Bedbugs are flat insects without wings; they generally crawl and are white at birth and turn brown as they grow into adults. The bedbugs turn red in color upon feeding. They are mostly active at night. However, some people are not affected and don’t necessarily get a reaction when bitten by bed bugs.
Even though the bed bugs can live for months or years without food, they do feed on animal or human blood causing allergy, eczema or fungal infections – which are usually very itchy. Bedbugs do not transmit any infections or diseases like other pests.
Where do bedbugs come from?
Bed bugs are found all over the world. They are mostly found in public dwellings populated or frequented by many people, living especially in the places such as:
- Hotels
- Motels
- Hospitals
- College dorms
- Apartments
- Multi family complexes
- Offices
Bedbugs are likely to travel to your house from the places mentioned above through various means such as:
- Luggage
- Suitcases
- Boxes
- Clothes
- Pillows
- Furniture or any other object
Do I Have Bed Bugs?
The most telling and revealing sign that you have bedbugs is a bedbug bite bite mark on your body that turns red, itchy, and swells. Look out for tiny spots of blood stains on your pillows, bedsheets or on mattresses. You also may notice dark drops of insect waste on your furniture, wall, floors, and other areas. Additionally, bedbugs ooze a rather musty odor that comes from their glands. An odorous residue is often yellow or beige and may be left on places bed bugs have gathered. Often bed bugs are discovered together and in groups because they prefer warmth.
Bedbugs are usually found on the bed, pillows, floors, furniture, wood, dustbin or the trash, or garbage bins during the daytime. They crawl and generally hide in dark places during the day such as behind wallpaper, pictures, pleats of the curtains, unused appliances, stoves and the like.
Simple Measures or Precautions to Prevent Bed Bugs
Finding treasure on the streets or at second-hand stores is always fun. Be sure to check any you plan to bring home – furniture, bed, mattresses, pillows before bringing them into your home. Clean or vacuum your home frequently. Remove all trash and keep it outside your dwelling area. Avoid clutter around the bed and at home, so that bed bugs can’t hide. When traveling, check the hotel room beds, pillows, mattress, and cupboards before using them. Do not directly place the luggage, handbags, backpacks or any other items on the bed, couches, or cupboards without checking it first.
In case bedbugs are found on bedsheets, curtains, pillow covers, they need to be washed in hot water and dried thoroughly. Medium-high temperature or highest temperature in the dryer can kill the bugs. Be careful while using the shared laundry in a complex. And lastly, repair the cracks and plumbing immediately. Seal each hole in the wall.
When to Call for Bed Bug Pest Control Specialist in South Florida
Getting bed bugs under control or complete eradication needs time and much patience. If you are unsure if you have bedbugs, consult a South Florida pest control expert. Be wary of products advertised that remedy your bedbug problem as most are ineffective. These pesticides can kill the bugs that are seen with the naked eyes rather than the one hiding in the dark areas like wallpapers, pleats of the curtains, etc.
You will need to find out which room is affected first. It is not necessary that bedbugs are found only in the bedroom. They move from one room to another quickly and there are chances they infest the entire house and the neighboring houses too.
Checking with your neighbors or previous residents is not enough as most people are unaware of their bedbug problem. Generally, bugs are found in the places where people sleep. It would be a good idea to isolate the bed, couch, or any other items infested by bed bugs in a room and then be treated. The rest of the rooms in the house need equal pesticidal treatment as a preventive measure. While spraying the chemicals on the bed, pillows or the mattress it is important to see the label which says it can be used on bedding as these chemicals can be harmful.
Do not throw away the mattress, bed or any furniture that may be infected as they could be expensive to replace. Instead, invest that money wisely and hire the best pest control professional or exterminator service to get rid of the bed bugs in record time, safely, and with ease.
