There are plenty of pests out there that don't cause the problems people think they do. Bats aren't going to attack you, earwigs don't crawl in your ears, but in the case of bed bugs, the stories are true. These parasitic insects really do get in your bed and feed on your blood while you sleep.
A bed bug problem can cause sleepless nights, anxiety, and frustration. To make matters worse, they are among the most challenging pests to eradicate from a home. If you have been struggling with these pests, you have come to the right place.
This article will explain how to identify bed bugs in your home and help determine how they got inside in the first place. We'll also provide tips to help you keep bed bugs out of your house in the future. Keep reading to learn how to achieve successful bed bug control in your Bay Area home with the experts from Bay Pest.
Visual Clues: Identifying Bed Bugs By Appearance
The first clue that you have a bed bug problem is usually finding bug bites on your skin. But these red, itchy bumps are easily mistaken for flea or mosquito bites. So, to help you confirm an infestation, we'll describe what bed bugs look like and some of the other clues they leave around the house:
- Bed bugs are about 1/4 of an inch long, mahogany in color before they feed, and flat, broad, and oval.
- After feeding, they turn reddish-brown and become swollen and elongated.
- You may see reddish-brown fecal spots on your mattress, upholstery, or walls.
- You might find pale white empty eggshells or molt skins.
- Sometimes, an infestation will cause a musty odor in the house.
Bed bug bites present slightly differently than bites from other pests, usually in a pattern or cluster of three to five bites. You'll find the bites on skin that's exposed while you're asleep, like arms and legs. Bed bug bites can take two or three days to show up, giving the infestation time to grow before you notice them.
If you look closely at your mattress seams and box spring with a flashlight, you may be able to spot the insects. But, whether you see them or not, if the other signs are present, it is time to call in the pros. Contact us today at Bay Pest to learn more about our bed bug control services or to schedule your no-cost inspection.
Little Hitchhikers: How Bed Bugs Find Their Way Inside
Bed bugs are notorious in the pest control world as expert hitchhikers. Unlike many other pests that find a crack in the exterior of your home to enter, a bed bug infestation starts when someone carries them into your house on their belongings. Here are some of the most common places people accidentally pick up bed bugs:
- Hotels
- Daycare centers
- College dorms
- Nursing homes
- Public transportation
No matter how they get in, contacting a company that offers bed bug control near you is crucial at the first sign of these insects. Bed bugs reproduce rapidly, with females laying one to five eggs every day that mature into reproductive adults in about three weeks. Contact us today at Bay Pest for help getting rid of bed bugs before the infestation becomes severe.
Professional Bed Bug Control: Call In The Experts Right Away
Bed bug control is not a DIY task you should try to take on. These pests can hide in tiny crevices throughout the house, and over-the-counter products only work on the bugs you can see and are not enough to eliminate the eggs. If you suspect an infestation, contact us at Bay Pest immediately for assistance in eradicating them from your home.
Maintaining A Bed Bug-Free Home: Prevention Strategies
After we eliminate your infestation, there are steps you can take to avoid another bed bug problem. Here are some prevention strategies to keep bed bugs out of your house:
- Inspect hotel rooms for bed bug signs before you unpack.
- Vacuum out suitcases when you get home.
- Avoid placing your bags on the floor of public transportation.
- Carefully check secondhand furniture before bringing it home.
The service technicians at Bay Pest are experts in bed bug removal. We have various options depending on the severity of your problem, including chemical and heat treatments and fumigation for larger infestations. Contact us today to learn more about our bed bug control services or to schedule your no-cost inspection.