Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood. In recent years the bed bug population has exploded, perhaps due to the increase in international travel and lack of adequate awareness about how to prevent bringing bed bugs home. They are one of the most traveled insects as they can easily be carried in luggage, clothing, used bedding as well as furniture. An infestation can cause discomfort in a residential home and ruin the reputation of a commercial business. While they don't spread diseases to humans, bed bug bites are quite irritating and scratching them can lead to bleeding, allergic symptoms, infections and other psychological effects.
Bedbug Signs
Seeing the actual bugs – Although hard to spot, bedbugs are visible especially during the night. They are brownish insects about the shape and size of an apple seed.
Defecation – You may notice black fecal stains on fabrics like mattress and bedding.
Bites – If you wake up with multiple red and itchy bites, it could be a sign of a bed bug. Bed bug bites, however, resemble the bites of many other insects so bites alone cannot be relied upon.
Shed bed bug skins - Bed bugs also shed their skin, or molt, several times as they mature leaving behind brown exoskeletons/shells.
How To Avoid Bedbugs
To prevent a bed bug infestation in your premises, carefully inspect anything that comes into your home for the first time including suitcases, furniture, appliances, new clothing, stuffed animals for the kids, etc. Also, eliminate all clutter, wash your belongings, vacuum floors and clean your furniture.
Getting rid of a bedbug infestation is not easy. If you spot any of these bed bug signs, it is important that you hire professional bed bug exterminators to conduct an inspection on all of the potential infestation sites. They will recommend the best treatment plan to successfully eliminate a bed bug infestation and help prevent a re-infestation.
