How do you know you have bed bugs? Often mistaken for fleas, bed bugs follow distinct patterns that can determine their presence. These are seven major signs.
According to one study, about 92% of people who had reported a bug infestation actually had a bed bug infestation. If you think you have a bed bug infestation, you’re definitely not alone. However, if you’ve never had a bed bug infestation before, you may be wondering how to tell if you have bed bugs or not. Often mistaken for fleas, bed bugs follow distinct patterns that can determine their presence. These are a few major signs.
- You Can Smell It
One of the major signs that you have a bed bug infestation is that you’ll be able to smell something that’s off. It might be strong and unpleasant. Some people have said it smells like a musty wet towel. It’ll smell because bed bugs release pheromones. When you have a lot of them releasing these pheromones, you’ll definitely notice a strong smell. If your bedroom smells like a bad locker room, you’ll probably want to do an inspection of your house. Bed bugs aren’t just confined to your home, either. You may end up finding them in someone else’s house or a hotel. You may unknowingly bring them back to your place.
- You Have Itchy Red Spots When You Wake Up
If you constantly wake up with itchy red spots, the bed bugs may have found you first. These bites are normally red and small. In some cases, they’re also itchy. The bite will normally be inflamed as well, but some people don’t react to the bug bite. These bites don’t always have to be bed bug bites, but if they’re bitten in a line, you may have more evidence that it’s a bed bug and not a mosquito or flea.
- There Are Spots on Your Sheets or Mattress
Sometimes you’ll wake up in the morning and notice that there is blood on your sheets. If there is no other explanation for it, it might be a bed bug infestation. When you sleep, you may end up rolling over and squashing a bed bug that is feeding on your skin. This means that the blood will stain your sheets or pajamas. In addition to finding blood on your sheets, you should also check the mattress as well. If there are dark spots anywhere on your bed, this could be their leftover fecal matter. You should get some gloves before you touch them, but they’ll normally smear when you touch them as well. If you smell them, it’ll also smell off.
- You Find Bed Bug Shells
If you search hard enough, you may even be able to find the shells and exoskeletons of the bed bugs. These shells normally look like husk-like specks, and they’re usually white. When bed bugs grow, they shed their skin, and they may end up leaving it all around your bed. You can normally find these near your headboard and even on or in your mattress. Bed bugs also tend to like living in wood or fabric rather than metal or plastic.
- You Bought Used Furniture Recently
If you’ve bought used furniture recently, then your probability of having a bed bug infestation may be higher. The seller of the used furniture may not have known that there were bed bugs on the furniture. If you bring them into your home, they may find other places in your home to hide in.
- Your Friends or Neighbors Have Bed Bugs
If you haven’t bought furniture recently but think you have a bed bug infestation, you should check to see if any of your neighbors or friends have bed bugs. Bed bugs can be spread by person to person contact. If you’ve been in a friend or neighbor’s home recently, and then they find out that they have bed bugs, chances are high that you might as well. Even if you have the cleanest house, bed bugs can still find a way to hide in your place and set up camp.
- Check Their Favorite Hiding Places
If you suspect that you have bed bugs, you should check some of their favorite hiding places. Find a flashlight and get a flat, stiff object. For sanitary reasons, you may even want to get some protective gloves. Take these tools and check around the mattress and bed. Check the crevices, cracks, fabrics, and even the folds in the furniture. While you’re looking, you should check for the actual bugs, feces, eggs, or even molted exoskeletons. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, so that’s why they hide in beds and mattresses.
Get Rid of the Bed Bugs
Getting rid of bed bugs if you have them can be difficult. First, you can try cleaning all of your fabrics, including sheets, clothes, and curtains. You should also vacuum everywhere in your house. Right after you vacuum, make sure that you empty the bag into a garbage can outside of your house. If none of these tips work, check out this link: https://www.custombedbug.com/blog/5-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs-fast-in-portland-oregon/.
Learn About Other Signs That Mean You Have Bed Bugs
These are just a few of the signs that you have bed bugs. In the event that you do notice all of these signs of bed bugs in your house, you may want to consider hiring a pest control company to help get rid of them. There are things you can do on your own, but having a professional handle it will be the best way to ensure that they stay gone.
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