Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans have had a bedbug infestation in their home or know someone who has?
Bed bugs aren’t just something that travelers and hostels have to suffer with. They can come into homes anywhere around the world and, once they’re in, they can cause a lot of trouble!
If you get bed bugs, it doesn’t have to be a cause for panic. There are ways you can easily get rid of them before they become too much of a pest, and that all starts with spotting them quickly.
Image by JayMantri
Take a look at our guide to the early signs of bed bugs to find out more.
- Signs of Faecal Matter
One of the firsts signs of a bed bug infestation is fecal matter. Although that sounds awful, the fecal matter of bed bugs isn’t the worst. It’s actually the blood they’ve taken from you, digested, and then excreted.
Fecal matter from bed bugs is usually just a tiny dot that can bleed into the fabric or become smeared. A lot of people say they look like small ink stains on bed sheets, so watch out for those!
- Bloodstains on PJs and Bed Sheets
Bloodstains on your pajamas or bed sheets are another sign that you might need bed bug treatment soon. This blood appears as you roll over in your sleep and crush the tiny bugs, releasing the blood they’ve been snacking on. On your PJs, you might also have small bloodstains near where the bed bug has been feeding.
- Bed Bug Skin and Shells
When bed bugs are in their younger stages, they shed their skin 5 times before they reach full maturity. As you can have hundreds of bed bugs at any time, the shredded skin can become quite noticeable! The skins will look just like a bed bug, but they’ll be translucent rather than brown.
You may also find the shells of bed bugs around your home. A bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs very quickly, so again these can become very obvious! If you see them, search for pest control near me as soon as possible.
- Red and Itchy Bites
Bed bugs are known for biting people overnight to feed on their blood (like tiny vampires!). You won’t notice when this is happening as it’s completely painless, but the bites can start to hurt and itch later on. They’re also likely to become very red and irritated, and they could be the first sign of an infestation.
These bites can crop up on any area of your skin that’s exposed while you’re sleeping, unlike flea bites which are usually around the ankles. Often bed bugs will group together, so you might find your bites follow lines or zig zags along your skin. They’re usually flat and red, but they can become raised when irritated.
If you get bed bug bites, they should clear up on their own in about a week or so. However, you might want to get an anti-itch cream and take antihistamines to reduce the itching and inflammation.
If you have these bites but no other signs of bed bugs, don’t ignore them! It’s common for bites to be the first sign of an infestation, so make sure you look into pest control services straight away.
- A Nasty Odor
A lot of bed bug infestations leave behind a nasty odor. This is the smell that bed bugs give off, and it’s usually quite musty and foul. If this suddenly appears in your sleeping area, be warned that it’s probably bed bugs!
- Bed Bugs Themselves
Although very small, it is possible to see bed bugs with the human eye. Adult bugs are about the size of an apple seed, and they’re a dull, brown color. Their bodies are oval-shaped and quite flat, though after feeding they can swell and take on a reddish hue.
Bed bugs don’t fly but they can move very quickly! As soon as you spot a bed bug, it’s time to take action.
What to Do if You Have Bed Bugs
If you’ve spotted a bed bug infestation, you’re probably going to want to deal with it as soon as possible. Nobody wants small bugs crawling over them while they’re asleep! Your first step should be to call pest control services, like Custom Bed Bug who specializes in getting rid of these pesky creatures.
You can also do some home preparation to start ridding your house of bed bugs. Start by cleaning all of your linens, including bed linens, blankets, and even curtains on a high-temperature wash. Use a brush with hard bristles to scrub the seams of your mattress before hoovering the entire thing, being careful to get into every crevice.
You should then vacuum the entire room that bed bugs have been found in, including any soft furnishings like sofas and cushions. Once pest control has visited, encase your mattress in a cover that’s tightly woven and impenetrable to stop any remaining bugs from getting in or out. A bed bug that’s fed can live for a year, so be sure to leave your cover on for at least this long!
Remember the Early Signs of Bed Bugs
It’s vital that everyone knows the early signs of bed bugs so that they can spot an infestation quickly and call in pest control. The longer you leave bed bugs, the more chance there is of them spreading to other households, which you definitely don’t want. Be sure to remember these signs and tips for what to do when you have an infestation and keep your home pest-free.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out more on our website! We have plenty more tips to keep your home safe, cozy, and looking its best on a budget.
