Experts like EZ Bed Bug Exterminator Baltimore recommend getting rid of bed bugs before they fester and start procreating in a large volume. When they are exterminated on time, fewer damages will be done, and whatever treatment method is administered becomes more effective.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know the signs to look out for when dealing with bed bugs. This is why we’ve created this post. Here will discuss some of the early signs of bed bugs to look out for. This way, you can take action against them on time and ensure the well-being of your entire household. Some of these signs include:
Dark Specks
One of the earliest signs of bed bug infestation is reddish-brown, black, or brown spots on your mattress and bed sheets as well. These spots are the aftermath of droppings or crushed bugs. During the early stage, you could see these spots in a clustered area. But as the infestation grows, it’ll spread to other parts of the house.
Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs thrive the most when they have access to human blood. This is why they visit when you are asleep to feast on your blood undisturbed.
Unfortunately, they leave bite marks after feasting. These marks are usually reddish and itchy. However, some people don’t feel itchy after getting bitten by bed bugs. These dangerous pests are also capable of causing severe allergic reactions in people.
So when you wake up with minor bite marks on your skin, it could be a sign that you have bed bugs around.
Blood Stains
Seeing blood stains on your bed sheets is another early sign of bed bugs. Once they’re done feeding, the spot on your skin where they fed may remain open for some time. While open, blood could still escape from these spots onto the skin’s surface. This blood will eventually get onto the sheets and stain them. Once you notice this, ensure your bed sheets are cleaned under high-temperature settings.
Musty Smell
Have you been noticing a musty or strange smell around your mattress area? If yes, there’s a high chance that bed bugs have invaded your home. This happens because as bed bugs settle in a home, they release their pheromones. These pheromones are known to smell weird and can even induce vomiting in some people.
Seeing A Live Bed Bug
Seeing a live bed bug confirms that these blood-sucking pests are truly present in your home. Live bed bugs are brown and small and are about 5 millimeters in length. In some cases, you may see casings instead of real bed bugs. These are the shed exoskeletons of bed bugs. Once you see these, the next line of action is to determine what treatment option will be the best for you.
What to Do If You See a Bed Bug In Your Home
Launder Fabrics With High Heat
Once you’ve confirmed there are bed bugs in your home, the next step is to remove all the fabrics in the affected area and wash them under high temperatures. This method will help kill off any bed bugs in there.
Importantly, when moving these fabrics, ensure they don’t come in contact with any surface or furniture so the insects don’t jump from them onto other surfaces and contaminate them. Also, don’t forget to clean your washer when you’re done.
Install A Mattress Encasement
Mattress encasement is a perfect option for anyone who doesn’t want to use chemicals to kill bed bugs. These encasements will help trap bed bugs and starve them to death.
They usually come in various materials such as vinyl, silk, cotton, etc. So you should be able to find one that’s perfect for you.
Importantly, you may need to use this mattress encasement for six months or more because bed bugs can survive for a long time without food.
Declutter Your Home
Bed bugs are well known for picking dark and clustered places to hide. So it is best to declutter all clustered areas of your home once you notice signs of bed bugs. Doing this will also help you free up valuable space in your home.
Importantly, other pests like rodents and cockroaches can also take advantage of cluttered areas in your home. So uncluttering won’t get rid of bed bugs alone.
In conclusion, being able to identify the presence of bed bugs in your home early can save you a lot of stress. So always be on the lookout for these signs.
