About Bed Bugs — What You Need to Know
Bed bugs in California are not a pest you want in your home or business. The tiny blood-sucking pests cause an initial painless bite that will become an itchy red welt or blister a little later. For some, bites can result in medical issues such as allergic symptoms and skin rashes. Not only do they pose an uncomfortable problem for those bitten, if left unaddressed, your home or business will be faced with a bed bug infestation.
Where to Find Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are adept travelers. They will hop aboard items and can easily move from one location to another, even across the ocean. Although their name implies they are found only in beds, this is not the case. While bed bugs do gravitate to mattresses, box springs, bed linens, headboards, and bed frames to have fast and easy access to food sources – you and your family – bed bugs are also attracted to other objects like curtains, crevices around cushions, and inside nightstands, to name just a few.
If you travel frequently, whether for work or pleasure, hotels, and motels, as well as trains, planes, and buses can be another way bed bugs can find their way to your home.
When and How Bed Bugs Bite
The nighttime is the right time for bed bugs to feed since their main meal is nearby and quietly sleeping. The bugs use their elongated beak to pierce the skin and feed on available blood sources. Feeding time can take anywhere from three to 10 minutes. Once they finish feeding, they will return to their hiding place undetected.
Signs of Bed Bug Activity
There are several visible signs that let you know bed bugs are in residence. Along with the itchy spots that can be anywhere on your body, other visible clues include signs of blood stains on pillowcases, sheets, or comforters. There may be bed bug excrement, which is dark and rusty-colored, on sheets and mattresses, bed linens, and nightclothes. There may also be remnants of shed skins, egg casings, and a musty odor.
Identifying Bed Bugs
Identifying bed bugs can be a challenge as the pests are tiny with flat bodies and not much bigger than an apple seed. Prior to feeding on the blood of humans or pets, the bugs are brown. After feeding, their bodies go from flat to plump and their color changes to a reddish tone.
Treatments for Bed Bugs
There are a few things you can do to help deter bed bugs from your home or business. Some things you can do to help avoid the nuisance pests include frequent inspections of popular hiding places and sealing crevices in walls and floors to eliminate these cozy hiding spots. Doing frequent vacuuming then immediately emptying the canister contents into a garbage bag and sealing it tightly before throwing it away can help in eliminating bed bugs. Also, if you plan to bring any used items into your home such as a chair, sofa, books, etc., inspect them for signs of bed bugs first.
When traveling, put dirty clothes in sealed bags and wash in hot water immediately once you return home. Also check your luggage, backpacks, computer cases, even purses for signs of bed bugs.
At the end of the day, ridding your home or business of a bed bug infestation takes more than regular vacuuming or using an over-the-counter spray to eradicate them. The best recourse for treating and eliminating your home or business of bed bugs is to contact a professional pest service like O’Connor Pest Control.
Contact the Professionals
Don’t continue to be the nightly buffet for bed bugs. Schedule a free inspection and estimate with O’Connor Pest Control. One of our expert technicians can get to the root of the matter quickly using our specialized services, techniques, and treatments. Contact us today and be bed bug free tonight.