Bed bug infestations continue to grow. If you haven't come in contact with them yet, it won't be long before you do. When you do, it is important that you know a few things about these bugs. Learning these facts could prevent an infestation, or severely shorten one.
What A Bed Bug Looks Like
You've probably seen bed bugs on the news. Perhaps you've seen these large, flat, oval bugs with their rust coloration and crease lines on their abdomens. But those blown-up pictures won't prepare you to identify a bed bug when you see one. Bed bugs are tiny. Really tiny. An adult bed bug is only about 4.5 mm long. Though visible to the naked eye, you won't be able to easily see its visual characteristics. We recommend looking for other, more obvious visual references, such as:
Bed bugs will huddle together.
There are likely to be tiny white eggs scattered around where bed bugs are living.
You'll see shed skins, black feces, and dried brown blood staining. All of this might be in a small area the size of your thumbnail.
You may see white or tan insects with rust-colored insects. Bed bug nymphs start white, turn tan, and eventually become rusty brown.
Bed bugs have transparent skin. This can make them appear more black than rusty red. If a bed bug has had a blood meal, it will be redder. If it has not, it will appear more black because of the black feces visible on the inside of the insect.
If a bed bug has had a blood meal, it will not be flat. It will be bloated.
The Threat Bed Bug Bites Present
It is important that you understand the potential threat bed bugs can present to you and everyone living in your home. While there are no documented cases of people becoming sick from bed bugs, there is laboratory evidence that they may be a vector for disease. One disease scientists know bed bugs can spread is Chagas disease. Whether or not they spread it outside of the laboratory is left to be determined. But, even if they don't, they can cause other health concerns.
Ongoing infestation can lead to sleep deprivation, which can have a harmful impact.
Ongoing bites can lead to anemia. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, and more.
Bed bug bites can become large, painful, itchy welts. When these are scratched, they can become open, infected wounds. This is more of a concern for children than adults.
What Bed Bug Bites Look Like
Many bugs bite you. Look for the following criteria to determine whether or not you're being bitten by bed bugs.
Absence of necrosis: You will not see an ulcer at the center of a bed bug bite.
Morning bites: If you wake up and find bites on your skin, it is possible that you're being bitten by bed bugs. Keep in mind that it can take hours for bed bug bites to become noticeable.
Patterns: Each bed bug bites more than once—often three times. This causes bed bug bites to look like they follow a pattern across the skin rather than appearing randomly.
Neck bites: Bed bugs tend to bite near the head because they are attracted to the carbon dioxide we emit while sleeping. They will rarely bite the ankles and feet, as fleas do, but it is possible.
Rash: There is usually a rash associated with bed bug bites.
How Bed Bugs Get Into Your Eureka Home Or Business
Bed bugs are somewhat unique among pests in that they don't live outside and they hitchhike into your home passively. The only other pest we deal with that spreads like this are certain species of pantry pest. This is important to understand. You're not going to be able to keep bed bugs out by treating the exterior of your home. You need to consider preventative measures.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
It is best to have a licensed pest professional eliminate bed bugs. Our team at Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions has the experience and tools to get rid of your problem quickly and discreetly. Reaching out to the professionals will prevent you from wasting time, money, and energy, and prolonging your suffering. If you live in Eureka, contact us. Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions can help you get rid of all the bugs in your home.