How do you know if you’re being invaded by bed bugs? Do bed bugs come out during the day?
Bed bugs are parasites that can be found in any building, but they’re often found in apartments and hotels. Once they’re discovered in an apartment, there’s nothing the landlord can do to rid the building of the bed bugs.
Knowing the early signs of bed bugs always helps you start the eradication process quicker, but this way, you can get the problem eliminated sooner.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about bed bug infestations, including signs of an infestation to look for.
1. You See Live Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can live up to a year without food, so even if you don’t see them, they may still be present. There are some early signs to look out for that may indicate their presence.
If you see live bed bugs, they will be either adult or juvenile. Adult bed bugs are dark brown or reddish and typically ¼ inch in size or slightly larger.
Juveniles are almost impossible to see with the naked eye due to their size and pale off-white colorings. Both adults and nymphs have signature flattened oval shapes and must be inspected under a magnifying glass.
It’s important to tackle bed bugs as soon as possible, so if you spot this sign, call pest control for advice and find services available near you.
2. Bed Bug Eggs
Bed Bug eggs are one of the earliest signs of a bed bug infestation, as these can be laid in bedding, furniture, and carpets.
They are white and look like grains of rice, but they are very small and often difficult to see unless inspected closely. Bed bug eggs are laid in clusters, so it’s important to know if multiple eggs are found in the same area.
Because of their size, they may go unnoticed, but when the eggs are discovered, and the clusters are inspected, bed bug activity can often be inferred. Bed bug eggs hatch in about a week, and nymphs, or newly hatched immature bed bugs, are likely to be present in the area soon afterward.
3. Bloodstains on Sheets and Pillows
These stains should alert you to the presence of bed bugs. Bed bugs feed on human blood and will leave behind telltale droplets of blood on sheets and pillows after feeding.
This evidence can often be elusive as bed bugs typically feed at night and can be difficult to see with the naked eye.
4. Dark Brown Shell Casing
Bed bugs can be difficult to identify, especially in the early stages. These casings are moltings that the bugs go through as they grow and indicate that the pests are thriving in your home.
5. Musty Odors
An infested room, mattress, or other furniture will often have a strong, distinct, musty smell.
This smell comes from the oils secreted onto fabric by the bugs, which acquire the odor molecules from their food or human blood. The smell can often be detected before other signs of the bugs are visible.
How to Detect Early Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are difficult to detect, but if you look for early signs of bed bugs, you can take swift action and avoid a full-on infestation.
Signs of bed bugs include small blood spots, rust-colored stains, shed skin, and an unpleasant musty odor. If you suspect you may have bed bugs, call a pest control company immediately to solve the issue.
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