Comparisonsmaster
Signs You Have a Bed Bug Infestation in Your House
Related Topics (Sponsored Ads):
Introduction: The Life Cycle of a Bed Bug and Why They're So Good at Hiding
The life cycle of a bed bug starts when an adult female lays eggs after she has fed human or animal blood for about five minutes. The female usually lays one egg every day but can lay more than one if conditions are ideal. The eggs then hatch into nymphs who can begin feeding immediately. These nymphs resemble adults but are much smaller and lighter in color. Nymphs go through 5 molts to become an adult, shedding their skin between every molt.
A bed bug can live up to one year without food, which is why it’s so hard for people to get rid of them after they’ve been infested. When bed bugs are visible, it’s because they’ve just fed or are shedding their skin between molts.
Adult females can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime, which means that an infestation in one room of the house may quickly spread throughout the whole home if it isn’t treated in time. Luckily, identifying an infestation early on is the best way to get rid of bed bugs before they have a chance to reproduce and spread throughout the house.
The 5 Signs You Have a Bed Bug Infestation
1. There Are Blood Spots All Over Your Mattress and Pillows
If you notice blood spots all over your mattress or pillows, that is a sign that you have an infestation of bed bugs near or on your sleeping area. When a bed bug takes out the insides of its prey, it leaves blood behind that will typically leave red spots all over any fabric or material around them if they’re close by.
2. Bed Bugs Are Crawling All Over Your Room
Bed bugs make nests wherever they can find shelter and humans and other animals to feed on. If you notice bed bugs crawling all over your room, there’s a good chance you have an infestation somewhere in or near that area.
3. You’re Itchy All Over Your Body for No Reason
People often think that itchy skin is caused by dry skin or an allergic reaction, but the truth is that you can get itchy from bed bug bites. It’s hard to tell if you have a bed bug infestation because so many people incorrectly assume that they’re caused by mosquitoes or other pests, but a very common sign of a bed bug infestation is getting itchy all over your body for no reason.
4. You See Shedding Skin All Over Your Room
Bed bugs shed their skin when they’ve grown to the point where they’re ready to molt into an adult, which is why it’s common to see shedding bed bug skin all over your room if you have an infestation. Whenever a bed bug molts, it leaves behind a shell that’s transparent and empty. This shed skin can be found in many common places, including on the mattress, sheets, carpeting, floorboards, bed frames, and anywhere else a bed bug might spend time.
5. You See Small Bugs With Reddish-Brown Bodies Crawling Around Your Room
Adult bed bugs are about 3/8 of an inch long and have flat, rusty-red colored bodies. Their skin is mottled brown and red after they’ve just eaten, which helps them blend in with their surroundings so they can sneak up on their prey. It’s also extremely difficult to see them because they’re nocturnal creatures who feed at night, which is why one of the most common signs of an infestation is actually seeing small bugs with reddish-brown bodies crawling around your room. If you notice any of these symptoms in or near your home, it’s important to act quickly so you can treat the problem before bed bugs spread throughout your house.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Immediately
Getting rid of bed bugs can be a pretty difficult task because they reproduce so quickly and hide so well. Here are 3 important things to keep in mind:
Always vacuum before you treat any area with pesticides. Vacuuming will help remove shed skin and nymphs that haven’t had the chance to hatch yet, which makes it easier for pesticides to get rid of adult bed bugs and the eggs they’ve left behind.
Always double-bag your trash before you take it out because bed bugs can survive for up to a year without feeding on blood.
Never go back to the room or rooms that have been treated with pesticides until they’ve been completely aired out by opening all windows, and making sure the room is completely empty and free of any lingering fumes.
If you follow these 3 steps, you’ll be able to effectively treat and prevent a bed bug infestation from coming back in your home again. Always remember that the sooner you catch an infestation, the easier it will be to eliminate it completely!
