Bed bugs are a rather notorious pest, and they have a reputation that precedes them. They are known for being invasive, and most people know how difficult they are to get rid of. Plus, bed bugs come out at night to get a blood meal from people, leaving behind bites and making them particularly disturbing.
However, while bed bugs might be a well-known pest, their infestations aren’t that easy to identify. Bed bugs are often misidentified for other pests such as fleas or ticks. And, because bed bugs are rather small, especially when they’re not fully grown, you might not notice them for a while.
Bed bug infestations can exist for months without South Carolina homeowners being aware of them. Bed bugs can hide in all kinds of out-of-sight areas including in small holes in the walls or the seams of mattresses.
Because of the difficulties of dealing with bed bug infestations, we’ve put together a handy guide to identifying bed bugs around your home.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
While there are other signs of bed bug infestations to know about that are often more noticeable than seeing the bugs themselves, it’s still useful to know what they look like. Despite a common misconception, bed bugs are not invisible to the human eye. They are around the size of an apple seed and similar in shape, too.
When in adulthood, bed bugs are a reddish-brown color. They are oval-shaped and usually look flat except after they've had a meal in which case they are round. Bed bug nymphs look similar to the adults but are slightly smaller and a whitish color.
Lastly, bed bug eggs are rather tiny at only around 1 mm long. After hatching, the discarded eggshells can often be found around baseboards or near bedding. The eggshells begin as a white color but will turn brown with time.
Four Signs Of Bed Bug Activity
While you might see bed bugs, especially as the infestation grows, there are other signs of bed bug activity to be aware of that you may see first. Keep in mind that bed bugs aren’t just found in beds and around sleeping areas. They can also get into other furniture and even holes in the wall or appliances.
Here are four of the main signs you have a bed bug infestation:
- Bed bug bites that appear in zigzag or line patterns. These can be anywhere that skin was exposed during sleep.
- Rusty blood stains on your sheets or mattress. Bed bugs are notoriously messy eaters and will often leave spots behind after a meal.
- Brown, irregular-shaped smear marks. These come from bed bug droppings and can be found on furniture, beds, or walls.
- A musty odor that wasn’t there before. This odor may not be noticeable at first but as the infestation grows so will this indicator.
If you notice any of the signs of bed bug infestation it's important to act quickly before the infestation has time to grow.
How Can You Remove Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests in South Carolina to remove because they can spread so quickly and hide in so many small areas. In order to keep the infestation from coming back, you’ll need to eradicate every bed bug at each stage of their life cycle which is nearly impossible using DIY methods.
Luckily, the experts at The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. provide expert bed bug control services. We can remove any bed bug infestation effectively and provide ongoing assistance to ensure these frustrating pests don’t come back. Contact us today to request a quote and ensure your home is bed-bug-free.
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