Bed bugs can be difficult and persistent pests to handle. Thus, knowing the signs of these bugs and how to eliminate them is necessary for early intervention. Remember that bed bugs won’t go on their own, so you should ignore their presence. With the help of a local pest control company, you can recognize an infestation and implement strategies to address it.
How to Know You Have Bed Bugs
It’s important to identify the presence of bed bugs early, so you can treat an infestation promptly and effectively. Here are common signs of bed bugs:
- Live bugs. If you have bed bugs, you may spot reddish-brown bugs around an apple seed’s size. You may find these bugs on the bedding, furniture, or mattress.
- Eggs and nymphs. Find small, white eggs and newly hatched bugs or nymphs.
- Reddish-brown stains. As bed bugs bite, they leave behind small blood dots. Also, brown fecal stains can be found on infested areas like mattresses and sheets.
- Musty odor. The scent of an infestation caused by bed bugs may be sweet or musty. If you notice a strange odor, this could indicate an infestation.
- Bite marks. The bites of bed bugs usually appear in rows or clusters. They can lead to red, itchy welts on your skin. But not all people react to these bites, so they alone are not a dependable indicator.
Eliminating Bed Bugs
After you have identified the presence of bed bugs, it’s time to take swift action. Below are methods to get rid of bed bugs from your home:
- Professional pest control. Pest control experts can evaluate the severity of the bed bug infestation in your house and implement the right treatment measures. They may utilize different methods like heat treatment and insecticides.
- Cleaning and decluttering. To minimize hiding spots for bed bugs, you must declutter and clean the infested area thoroughly. Mattresses, carpets, and furniture should be vacuumed regularly. Make to dispose of vacuum bags in sealed containers.
- Encasements. To prevent bed bugs from escaping or entering, consider encasing box springs and mattresses in special bed zipper covers. Do this on your mattress for one year to kill the bugs.
- Washing and heat treatment. washing curtains, bedding, and clothing in hot water and drying these items on a high heat setting will kill the bed bugs that may have hidden there. Also, you should place shoes and stuffed animals that you cannot wash in the dryer on high for thirty minutes. The bugs can’t withstand high temperatures.
- Isolation. Infested items like luggage or clothing must be isolated to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other parts of your house.
Professional bed bug control, combined with preventive measures and thorough cleaning can restore your home’s livability and your peace of mind. To reclaim your living space from bed bugs and avoid further issues, take swift, decisive action.
