How to Detect Bed Bug Infestation

How can you detect bed bug infestation?

1. Have the right tools
2. Check for blood stains on your bedding
3. Inspect for bed bug droppings
4. Ask the previous owners
5. Consider calling pest control services

 

Bed bugs can make their way into your household from just about anywhere. These annoying pests can come from that used furniture you bought. As hitchhiking pests, bed bugs can latch on from when you are sitting in public spaces as well. With that, you may want to know how to detect bed bug infestation.

Most household owners want to put a stop to bed bug infestations early. Why? They leave red itchy bites while feeding on humans. Moreover, it’s difficult to detect them. Bed bugs are among the most persistent pests anyone can ever deal with. If left untreated, they can even spread to neighboring homes.

Stop suffering from your bed bug infestations. We’ve rounded up some tips on how you can detect these annoying pests.

 

Have The Right Tools

Bed bugs are oval, brownish, and minuscule pests. The adult ones grow to about the size of an apple seed. For someone who has an untrained eye, they will be hard to look for. You might even confuse them with other biting pests.

To properly detect bed bugs, make sure you have the right tools with you. These may include a flashlight and a magnifying glass. Given that they’re tiny in size, 5 to 7 millimeters to be exact, you’ll be needing proper illumination tools.

 

Check for Blood Stains On Your Bedding

If you have a bed bug infestation, we are sure you’ve had your share of sleepless nights. After all, they are opportunist pests who are most active at night.

When bed bugs feed, it takes about 10 minutes for them to be fully engorged. They often feed on exposed skin such as your arms and shoulders. The worst part about it? They crawl away unnoticed because you’re sleeping.

With this being said, remove all your bedding and check for blood stains. While you were sleeping, you might have accidentally crushed them. If you crush them while feeding, the blood seeps out and creates stains.

 

Inspect for Bed Bug Droppings

In addition to blood stains, inspect for bed bug droppings. The droppings are made up of digested blood. Once dried, these turn into a dark brown or black color and are about the size of a dot from a pen marker.

Check for bed bug droppings around the corners of your bed. Don’t forget to examine the box springs and bed frame as well! These pests are known for hiding in the nooks and crannies of furniture.

Although bed bugs can’t fly, they can crawl everywhere. Try to check around your household because these droppings are not exclusively found on the bed. Start from the folds of curtains, carpets, corners of walls, under the seams of chairs, and between cushions.

 

Ask The Previous Owners

Just like other species of pests, bed bugs release airborne chemical messengers called pheromones. When you disturb a large group of bed bugs, you might get a whiff of an unpleasant, strong, and musty scent. That’s a common bed bug infestation sign.

As mentioned earlier, bed bugs are known to be hitchhiking pests. If you happen to live in a pre-owned home, it would be helpful to ask the previous property owners about bed bug infestations. If they do mention bed bug signs, go straight to learning about pest treatment options.

In addition, opt-out of buying pre-owned furniture, clothing, and other used items into your home. Even if you’re tempted to score big discounts, remember that these items are hotspots for bed bugs. They love to burrow on the old fabric and seams.

Invest in brand new items! Trust us, it will save you from uncomfortable nights and itchy bites.

 

Consider Calling Pest Control Services

Once bed bugs find the right habitat, they reproduce quickly. The females lay about 200 to 250 eggs in their lifetime and they are no bigger than 1 millimeter. It’s incredibly small and it will be extremely hard to find!

Minor bed bug infestations are already challenging enough to treat. For heavy infestations, it would be best to contact pest control experts.

 

Key Takeaway

Bed bug infestations are a nuisance for any household owner. This is especially true because they are most active at night.

We’ve stated these tips on how to detect bed bug infestation. However, if you’re dealing with a heavy infestation, call the pest control experts. At Topbest Philippines, we know how to detect bed bugs and offer you the most effective solutions for getting rid of them.

Click here to inquire about how we can help with your bed bug infestation today.