October 30, 2024
How Do I Know If My Bed Has Bed Bugs?
If you think that your bed has bed bugs, you probably want to figure it out soon. First, you should find out if there really are bed bugs. We’re going to look at some of the ways to know for sure. Then, you can begin treating the problem.
Signs That Your Bed Has Bed Bugs
The most obvious way to truly know if you have bed bugs is seeing them. You still could have bed bugs even if you don’t see them right away. Here are some of the signs to look for if you suspect bed bugs:
- Blood stains on your bed
- Bed bug feces or feces marks
- Bed bug eggs or egg shells
- Molted skin from bed bugs
- Musty odor
Extermination Montreal Max, which does bed bug extermination in Montreal, notes that stains might be visible on your mattress and sheets. The molted skins from the bed bugs may be pale yellow in color. You may smell dried blood or a rotten fruit smell in the infested area.
You might also notice bug bites on your skin. This might look like mosquito bites, according to WikiHow. One major difference is that a bed bug bite may grow larger. Another sign that a bed bug bit you is that bed bug bites can sting.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
According to WebMD, bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed. They are brown and oval-shaped.
You might also see a bed bug after it has eaten. These bed bugs have swollen bodies and can appear to be red.
How Do Bed Bugs Get in a Bed?
Bed bugs can enter your home on your clothing or bag. They then might make their home between your mattresses. This is because bed bugs only ingest blood.
There is a common belief that bed bugs are a sign that your home is dirty. This isn’t the case. They are simply looking for more blood to take in.
Can Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs are able to spread from room to room. They do this by jumping onto clothing. They also get into bags or purses. When you take an item from one room to the next, you may be transporting the bed bugs too.
Be sure to check your curtains, carpet, fans, and more. Though the name suggests that they would only be in your bed, they can be anywhere.
Bed bugs can’t fly, but they are fast crawlers. This helps them move from place to place quickly.
Because bed bugs can spread so easily, it’s important to start treatment immediately. This can prevent them from reaching other areas of your home.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Yourself
First, you should remove all your bedding. Wash it in hot water and dry it at a high temperature too. Then you should vacuum your mattress. The vacuum should be emptied into a plastic bag and sealed tightly. It should be disposed of outside.
You should then use a mattress encasement. It’s important to leave this encasement on your mattress for a year or longer. This will ensure that the bed bugs die. Since they will be trapped, they cannot ingest your blood and survive.
You can buy some insecticides that may work. These should be used all around the bedroom or home where the infestation is.
If you can’t get rid of the bed bugs on your own, it’s a good idea to call a professional. This will ensure that the bed bugs are gone for good.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs
One of the simplest ways to prevent bed bugs from taking over your bed is by buying a mattress encasement. These zip around the mattress to keep bed bugs out. If you’ve had bed bugs before, it can also keep them from spreading.
You can also:
- Reduce your clutter so bed bugs can’t hide as easily.
- Inspect used furniture before bringing it into your home.
- Wash any clothing and bedding you use while out of town.
When Should You Contact a Professional?
Exterminators are more effective than DIY home treatments. They have the necessary equipment to handle the job efficiently.
For best results, you should contact a professional as soon as possible. The DIY home treatments can sometimes help, but they aren’t as effective as an exterminator’s treatments. The longer you wait, the worse the problem may become.
Plus, if the DIY treatments don’t work, you may just be wasting your time trying to find one that does.
If you are noticing the signs of bed bugs in your home, it’s best to treat the problem immediately. Even if you don’t have bed bugs, it’s good to be aware of the signs. Then, in the future, you can stop them right away. You may want to call a professional to make sure the bed bugs are removed properly.