Bed Bugs
This is what Bed Bug Bites Look Like
A bed bug infestation can be a nightmare for homeowners, tenants and landlords. Detection in the early stages can sometimes be difficult, mainly due to this small, flat insect’s ability to hide in cracks and crevices. Although early visual detection is possible, it more often comes when small red and sometimes quite itchy marks appear on people’s skin. It is during these early stages when you should react. Most of the images you find first on the internet are severe cases or severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites. The images below are a more typical representation of what you will notice after receiving bed bug bites.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are flat, oval in shape, and relatively small in size (about 4-5 mm long). Prior to feeding they are very light in colour and can appear translucent. After feeding bed bugs appear red or brownish-red. They often appear on mattress seams, sheets, or furniture, and feed on the blood of living animals and people. They can reproduce rapidly thereby appearing in large numbers within a short span of time. Their bites are often very itchy, sometimes causing a burning sensation on the skin.
How to Determine if you Have Bed Bugs in Your Home
The most common areas to start checking are of course mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. Because of the bed bugs small size, careful inspections along mattress edges/ribbing, under box springs, behind headboards and all small cracks along frames should be performed. Once born, bed bugs will almost immediately start to feed and are extremely tiny. This is why it is so important to be very thorough with your inspections. As with most pests, early detection and treatment deliver the best results.
Signs of Bed Bug Infestation
- Blood stains on bedding sheets and pillow cases
- Bites on you or another household member’s skin
- Bed bug excrement looks like little rust spots on sheets and walls
- In severe cases you may notice a musty odor
The Life Cycle of Bed Bugs
What to Do if You Have a Bed Bug Infestation
For homeowners the first response should be to consult a pest control professional. Tenants of rental units should contact their landlords as quick as possible, so they can arrange treatments with the Exterminators. The longer you hesitate, the worse the problem will become. All our licensed technicians at Southland Pest Control are trained in the most effective procedures to eliminate bed bug issues.