While there are many difficult pests to deal with in Worcester, Massachusetts, bed bugs are some of the most disgusting and invasive. These tiny pests are known for biting people while they sleep to consume blood, making them seem like miniature vampiric monsters. However, while most people know what bed bugs are, there are many things about them the average homeowner doesn’t know.
First of all, bed bugs are one of the most misidentified pests. They are often mistaken for ticks or fleas, but there are some characteristics you can look out for to tell if you’re dealing with bed bugs or not.
Second, bed bug infestations can often go unnoticed for long periods of time. Because bed bugs are so small, although not invisible, you’re unlikely to see bed bug activity at first. It’s also rare to see the actual bugs themselves when the infestation has first started.
Because bed bugs are so invasive and difficult to spot, this guide goes over all you need to know about signs of bed bugs in your home.
Identifying Bed Bugs At Different Life Cycle Stages
You’re not likely to see the adult bed bugs at first, so it’s a good idea to know what they look like in their egg and nymph stages. Bed bug eggs are only about a millimeter long and are typically found in clusters. They are pearly white in color, but the discarded egg casings will turn brown with time.
Once bed bugs enter the nymph stage, they grow a little bit larger. They are also a whitish color, and look similar to the adult bed bugs but just slightly smaller and lighter.
Adult bed bugs are generally the easiest to identify as they are the biggest, but, keep in mind, they are still only about the size of an apple seed. So what do bed bugs look like? They are a reddish-brown color, and they are usually flat in shape. But, after they’ve eaten, they will become rounded.
Four More Signs Of Bed Bugs
There are some other signs of bed bug activity that you might notice before the actual bed bugs themselves if you know what to look for. It’s also important to remember that bed bugs don’t just live in and around mattresses and bedding. While they prefer beds, they will also infest curtains, furniture, and even hide in holes in the walls.
These are the four other main signs of bed bugs:
- Noticing blood stains on your mattress or other bedding
- Finding brown smear marks from bed bug droppings around bedding or walls
- Smelling an off-putting, musty odor that you haven’t noticed around your property before
- Having tiny red bite marks on your body. These bites can show up anywhere that skin is exposed during sleep, and they usually appear in lines or zig-zag patterns.
If you notice these or other signs of bed bugs there is no time to waste. The sooner you can get started on an effective bed bug treatment the better your outcome will be.
What To Do If You Notice Signs Of Bed Bugs
Now that you know how to identify bed bugs, take stock of your home and look for any signs mentioned in this guide. If you find bed bugs, they are a rather difficult pest to remove using DIY methods because they are so invasive. In this case, the best thing to do is to contact the experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions right away.
In order to remove the infestation completely, every single bed bug and egg needs to be eradicated. Our technicians have the tools necessary to get rid of these disgusting pests and keep them from returning. Request your free inspection today to get started.