Bed Bugs: Taking Notice

Bed bugs are insects that feed on human and animal blood. The infuriating about them is that they can be very small and almost unnoticeable until the bites manifest. Although they do not carry any communicable diseases and have little or no fatal side effects, they are a bane to many households. The adults are visible to the naked eye but may be negligible unless a person really seeks them out and know what to look for. Females can lay eggs several times in a year and each time there can be hundreds of these pests. Although they are called so, they do not exclusively reside in the bedroom.

What to Look for

If a person notices bite marks that are itchy and raised, it is a good idea to try and analyze which insect might have bitten him or her. Bed bugs have a distinctive pattern when they bite. The more distinctive of these patterns are circular and linear marks. Some people may attribute the marks to fleas since both can develop into itchy welts but the pattern can set them apart. The bite usually occurs at night and is not noticed immediately. Experts say that the manifestation may occur several days after the parson has been bitten. The red welts can become very itchy after several days.

After being bitten, the home owners will benefit from trying to actively check if there are other signs that there are bed bugs in their home. Since these pests like to stay where people are usually inactive or sleeping, the bedrooms are the first place to look for signs of their presence. Places to look for their signs are creases and folds in the mattresses and bases of the beds. The walls and bed frames can also be home to them. Sure signs are egg casings that are whitish and grouped together. These pests shed their skin several times in a year and empty shells may also be left in the nooks and crannies of the bedroom. Since they are very small, the home owner should bring a flashlight in looking for the signs.

In the morning, on might also see blood stains or spots in the sheets. These are produced when bed bugs are squished by the person who is sleeping as he moves. The engorged pest will move away from the victim at a slower pace compared to when it is not yet full. The person might feel the feet of the bug as it leaves him or her and might try to swat it away unconsciously. The excrement of these pests can also be rust or blood colored due to their source of food.

Experts also say that these pesky little creatures emit a musky smell. A full blown infestation can mean there are a lot of these parasites in the house and there should be this particularly musky smell. There are some methods in getting rid of them but these homemade methods may take a longer time compared to those of pest control agencies and companies.