Found a few bed bugs in your home or business and just wrote the incident off? It’s just a few small bugs about the size of an apple seed, what’s the big deal right? Unfortunately, this is not the right way to look at the situation. One or two simple bugs might mean you have a full-blown problem on your hands.
There is simply no other way to look at it, one or two bugs in the home or building are a major cause for concern. Believe it or not, it means it’s time to get the pros involved. Battling bed bugs is no easy task and the worse the infestation, the longer and more expensive the entire process is going to be. This is why it is best to get a pro involved as soon as possible. Just remember not to rush to judgment too quickly. Getting several quotes from a handful of providers will give you a leg to stand on while also ensuring you that you going to get the best possible treatment possible.
Why Do A Few Bugs Spell Major Risks?
Finding just one bug in the home might not seem like a major problem. It’s just one small bug, right? And, it’s only the size of an apple seed, what’s the deal? The first thing you need to know about bed bugs is, they are social creatures. This means if there is one lurking around the premises, there is likely more just right around the corner. There might be an entire family and you might not even know it. They could’ve been there for months, which makes the situation all the more troubling. Your concerns should increase doubly if the insect you find is female. Females reproduce extremely quickly. A pregnant female bed bug possesses the ability to lay as many as 500 eggs in a single lifetime. While procuring a bed bug specimen is extremely difficult, this is one way to differentiate the males from the females. While both bugs can be anywhere from 7 to 10 millimeters in length, the female will have more of a rounded abdomen, whereas the male’s abdomens are pointed.Why Is It Hard To Find Bed Bugs?
You just learned how to differentiate between male and female bed bugs. However, you also already that it can be extremely hard to procure a sample. This is because they are not only small creatures, but they go out of their way to avoid detection. That’s right, these bugs are smart enough to do what is necessary to avoid detection. They only feed when you are sleeping and will completely change their habits to match yours. If you sleep during the day, they will adapt their lifestyles so they can feed on you while you’re sleeping. To make matters even that much worse, some people don’t react to bed bug bites. This means you could be getting bitten, living with an infestation, and not even know what you are dealing with.Always Confirm The Infestation
Just because you are waking up in the middle of the night with bite marks, it doesn’t mean you are dealing with bed bugs. Fleas and a handful of other critters bite as well. You could be dealing with any number of critters. The only way to know for sure what you are dealing with is by procuring a sample. Unfortunately, this will be harder than it sounds. If you do happen to procure a bug, you still need to know how to identify the bed bugs. As was mentioned, bed bugs are anywhere from 7 to 10 millimeters in length and reddish-brown in color. They will also have six legs with small segmented antennae. That being said, some people have commonly mistaken the bed bugs for a cockroach, nymph, flea, or carpet beetle.Know The Signs And Symptoms
It’s always best to stay on top of pests, especially bed bugs. Learning to spot the early warning signs is key to early detection. Early detection will not only save you a whole mess of problems, but it could save you a bundle of extermination costs as well. Here are some early warning signs of bed bugs:- Bloodstains – Look for reddish spots on your sheets. This could be an indication of dried blood from feeding. Or, it could also mean that you rolled over during the night and squished a bug while it was feeding.
- Exoskeletons – Similar to that other critters, the bed bug does shed its skin. When this happens, it will leave behind delicate, molted, and near-translucent skin.
- Eggs/Egg Casings – Eggs and egg casings can be even harder to identify, as they are only about the size of a pinpoint. However, seeing these items will be a surefire indication that a bed bug has reproduced and hatched. Unfortunately, this is not a good sign, in terms of infestations.
- Fecal Matter – Fecal matter will be similar to that of the bloodstains on your sheets. The only difference will be the color and smell.
- Bite Marks – Bite marks are a surefire indication you are dealing with pests of some kind, not necessarily bed bugs, but some kind of pest. These marks will usually show up on the legs, arms, hands, neck, or face.
- Musty, Sweet Odor – If you smell an unpleasant, moldy smell, you could be dealing with a bed bug infestation. This is a scent that is secreted from the bug’s glands.