Discovering you have bed bugs in your house can be stressful and frustrating. These tiny pests hide well, spread easily, and are hard to get rid of without help. The warm climate and steady stream of visitors in Tildenville, Florida make it easier for bed bugs to spread from one home to another. Knowing how to spot them early and get rid of them the right way is key to protecting your home. Head over here to know the secret to keeping your home free of these bloodsuckers.
How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs
You might not notice bed bugs right away because they are small and good at hiding. But they leave behind signs if you know what to look for. These include:
- Bite marks. You can have small, red, itchy bumps on your skin after getting bitten by bed bugs. These bumps are usually in lines or clusters on your arms, legs, neck, or back.
- Rust-colored stains. These stains come from crushed bed bugs or their droppings. You can find them on sheets, mattresses, or pillowcases.
- Tiny white eggs or shed skins. Bed bugs lay small, white eggs and shed their skin as they grow. You might find these along mattress seams, in the corners of your bed frame, or even behind picture frames.
- Live bugs. You may see bed bugs crawling near the seams of your mattress or under furniture cushions if the infestation is growing.
- A musty smell. Bed bugs can create a strong, sweet odor from the scent glands on their bodies. This can happen in larger infestations.
Common Places Bed Bugs Hide
Bed bugs are experts at hiding. They can be found in many parts of the home, especially close to where people sleep or sit for long periods. You can find them in mattress seams and box springs, headboards and bed frames, and cracks in walls or floors. Also, bed bugs can hide inside couches and chairs and behind baseboards or outlet covers. In fact, they can hitch a ride on suitcases, backpacks, or clothing. They can quickly spread to nearby rooms or even neighboring homes once they settle in. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, which is why infestations can grow quickly if not treated early.
Bed bugs don’t appear because your home is dirty. In fact, they can show up in the cleanest homes. The most common way they spread is by hitching a ride on luggage, clothes, or used furniture. You can pick them up from hotels, public transportation, or a visit to someone’s home who has them.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
Eliminating bed bugs is tough. They are resistant to many sprays you find at the store. Cleaning your home will not be enough to keep it free from these pests. That is why professional help is often the best option. Professional service usually includes:
- Inspection. Pest control professionals check your entire home to find all the places where bed bugs are hiding.
- Treatment Plan. They will create a treatment plan based on what they find. This will may include heat treatment, special insecticides, or steam.
- Follow-up Visits. Several treatments may be needed to fully wipe out the bugs because they are so persistent.
Things You Can Do to Help
Below are steps you can take to support the elimination process and help prevent re-infestation.
- Wash bedding and clothes. You should use hot water and dry everything on high heat to kill any bugs or eggs.
- Vacuum regularly. Focus on your mattress, carpets, and furniture. Empty the vacuum outside into a sealed bag after using it.
- Declutter: Get rid of items you do not need, especially around sleeping areas. This will reduce the possible hiding spots for bed bugs.
- Don’t move items from room to room. This can spread the bugs to other parts of your home.
- Seal cracks and fix loose wallpaper. This helps eliminate hiding spots and makes it harder for bed bugs to move around.
