I Found A Few Bed Bugs – Does That Mean In Dealing With An Infestation?

Finding a few bed bugs on your property isn’t a huge deal, right? It likely means that a couple of bugs luckily found their way into your home. Wrong! If this was the case, the situation would be so much easier. However, this is not the case at all. As soon as you spot a bedbug in your home, it is time to call a professional. Hope the bug you are looking at isn’t a pregnant female or your problems could be worse than you could ever imagine. Below, you’ll learn more about the problems linked to seeing one or two bedbugs in your home.

What Is A Single Bug Such A Problem?

What is so different about the bed bug? You probably kill ants or ladybugs in your home all the time and never call a professional exterminator. Unlike many insects, the bed bug is a social creature, meaning where there is one, there are probably hundreds lingering around the corner. In addition to this, they are prolific breeders. An adult female bug possesses the ability to give birth to 500 babies in a lifetime. While specimens will be harder than ever to procure, you can tell if you are dealing with a male or female by examining the abdomen of the bug. A female bug will have a more rounded abdomen, while the males will be a bit pointier. Both only grow to 7 to 10 millimeters in length so spotting them will be hard. You’re lucky if you spot a bedbug in your home.

What Are Bed Bugs Hard To Spot

They are only about the size of an apple seed. Since they are reddish-brown, they have the ability to blend in with your surroundings. Plus, they are as slim as a credit card. All these things can contribute to why bed bugs are so hard to spot, but what it ultimately comes down to is their quick-witted nature. These creatures are smart enough to avoid detection. These pests are going to adjust their behaviors to match yours. If you sleep at night, they’ll feed at night and vice versa. Combine this with the fact that some people don’t react to the bites, and you can likely see why it takes a professional most of the time to determine whether you are dealing with bed bugs.

Confirming The Bed Bugs Infestation

Just because you are waking up with bite marks doesn’t necessarily mean you are dealing with bed bugs. It could be possible that you have a case of mites, fleas, or mosquitoes. These creatures are also common in Chicago. They bite in the same areas and their bite marks look similar. It is imperative to confirm the infestation. This is something most Chicago pest management firms can and are willing to do. However, you can take on the task yourself as long as you know what you’re doing. Keep in mind that on many occasions, people have mistaken bed bugs for cockroach nymphs, carpet beetles, and fleas. Bloodstains – Bed bugs are parasitic creatures, meaning they need blood to survive. They get that blood from living hosts, preferably humans. Bedbugs can leave stains and droplets. There are also times when you roll over and squash the bugs during the process. This leads to the same conclusion, blood on your sheets. Exoskeletons – Like a snake or similar reptile, the bed bug will shed its skin. The skin is clear, delicate, mottled, and near translucent. It will look like a bed bug but with a clear color rather than a brownish-red tint. Eggs/Egg Casings – You do not want to find eggs or egg casings on your property, as it means more bugs are on the way or soon to be. These items are only about the size of a pinpoint, but you’ll see them if they are there. Fecal Matter – Fecal matter is disgusting any way you look at it. Bedbug feces will usually appear on the sheets or furniture. Their fecal matter will be black, like inkblots. Bite Marks – Not everyone reacts to bed bugs bites. When they do, they’ll look like that of a mosquito or flea bite. They’ll also appear in similar spots on the body. However, it should be noted that with bed bugs, the bites appear on the legs, shins, neck, face, shoulders, ankles, arms, and hands. With fleas and mites, the bites will also appear in the same places, but there is always the potential for them to appear on other locations of the body as well. Musty, Sweet Odors – Do you love that beautiful, sweet soda pop syrup smell? It can be quite enticing, except when it’s coming from bedbugs. Unfortunately, this sweet little smell can come from bedbugs, but it usually comes only in larger infestations.

Start Your Search For Bed Bugs!

Any time bed bugs are in the equation, it is best to get a professional involved. However, there are things you can do to identify an infestation. However, you do have to take extreme care not to spread the infestation to further parts of the home. This is the biggest threat and why it is recommended to get an expert in on the situation as soon as possible. With this in mind, you’ll want to take extreme care when performing the following tasks. Start by relocating the bed and bedroom furniture. Move them a couple of feet from the walls if they aren’t already. This forces the bugs that haven’t taken up residence on the mattress to travel up the legs to access food. This allows you to place traps under the feet of the furniture, essentially forcing the bugs to travel through the traps before reaching the host. If you’re using traps, the bedbugs won’t escape. Try fixing the problem using your dryer. Throw your sheets and clothes in your dryer and dry your items using the hottest temperature. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to begin taking steps to eliminate the remaining bedbugs in your home. Contact a professional exterminator because they’ll help you fix the problem right away.

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