Have you noticed some changes in your home, such as insect shells or mysterious stains?
Bed bugs are one of the most common household pests that may cause these changes. It’s best to catch and remove them as soon as possible since they can lay over 200 eggs.
They can quickly spread throughout your home, making you their food source. So, read on to learn nine signs of a bed bug infestation.
1. Itchy Red Spots
One of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation is the bites on your skin. Bed bug bites are small and red, leaving a cluster of bumps across your skin. You may experience redness, itchiness, and swelling when your skin reacts to the bite.
However, some may not know there are bites because they have no physical reaction to them. Bed bugs come out at night or early morning to nip on your skin. They also bite while you travel or drive, but they won’t bite immediately.
2. Bed Bug Molted Skins or Shells
If you see small flakes all over your bed or clothing, you have a home bed bug infestation. The molted skins are a clear reddish-brown with an oval shape. The bed bug molted skins or shells may appear see-through, immobile, and light.
Their casings are a sign that plenty of bed bugs are shedding and growing in your home. When bed bugs grow, they start shedding their skin then leave it behind. If you notice any skin shells, it’s a sign that you have fully developed adult bed bugs in your home.
3. Fecal Stains On Bedsheets and Pillows
Bed bugs tend to leave small dark stains on your bedsheets and pillowcases. They leave fecal stains on beddings when they assemble in large numbers. There are reddish stains and small spots everywhere on your bed.
These spots tend to start bleeding like a marker on your sheets. If you notice bloodstains on your bed, start looking for the bed bugs or their eggs. Make sure to check your pajamas and skin for signs of fecal stains.
4. Second-Hand Furniture
It’s exciting to get a great deal on a piece of furniture, even if it’s second-hand. However, you may be bringing bed bugs along with your new furniture. Before purchasing any used furniture, you have to inspect it first.
Look for bloodstains, eggs, casings, and anything suspicious on the furniture. Although you may save a lot buying second-hand furniture, it can lead to spending more on pest control.
5. Dark Spots On the Walls
If you can’t find stains or casings on your bed, try searching your walls. Bed bugs can overrun your bed, clothing, furniture, and walls. After a bed bug feeds, it removes previous meals to give room for the new blood.
When it does this, the bed bug goes to certain places to get rid of the old blood. Avoid wiping the stain away since it will smear. If you find these dark spots, it’s best to wash them out and call for pest control.
6. Musty Odor
If you smell something musty and unfamiliar, it may be a sign of a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs release plenty of alarm pheromones that occurs when they get disturbed. The more bed bugs you have in your home, the more you notice the smell.
Start taking precautions if your room starts to smell like a pile of moldy, damp towels. In some instances, these tiny parasites emit an odor that smells similar to coriander. Start cleaning your linens, clothing, curtains, and beddings in hot water with baking soda.
It would be best if you also vacuumed your bed and the surrounding areas regularly. Make sure you also clean your mattress and fix any cracks in your home. If you still smell something musty, then it’s time to call for pest control to check your home.
7. Friends Have A Bed Bug Infestation
Do you have family members or friends that complain about their bed bug infestation? Bed bugs love to travel from home to home and people to people. If someone you know has a bad bed bug problem, then you may need to check your home too.
You could also bring home bed bugs if you visit your neighbor or friend’s home infested with these bugs. Avoid sharing furniture or clothes since you may bring home a bed bug that snuck into their possessions. Remember that bed bugs can stay in any house, even in its cleanest conditions.
8. You Stay In Hotel Rooms
As stated earlier, bed bugs are great hitchhikers that can move from place to place with ease. Hotel rooms are one of the most common places where bed bugs love to stay. About 98% of hotels in America have at least one ongoing prevention program related to bed bugs.
A great way to check hotels for bed bugs is by using the SLEEP method. First, Survey the room for any signs of infestation. Check for brown or black spots on the furniture.
Then Lift and look in the favorite hiding spots of bed bugs, like under the mattress. Make sure you Elevate your luggage away from the wall or bed. Don’t forget to Examine your belongings when repacking.
As soon as you get home, Place your clothing in the dryer with the highest setting. Let your clothes stay in the dryer for at least 15 minutes. Traveling is fun, but you have to be extra careful when staying at hotels.
9. Tiny White Spots
Another sign of a bed bug infestation is the tiny white spots you may find at your furniture joints or mattress dimples. These small spots are often bed bug eggs. They are oblong with a semi-transparent or white look like a grain of rice.
These eggs are very tiny, but you can spot them since their eggs are usually clustered together. Use a flashlight to look behind headboards or between your cushions to find the bed bugs and their eggs.
Keep These Bed Bugs Away From Your Home
Investigate your home well to find these bed bugs that are disturbing your rest. Look for molted skins, dark spots, musty odors, and watch changes on your skin.
We can help you if you have a bed bug problem! Contact us and tell us all about your concerns. We’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can!