We have all heard of bed bugs, but some people believe them to be a myth. We are here to tell you that they are very real and they are on the rise. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bed bugs are on the rise across America mostly due to the lack of knowledge surrounding the tiny pests. With this in mind, it’s important to protect your home and your loved ones from these small and harmful bugs.
In this article we take a look at what bed bugs are and what you can do to prevent these tiny pests from entering your home.
What exactly are bed bugs and how can you spot them?
Bed bugs are small creatures that feast on blood and cause irritating and itchy bites on their hoists. Unlike other insects, they spread disease and can cause extreme health issues and discomfort in the homes they infest. The problem with bed bugs is that they are hard to identify as young bed bugs are actually transparent and incredibly tint, making them difficult to see against bed sheets. However, as they develop they become brown in color and can grow to the size of an apple seed and their oval shaped bodies become easier to see on your bed or mattress. They are also experts at hiding - so they know how to trick the eye! Although spotting and identifying bed bugs can be difficult, it’s vital that you check for them often to catch an infestation in its tracks. Treating a minor infestation is far less costly! In order to do this, check for these pests everytime you clean and change your bedding - especially after coming home from a holiday or trip away. There are also other signs you can look out for. Bed bugs often leave red bites on their hosts but they also leave physical signs behind in the process. If you end up crushing a bed bug in your sleep, they’ll leave behind a rust color stain on your sheets and they will also leave small dark spots of excrement on your bed. You can also check for eggs that resemble small shells and this is the clearest sign of an infestation. As stated previously, bed bugs are good at hiding. With this in mind, you need to make sure to check the smallest, tightest spaces in your bedroom, from drawers and appliances to loose wallpaper, electrical receptacles and even wall-to-ceiling junctions! Make sure to check any second-hand furniture you bring into your home and if you have a shared laundry facility - be extra careful! Other preventative measures include placing a mattress protector on your bed, reducing clutter and vacuuming often. Even if you don’t find any signs of bed bugs in your home - it’s still important to keep looking every time you clean your home. Now that you have the knowledge, you are able to take the right preventative measures. However, if you sense you may have an infestation, it’s important you call in the professionals to examine and treat your home. Contact Twin-Boro Termite and Pest Control today and keep the bed bugs away!
