Bed bugs are rapidly becoming some of the more common household pests many homeowners have to deal with. People often pick them up while traveling when they hitch rides on their personal items and bring them home, or they come into homes on secondhand items like furniture and fabrics.
While working with an expert on bed bugs in Maine can make getting rid of an active infestation easier, you still need to understand what to expect once you find bed bugs in your home. Here’s what you need to know.
All The Places Bed Bugs Could Be Hiding In The House
Bed bugs are tiny, with most growing to just 1/4 of an inch in length by adulthood, making it easy for them to hide away. But there are a few key places you’ll want to check when performing your own bed bug inspection to see if you have bed bugs and how extensive the problem may be. Bed bugs typically love hiding in the following areas:
- Along the seams of your mattress
- In the cushions of your furniture
- On the box spring and bed frame
- In dresser drawers
- In power outlets
Check these areas on a regular basis. If you see small, reddish-brown insects with broad oval bodies, you likely have a bed bug infestation; contact an experienced bed bug removal specialist.
The Problems That Come With A Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bugs are not known to carry bacteria or pathogens, so you won’t be exposed to diseases or viruses when they’re in your house. But that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Bed bugs do bite and feed off of human blood. These bites often result in swollen red welts and itchiness that can last for several days.
If you’re sensitive to their bites, you may experience increased discomfort or have an allergic reaction that only a medical professional can treat.
Why Do-It-Yourself Bed Bug Control Often Fails
Though many products claim to make DIY bed bug control possible and effective, they often overpromise on those claims. You may be able to kill or eliminate a small number of bed bugs, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get rid of all of the ones in your home.
Bed bugs are notoriously good at hiding, and DIY treatments won’t reach every possible hiding spot, and leaving even a handful of bed bugs alive puts you at risk of more bites and a continuing infestation.
Only a professional bed bug treatment can eliminate all the bed bugs in your home. However, you can do a few things to reduce your risk of infestations in the future after you deal with your current issue.
- Avoid buying secondhand furniture.
- Inspect your bed, dresser, and other furniture for bed bugs when staying at a hotel prior to unpacking your suitcase.
- Wash and dry your clothes on high after returning from vacation to kill any bed bugs on the fabric.
By following these tips, you’ll reduce your risk of future infestations and can keep your home bed bug free more easily.
Contact The Pros At The First Sign Of Bed Bugs
If you think you have bed bugs, contact a trusted Maine bed bug control provider. At Big Blue Bug Solutions, our experts understand how to find and eradicate bed bugs in homes of all sizes. Our treatments are effective and designed to help you regain control over your home.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward getting rid of any bed bugs in your house.