The thought of having bed bugs can send homeowners into panic. These tiny pests cause itchy bites and are notorious for being difficult to eradicate. If you suspect bed bugs in your home there are a couple of things you can do to confirm your suspicions. Start with a visual inspection for these pests in your bed and surrounding areas. Bed bugs can be difficult to spot so it is also helpful to know how to recognize other signs of activity. If you determine that you do have bed bugs then the next step is to bring in professional help.
Do a visual inspection
Bed bugs are great at hiding but it is possible to find them if you know where to look. Start with the edges of your mattress. Pull back the sheet and look closely at the crevices and seams around the perimeter of your mattress. Pay close attention to the perimeter because many types of mattresses
have edging that provides ample space for bed bugs to hide. Then, move inward and check the other crevices and tufting of the mattress. The design of your mattress will impact how you execute a visual bed bug inspection. Once you have inspected your mattress it is time to move on to the surrounding areas. Bed bugs have been known to hang out on bed frames, night stands, inside wall sockets, and anywhere else where they can get consistent access to their favorite meal. Keep in mind that these pests are small and do not like to be out in the open. They will try to hide so you must be meticulous as you do a visual inspection to ensure that you do not overlook their presence.
Recognize other signs of activity
It can be difficult to spot bed bugs especially to the untrained eye. If you do a visual inspection and come up with nothing then it may be a sign that you do not have bed bugs. Or, it could simply mean that the bed bugs were doing a good job staying hidden during the search. In order to minimize the likelihood of this happening you need to learn how to recognize the other signs of bed bug activity. One of the most common ways that homeowners discover a bed bug problem is from getting bitten. Bed bug bites are typically small and red and show up in groupings . Oftentimes they become very itchy and bothersome. The bites do not always show up immediately which can make it difficult to determine if they are from bed bugs or some other type of pest. Another potential sign of bed bug activity is blood spots on your bedding. You will not feel a bed bug bite when it occurs but you may bleed a little and that blood can get on your bedding. These will be very small dots of blood so they may not be visible if you have dark sheets. If you suspect bed bug activity you can change your dark sheets for lighter ones and keep an eye out for small dots of blood. These signs of bed bug activity can help you determine if you have bed bugs even if you were unable to find any during a visual inspection.
Bring in professional help
If you determine that you have bed bugs the next step is to bring in professional help. The success rate of homeowners treating bed bug issues on their own is very low. These pests are good at hiding and use that skill to avoid exposure to typical DIY treatment methods. A professional will have the training and experience to recognize the problem, identify the infested areas, and apply lethal treatment in areas where the bed bugs will be exposed.
A bed bug problem will not go away on its own. As soon as you determine that you have an infestation-or even suspect a problem-bring in professional help. Dealing with your bed bug issue quickly and professionally will allow you to rest easy in your bed once again.
