Bed buds; theyâre mythical, arenât they?
Sadly not. In fact, theyâre way more common than you think. And recent research suggests the US is in the midst of a bed bug pandemic!
Commonly picked up while traveling, bed bugs hitch a lift on your clothes, luggage, and purse, all the way back to your house, where they crawl out and make themselves comfortable. Forget the stigma that only dirty houses can be affected, as these pesky mites donât discriminate.
Keep reading to learn the 6 most common signs you have bed bugs at home.
1.Youâre Covered in Bites
One of the first indications of a bed bug infestation is the appearance of red itchy bites on your skin. But how can you tell theyâre from a bed bug, rather than another household pest?
Bed bugs love exposed skin, so theyâll nibble on any body parts that arenât covered by clothes or blankets during the night. Think hands, feet, bare arms, and even your face.
Another telltale sign is the pattern of your bites. These simple-minded critters bite in straight lines, making them easy to distinguish. The only saving grace is that you wonât feel them nip, as they kindly inject you with a numbing agent first!
2. Youâve Found Droppings
Itâs gross to think about, but bed bugs are messy creatures and they will leave droppings all around your house. Since they feed on blood, bed bug droppings are dark in color, with an appearance similar to ground coffee.
If you think youâve found a dropping, try rubbing it between your fingers. If it smears and leaves a reddish color on your hands, chances are, you have a bed bug problem.
If you havenât found any yet, but are still worried you have an infestation, check your blanket, nightstand, PJs, and pillowcases. Bedbugs donât travel far once theyâve found food, so droppings are usually found where you sleep.
We also recommend checking your mattress and flipping it so you can have a look at both sides.
3. Youâve Discovered a Shell (Or Found the Real Deal)
The most obvious way to confirm your suspicions is to look for the bed bugs themselves. Bed bugs are secretive critters, so youâre unlikely to find a live one without spotting one of the other signs on this list first.
Nevertheless, hunting them down is the only definitive way to confirm you have an infestation. Grab a flashlight and check all the dark spots around your bed. Even if you donât find a live bug, you might discover one of their exoskeletons, as bed bugs have many shells that shed during their lifetime.
A full-grown bed bug is around 0.1 inches and is reddish-brown. Imagine looking for an apple seed, which is similar in shape, color, and size.
If you know you have an infestation, donât wait for it to get out of hand. A professional pest control service, like Synergy², can exterminate any bugs in your home and give you total peace of mind.
4.You Know Someone Else With an Infestation
Even if you havenât noticed other signs of bed bugs in your home, itâs worth doing a thorough check if youâve traveled recently or know of someone else with an infestation. After all, bed bugs are hitchhikers and need to be brought into the home by you or your guests.
Check hotel rooms, motels, and guesthouses when you travel. If you find any warning signs, unpack your belongings outside and sanitize them before coming in. Washing clothes at high temperatures will kill the bugs and prevent a full-blown invasion.
Similarly, if youâre having dinner with friends and they mention having bed bugs at home, donât leave it to chance. Give the rooms theyâve visited a good scrub down to make sure no bed bugs have snuck in unnoticed.
5. Youâve Recently Bought Second-Hand Furniture
Thrift shopping for second-hand furniture is great fun and you can find incredible bargains to inject personality into your home. But you might get more than your moneyâs worth if you end up bringing bed bugs back with you.
Used furniture is one of the most common ways bed bugs find their way into the home. Inspect furniture thoroughly before handing over your cash and if you can, wash your new pieces with hot water and disinfectant when they arrive. This will minimize the risk of an infestation spreading and save you a whole world of hassle further down the line.
You can also hire professional cleaners who can chemically clean upholstered items.
6. Your Sheets Have Blood Stains
While it doesnât hurt when bed bugs bite, they are still penetrating your skin. And sometimes, youâll notice small spots of blood on your sheets when you wake up the next day. Theyâll only be tiny, but that doesnât mean they should be ignored!
If the spots coincide with bites or another sign on this list, thereâs a high chance you have an infestation on your hands. Give your local extermination team a call if youâre unsure and theyâll be able to confirm the presence of your new roommates.
Are There Signs You Have Bed Bugs at Home? Act Now
If there are signs you have bed bugs at home, donât hang about. Contact an experienced pest control team and get rid of them immediately. Otherwise, youâll have a full-blown infestation on your hands before you know it!
If this post has helped you answer questions like âdo I have bed bugsâ and âhow to get rid of bed bugs,â make sure you check out the rest of our blog. Weâve got lots of handy home advice to make your life simpler!