Bed bugs…just the thought of them is enough to make most people shudder. These small reddish-brown, wingless bugs are about the size of an apple seed and feed on the blood of humans and animals. They burrow in mattresses, bedding, and stuffed animals, hiding during the day and coming out at night to bite. Bed bugs are sneaky and it’s hard to tell if they have taken up residence in your house. However, knowing the signs of a bed bug infestation can help you identify the problem quickly and take action to rid your home of these bugs. Top signs you might have bed bugs include:
- Itchy bite marks on your skin. One of the most common ways that people discover they have bed bugs is by seeing small, red bumps on their skin. These bites are itchy and usually are found on the arms, hands, and legs. They usually occur in clumps of three or four bites, sometimes found in a zigzag pattern. Interestingly, up to 30 percent of people don’t have any reaction to bed bugs and will not develop bite marks.
- Carcasses on the bed. Shell casings from bed bugs are one of the most reliable ways to determine if you have an infestation on your hands. Bed bugs shed their exoskeleton at several points during their life span, leaving carcasses behind. Carcasses are often found along the seam of the mattress or upholstered object but can also be found in holes or cracks in wood.
- Small blood stains or fecal marks on the sheets. Bed bugs are messy pests and leave behind clues that they are in your home. After a bed bug bites it becomes engorged with blood. If you happen to roll over on a bed bug, some of the blood may be expelled from the bug, leaving a small stain on the sheet. Bites can also cause spotting of blood on the bed. Bed bugs leave dark spots of fecal matter on sheets as well, about the size of a penpoint.
- An unusual musty smell. If you notice a strange musty smell that can’t be attributed to another item (wet towels, dirty laundry, etc.), it’s time to investigate further. The smell comes from a combination of bed bug pheromones, dead carcasses, and fecal matter. The smell will grow stronger as the infestation continues.
- Bed bug eggs. Prepare to be grossed out: female bed bugs can lay from one to seven eggs per day. Bed bugs eggs are about the size of a pinpoint and are pearly white in color, however they are visible. A spattering of eggs will be loosely stuck in crevices of mattresses, fabrics, and other objects.
HomePro Pest Control offers a specialized solution to cure even the worst bed bug infestations in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampton Roads. If you notice any signs of infestation, contact us and we’ll eradicate the bed bugs from your home quickly and discreetly.