Pest Spotlight: Bed Bug Infestations

Nobody wants to wake up to itchy bug bites or, even worse, find a bug in their bed. But what can you do if bed bugs have taken over your home? Well, the first step is to find local pest control that you can trust, and that’s Abracadabra Pest Solutions. We get rid of bed bugs safely and effectively.

Unmistakable Signs Of Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic pests that seek out mammals to bite and feed on. They’re only about a quarter of an inch long and dark brown. Typically flat, bed bugs swell up a little bit after feeding. Because bed bugs are so small, they can be hard to see. It’s important that you’re aware of other potential signs of a bed bug infestation so you can catch it as early as possible.

When there’s a bed bug infestation, you might notice blood spots. These come from bed bugs feeding and sometimes from them being squished accidentally. You’ll also likely find fecal staining, which will look like dark specks or smears. Bed bugs also leave behind molted skins, eggs, and eggshells, although these can also be difficult to see.

Bed bug bites are the most noticeable sign of an infestation. They often appear on your skin as itchy red welts, although the appearance can vary depending on the person. The bite is painless, so you probably won’t notice it until it begins to itch. The welts will often be in small groups or lines.

You must look for these signs of bed bugs everywhere around your home, not just around the bed. Bed bugs spread throughout a home, and they’ll hide anywhere they can. In mattress or furniture seams, around electrical outlet covers, and small crevices are common spots to find bed bugs. If it’s wide enough to hold a credit card, it can hold a bed bug.

How Serious Is A Bed Bug Infestation?

Bed bug infestations can become serious if they’re left untreated. Although these pests do not spread disease or cause property damage, they do bite. Scratching at bed bug bites can lead to infection. Bed bug infestations can also affect your sleep, especially once you’re aware of their presence. And since bed bug infestations are difficult to treat on your own, they continue to grow and cause problems for you and your family.

Why Do-It-Yourself Bed Bug Control Often Fails

One of the biggest reasons home remedies for bed bugs don’t work is that bed bugs are excellent hiders. They stay out of sight, hidden away in cracks or furniture. And if a treatment doesn’t reach every single bed bug, it won’t get rid of the infestation. Bed bugs are also durable pests; they’re resistant to many treatments.

Even though you likely can’t get rid of a bed bug infestation on your own, you can take these steps to prevent bed bugs from entering your home in the first place:

• Separate your personal belongings in shared spaces

• Inspect hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs

• Check secondhand items for signs of bed bugs

• Vacuum luggage after traveling

• Wash and dry clothing on high heat after traveling

Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They can move easily from one item to another and then be brought into new locations. As much as you can, keep your belongings away from others in shared spaces—including office coatrooms and public transportation. Additionally, try not to store your bags on carpet or soft furniture in places like hotel rooms. Instead, place them on a table or luggage rack.

Speaking of hotel rooms, any time you’re staying away from home, you should look for signs of bed bugs before you settle in. Check for blood spots, fecal staining, left-behind shed skins and eggshells, and the bugs themselves. You might also notice a musty odor when there’s a bed bug infestation. You should check for these same signs before bringing secondhand items—clothing and furniture—into your home.

After traveling, make sure you don’t bring any bed bugs into your house by vacuuming out your luggage. This will get rid of any bugs that might have hitched a ride. You can also wash and dry your clothes on high heat to kill any bed bugs that might be hiding in them.

Following these steps significantly reduces your chances of bringing bed bugs into your home. But if they get inside anyway, call us to get rid of them.