Knowing if you have bed bugs is trickier than you might think. They can infest several areas of your home before you detect them. There’s also the realization that you have bed bug bites… that might not be bed bug bites at all. Their bites are very similar to mosquito bites. So, how do you figure out if you have bed bugs? Here are some tips.
Physical Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites
People often mistake mosquito bites for bed bug bites. Both make the affected area appear reddish in color, and both cause raised bumps on the skin. The main distinguishing feature between the two bites is that mosquito bites appear in random spots, while bug bites almost always appear in a line pattern. If you determine that you do have bed bites, know that they take up to two weeks to appear on your skin. So if they did come from your bed, you’ve had an infestation for a while.
Looking at Common Hiding Spots
Bed bugs are most often found in beds, but that’s not the only place they like to hide. Some other common hiding spots for bed bugs include furniture fabric, nooks and crannies on furniture near the bed, walls and ceilings, in bags, and on clothes. There’s a solid chance you won’t find all of the bed bugs in your home during your search, so if you have bed bugs, you should call a professional bed bug control team for assistance.
Visual Inspections for Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs generally don’t like interacting with humans when they’re awake, so chances are low that you’ll find them scurrying around. However, they tend to leave evidence behind. Some telltale signs of bed bugs are blood stains on pillows and sheets, dark or rusty spots on walls and mattresses, egg shells and skins. If you see anything that looks like a bed bug, it’s probably evidence of an infestation.
When to Call the Pros
Taking care of a bed bug infestation on your own may seem like an economical option, but unfortunately, bed bugs make themselves especially difficult to eliminate. They’re often in your home at all stages of their life cycle, thus requiring different control methods. They also resist most pesticides, so only a professional pest control crew can truly handle the problem. If you see signs of a bed bug infestation, call the pros as soon as you can before it gets worse.
Bed bugs are great at hiding, but you can find them if you know what to look for and where to search. If you’re seeing signs of bed bugs in your Omaha home, the bed bug control experts at Pro-Staff can help. Call us at 515-279-7378 or contact us online for a free inspection.
