How to Tell if You Have Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestation can be a real nightmare, as these parasitic insects can deprive you of your sleep, with their bites. Such bites may lead to itchy hives and rashes that may last some time. In some people, allergic symptoms may develop, due to bed bug bites. These parasitic insects are nocturnal and thrive on the blood of warm-blooded animals, like humans. Bed bugs may get attached to your clothes or luggage, during your stay in a hotel room or while you travel by public transport or during your visit a movie theater. But, once they gain entry in your house, they will breed and multiply in numbers, leading to bed bug infestation. You may develop itching and other symptoms, like, bed bugs rash. Of course, these symptoms are signs of bed bugs in your house. But, there are many other indications of bed bug infestation. Wondering how to tell if you have bed bugs? Then, go through this article that can help you with some tips and guidelines about how to detect bed bugs.

Identifying Bed Bug Signs

Bed bugs being nocturnal, it is very unlikely that you come across these insects during day time. But, you have to check their hide outs, so as to confirm their presence. Bed bugs hide inside the cracks and crevices of the bed frame or headstand, seams of the mattress, etc., and come out for feeding only. But a basic idea about the physical features of this insect may prove beneficial for identifying it, if you come across them. Bed bugs have flat bodies with a reddish brown coloration. They are roughly oval in shape and do not have wings. The nymphs of these insects have lighter body color. The adults can grow to a maximum body length of 5 millimeters and a width of 3 millimeters. While feeding on blood of the victim, they inject saliva, so as to prevent clotting. It is due to the saliva that is injected by the bed bugs that their victims develop skin rash and itching. So, now you may be able to identify the insect. The following are some tips about how to tell if you have bed bugs.

• One of the commonly found bed bug signs is the skin rash that is most often found as round raised areas with slight redness and tiny red specks, which are actually dried blood.
• These bugs leave black fecal stains on the mattress, bed frame, etc. these fecal stains are found to be small and are black in color. This is composed of partially digested blood and hence the color.
• You may also find some reddish marks, caused by accidental crushing of bed bugs, while, you are asleep. You may sometimes find the skin shed by these insects.
• Another evidence of bed bug infestation is the presence of white oval eggs and transparent nymphs. Above all, if you detect live or dead insects, then that will be the most concrete evidence for bed bug infestation.

Now, you have a basic idea about how to tell if you have bed bugs. Apart from the beds and mattresses, you must also check for these insects in carpets, furniture, curtains, wall crevices, rugs, etc., in order to find out if you have bed bugs. In case you detect their presence, call pest control professionals for bed bugs treatment. If you want to prevent bed bugs, all you have to do is to maintain the house clean, by regular vacuuming. Cover your mattress with plastic lining to prevent the bed bugs from making it their home. Seal the cracks and crevices in the bed as well as on the wall and other surfaces. While, traveling, check for signs of bed bug infestation in hotel rooms, before opening up your baggage. Once you return, place the baggage in a secluded corner and wash the clothes with hot water, so as to kill the bugs, if there are any. If you find signs of bed bug infestation, approach pest control professionals for bed bugs treatment, for eliminating these parasitic insects.