a closer look at the bed bug pictures presented above and confirm you are dealing with these pests.
Find the Solution
Once you confirm the infestation you can put back the interceptor and glue traps, as they will eliminate all the bed bugs that come out to feed during the night.
Considering bed bugs are very persistent and multiply fast you should also focus on:
- Cleaning the entire room and bed with specialized bed bug-killing sprays
- Washing the linens, towels, and clothes with the detergent that will eliminate bed bug eggs and adult pests
- Sprinkling Diatomaceous Earth powder in all the crevices where the bed bugs might hide
- Calling professional pest control to manage severe infestations
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to identify the bed bugs in your home, bedroom, or any other place that might be under infestation. Bed bugs might be small and able to hide in the tiniest holes but there are ways to discover and manage the nasty pests in just a few easy steps.
Our detailed guide will help you detect and eliminate most of the bed bugs, but if you need additional help it’s always a good idea to call professional exterminators. Visit Best In Pest Control to get free quotes from the top exterminators in your area.