Not too long ago, bed bugs were thought to be a problem of the past. Unfortunately, over the past few decades, they’ve made a strong comeback and are now a common pest in the United States. These blood-sucking parasites cause itchy welts on the skin and rob you of the safety and comfort you deserve in your own home. So, to spare yourself the stress, you need to know the signs of bed bugs in San Antonio.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They usually measure between 3/16 and 1/4 inch in length and have a flat oval-shaped body with a reddish-brown coloration. They are relatively slow to reproduce compared to other insects, but an individual bed bug female can still lay more than 200 eggs in its lifetime, making an infestation significantly worse if left untreated.
Bed bugs are elusive and spend much of their time hiding, which can make confirming an infestation difficult. And even if you do spot a bed bug, it might not actually be one. Bed bugs are often mistaken for other small insects like ticks, fleas, cockroach nymphs, and carpet beetles. Misidentification can cause folks to spend unnecessary money on home bed bug treatments when in fact they are suffering from another pest entirely.
If you do have bed bugs, you’re much more likely to see signs of infestation than actual insects.
About Bed Bug Bites
The biggest sign of a bed bug infestation is the appearance of bites on the body. While other pests can bite you in your sleep, there are some trademark features of bed bug bites.
Bed bug bites usually appear as swollen, itchy, red welts on areas of skin left exposed while you sleep; your hands, arms, neck, and face are all favorite spots. Bed bug bites usually appear in clusters with many bites grouped closely together, but can also appear in a line or zig-zag pattern along the skin.
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, both of which you provide while you sleep. As parasites, they need blood in order to survive, and a sleeping human being has plenty to offer. They can feed nonstop for up to an hour and only emerge from their hiding places to eat.
Signs Of Bed Bugs
Besides bites on the skin, there are other telltale signs of bed bug infestation that you should know about:
- Stains on bed sheets and pillowcases – As bed bugs feed, they excrete waste that appears as rusty brown stains on your bedsheets. You might also find small red blotches on your sheets, caused by bed bugs you crush in your sleep while they feed.
- Eggs and shed skin – As an infestation grows, bed bugs may leave behind eggs and shed skin around the areas in which they breed and feed. A molted shell can confirm a bed bug infestation.
- Strange odor – Bed bugs produce a peculiar smell that’s sometimes described as sweet and musty. If you notice an unfamiliar odor developing around your home in addition to these other signs, it could be bed bugs.
It’s important to remember that bed bugs don’t just live in your bed, or even your bedroom for that matter. Bed bugs can be found in the furniture in your living room, the folds of curtains, or even hiding in electronic appliances around the house.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs around your home, don’t wait another minute. Get in touch with the experts at White Knight Pest Control. Our experienced technicians will properly identify bed bugs in your home and eliminate them once and for all. Contact us today.