Pest Control Blog

Bed Bug Detection and Extermination in your Home

Having bed bugs in your home is a nightmare better imagined than experienced! Read this article to learn how to detect bed bugs in your home and viable solutions that eliminate worrisome pests.

Bed Bugs in your Home?
Bed bugs in homes are not uncommon! However, detecting the presence of these notorious pests before they wreck irreparable damage is a tricky affair. Getting rid of them is even harder. Notwithstanding, adopting the right measures can help you tackle these blood-sucking pests with minimum effort. But the key is early detection. Here are some early warning signs of bed bug infestation:

#1 Physical Manifestations
Often, bed bugs leave physical signs in their wake that help detects their presence. Examples include unexplained red or rust-colored blood stains, fecal droppings, eggs, and shell casings.

Blood Stains —  these appear as splotchy marks on bed sheets, pillows, or clothing. When bed bugs feed, it becomes engorged with blood. And when you move in your sleep, you can crush the insect. Though this might not kill the bug, it can cause some of the blood they fed on to leak, thus leaving stains on your bed sheets or clothing. But before you jump to conclusions, investigate the source of the blood. If you come up empty, then bed bugs are the probable culprits.

Fecal droppings — A bed bug’s fecal matter is noticeably darker and smaller than the blood stains. The droppings mimic ink dots from a pen or marker. The matter consists of digested human blood and smells rusty. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, look out for these droppings on mattresses, bedding, clothing, walls, and other surfaces.

Eggs — Though macroscopic, it can be difficult to identify bed bug eggs. The eggs measure 1 mm in size, have an oval shape, and are pearly-white. You should also check for a hinged cap at the end of the egg. These eggs are commonly found in the spots discussed above. But pregnant female bed bugs may wander around, so check hidden spots, crevices, corners, and everywhere in between.

Shell Casings — As part of their life cycle, bed bugs shed their exoskeleton which generates shell casings. These casings typically indicate the presence of bed bugs in your home. Fortunately, they are more noticeable than mischievous bugs. The casings are yellow and translucent in color and feature hollow outlines.

#2. Odor
One of the earliest clues of bed bug infestation is a strange smell. Typically, a musty odor that originated from an unknown source is your cue to hunt for bed bugs. Experts have likened the smell to almonds, cilantro, and coriander. The smell stems from alarm pheromones produced when the bugs feel threatened.

#3 Bites
An obvious cause for alarm is small, red, and itchy bumps that appear on your arms, hands, and legs. These bites generally appear at night, so if you wake up with unexplained bites, your first line of thought should be “bed bugs”! But note that bites are not 100 percent effective at diagnosing bed bug infestation. The bites are similar to other insect bites, so there’s no total guarantee that bed bugs are the culprit.

How do you Exterminate Bed Bugs at Home?

While bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate, you can leverage these home remedies :

1. Once you’ve pinpointed the location and source, wash and dry both affected and unaffected beddings and clothes. Use hot water to wash the items and use high heat settings to dry them. The hot water and heat combination will effectively kill residual eggs and bed bugs.
2. Purchase a bed bug spray that targets the elimination of bed bugs. Use the spray per the label instructions.
3. Encase your mattress and box spring in a bed bug-resistant cover. This will keep bed bugs at bay and prevent them from spreading about (if encased within).
4. Vacuum all areas of your home with a HEPA filter vacuum. Focus on furniture, nooks and crannies, and exposed surfaces. Properly dispose of the vacuum bag as soon as you are done to contain the bugs and keep them from getting away.

 The Best Course of Action
While these home remedies can help minimize the presence of bed bugs, the best and most effective course of action is to seek professional help. Seasoned pest extermination professionals like Fromms Pest Control are trained to eliminate bed bugs from within and outside your home. They will treat the infestation and prevent future occurrences.