Have you ever wondered about bed bugs? What do they look like? Can they fly? Are they the reason I am having trouble sleeping at night? Today we are going to unravel some of the mysteries behind bed bugs and give you some resources to help identify them within your home. Are you ready to become a bed bug expert? Let’s get started.
What Are Bed Bugs?
There are many misconceptions about bed bugs, such as the idea that they have wings and that they are too small to see. In reality, fully grown bed bugs have no wings and they are about the size of an apple seed. The reason they are thought to be too small to see has to do with their adept ability to hide. If you are up and about, bed bugs will do everything they can to stay out of sight. It is only once you have fallen into a deep sleep that bed bugs will emerge to feed.
If you do happen to see a live bed bug, here is how you can identify it. First, try to capture it under a glass cup, or inside a see-through container. This will help you get a better look. Next, look closely at its shape in color. A fully grown bed bug will be oval-shaped and reddish-brown in color. After feeding, a bed bug can grow to be 5 times its usual size and have an expanded deep blood red backside.
How To Identify Bed Bugs
If you are not seeing live bed bugs, the signs they leave behind are what you should look for. Here are some things we recommend keeping your eye out for around your home.
- Blood Stains: After bed bugs are done feeding, they will often dribble blood around the surface you are sleeping. Inspect around the area you sleep at night for spots of dried blood. Assuming you have no open cuts or wounds, dots of dried blood are a good sign that bed bugs are around.
- Bites: Not everyone reacts the same to bed bug bites, some people show no symptoms at all. For those who do show symptoms, bed bug bites will appear as multiple raised welts, either in a straight line or zig-zag pattern. If you suspect you have bed bugs, checking your skin for these bites each morning can be a good way to know for certain.
- Fecal Matter: Even bed bugs have to use the restroom. Due to their diets, their fecal matter appears a dark reddish black color. Dots of their excrement can commonly be found in the creases of mattresses and around rooms where bed bugs hide. Light-colored baseboards, floorboards, and around outlets are some of the easiest places to spot this sign.
- A Musty Odor: With larger bed bug infestations, the air around your bedroom might start to smell musty. Although this is not a definite sign of bed bugs, combined with other signs, this can be a helpful hint to know bed bugs are present.
With all of this, it is good to keep in mind that bed bugs do not exclusively live around beds. They can be anywhere in your home and can live upwards of 5 months without a blood meal.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
You have searched your home and suspect it has bed bugs, now what? Is there a way to get rid of them on your own? Unfortunately, bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to get out of a home. Due to years of adaptation, bed bugs are more resilient and elusive than ever.
At Biotherm Green Solutions, we have advanced and proven solutions to deal with bed bugs. If you are losing sleep at night and suspect bed bugs are around, we would be happy to come out and perform a detailed inspection of your home. You will find no better bed bug elimination services in Florida than here with us.
Call today to get a quote, or to schedule your Tampa home for immediate bed bug elimination services. Our team is standing by and ready with your answer to pests.