How to Identify Bedbugs and Get Rid of Them

How to Identify Bedbugs

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Bedbugs are a serious public health problem across the country today. Cities like Baltimore and Washington D.C. commonly attempt to raise awareness of these disgusting creatures. The reality is that although most people are not going to experience problems being bitten by bedbugs, some people can suffer serious allergic reactions from them.

The difficulty with bedbugs is they can survive for months without a blood meal. This makes them extremely hard to get rid of without professional help.

The Main Signs of Infestation

Bedbugs are extremely small, which makes them difficult to spot. There are, however, some telltale signs you can look for on your bed.

The main signs are dark spots, which are bedbug excrement. You may also notice a musty odor, which comes from the scent glands of the bedbugs.

You may also notice bloodstains on your sheets and pillows. This is from where the bedbugs have fed on you during the night.

If you notice any of these signs, call an exterminator to confirm that you have a bedbug infestation.

HARRIS Bed Bug Traps - Parent (20-Pack)

Bedbugs are Never Far from their Hosts

What makes bedbugs so effective is their flattened bodies make them resilient hitchhikers. Although bedbugs were practically unheard of for more than 40 years in the U.S., the growth of international travel is said to have brought them back.

Although bedbugs are difficult to spot with the naked eye, their great weakness is they are never more than six to eight feet from their hosts. This makes an infestation relatively easy to treat.

Most bedbugs are somewhere on the mattress or the bed frame. Sometimes they can infest closets and the cracks in walls, however.

Should You Treat Bedbugs Yourself?

Many guides do say that you can simply clean your clothes and scrub your bed, but non-professionals may find it difficult to eliminate the infestation entirely.

Bedbugs breed slowly, but the fact they can live for more than six months means colonies can grow quickly. Failing to remove 100% of bedbugs guarantees that they will return sooner or later.

In this case, it is always best to call a professional pest control company. Bedbugs remain the most common type of domestic infestation in North America, so you know you will be in good hands.

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Does This Mean My Home is Dirty?

Homeowners often respond to infestations by savagely cleaning their homes. The most common myth is that bedbugs thrive in dirty houses. This is untrue. Bedbugs do not care whether your home is dirty or sparkling clean. They can thrive in both environments, which means the cleanliness of your house does not play a role in whether you will get a bedbug infestation.

The only way to eliminate a bedbug infestation is a chemical treatment, and for this, you need to call a professional exterminator.

Conclusion

Stop waking up with red welts all over your body by getting in touch with a professional exterminator. They will be able to effectively and safely remove any bedbugs present within your home.

Have you experienced a bedbug infestation in your home?