If you think you have a bed bug infestation, you’re not alone. In fact, each year 20% of households are affected by bed bugs. Most people assume bed bugs are almost exclusive to hotels and gigantic cities like New York or Los Angeles. But the reality is they’re everywhere in the United States. So we Arizonans need to be vigilant for bed bugs invading our homes.
Your trustworthy local pest control company, Urban Desert Pest Control, is here to offer advice for detecting bed bugs early and how to prevent them. We believe early identification and eradication is crucial to stopping bed bugs and most pests. If you need bed bug or other pest control help, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are a tiny pest, about 5 to 7 millimeters long, that feed exclusively on blood. Their flat bodies let them fit into tiny spaces. Because of this, they typically travel in luggage and garments. Once in your home, they hide in pillows, wall units, and furniture. While bed bugs feed on blood, they don’t spread disease to humans. Nevertheless, they’re a nuisance to you, your family, and even your furry family.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Similar to most pest infestations, there are easy signs to be aware of. That’s no different with bed bugs. These are the most common indications that you have bed bugs in your home:
Live bed bugs. Of course this is a very obvious sign, but you have to work hard to actually see a bed bug. Once they find a hiding spot, they remain there indefinitely. You’ll find them in tight cracks and crevices, and have a reddish-brown color to them. You can confuse them with spider beetles, carpet beetles, or other small insects. The following additional signs will help you to confirm you’re looking at a bed bug.
Shell casings. A growing bed bug infestation will leave abandoned shell casings. These are yellow-ish, brown, and translucent exoskeletons of young bed bugs. Since bed bugs are hiding experts, the shell casings are often what you’ll find before any bed bugs. They even go through 5 lifecycle stages, so bed bugs shed an exoskeleton several times.
Eggs. What goes hand-in-hand with shell casings are eggs. Female bed bugs can lay between 1 to 7 eggs each day. The eggs are only 1 millimeter long and pearly white in color. You’ll likely find the eggs stuck to surfaces, because pregnant bed bugs leave a glue-like material when laying eggs. So, these are in cracks and crevices, but since pregnant bed bugs can wander, there’s a chance they’re elsewhere throughout your house.
Fecal marks. Bed bug droppings consist of digested human blood, so the fecal marks are dark brown or black while giving off a faint rusty smell. These markings are small, about the size of a pen tip. Anything dealing with bed bugs requires keen, persistent observation since they’re so small.
Small blood stains. Humans don’t notice bed bugs feeding on us, but that doesn’t mean they don’t leave any signs of feeding. When we move in our sleep, we cause the blood that bed bugs are feasting on to leak out, which creates a noticeable red or rust-colored stain. You’ll see these on bedsheets, pillows, or clothing. Unexplained blood stains might point to a bed bug infestation.
Odors. Musty, unusual odors can pinpoint a bed bug infestation. Similar to other bed bug warning signs, you’ll typically notice this in your bedroom. Bed bugs emit pheromones when they’re bothered or threatened. The pheromones are slightly sweet or musty, like raspberries, cilantro, or almonds.
Get Professional Pest Control with Urban Desert
Most pest infestations are no joke, particularly in the summer when pests desperately need shelter, food, and water. Trying to handle any pest control on your own is stressful, time-consuming, and, often, unsuccessful. If you want your home quickly and effectively restored back to safety and comfortability, trust the pros to eradicate pests. Contact our expert team today to get a free pest control quote.
About Urban Desert Pest Control
Looking for a family-owned company with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential extermination? Then Urban Desert Pest Control is your go-to team. We pride ourselves on earning your business with the value of our service and superior customer care.
Visit our website to learn more about us or read our blog for additional pest control insights and advice.
