At the end of a long day, most people can’t wait to get into bed. Unfortunately, there might be other tiny creatures in the bed with you. These pests are known as bed bugs and they can cause quite a bit of damage. Statistics show that 93% of pest professionals have treated bed bugs in single family homes. Unfortunately, these bugs are extremely tiny which makes them difficult to detect. That being said, there are ways to find out if these bugs are potentially in your home. Considering that, here are five signs of a bed bug infestation.
- Itchy Bumps on Your Skin
One of the first signs of a bed bug infestation is noticing small red bumps on your skin. Unfortunately, bed bugs are known to feed off of humans. Therefore, it’s common for these animals to immediately begin feasting on whoever is laying in an infested bed. If you’ve been waking up itchier than usual, look closely at your skin. These pests leave bites without a red dot in the center, a distinguishing characteristic of bed bugs. - Groups of Tiny Dark Dots on Your Bed
In order to detect the presence of bed bugs, you’ll need to know what they look like. These bugs are extremely small, meaning they could take a bit of effort to find. If need be, you’ll want to consider getting a flashlight and a magnifying glass. The amounts of bed bugs you might encounter depends on the severity of your infestation. You’ll want to look over every part of your bed. It’s best to pull off comforters, sheets, and any other bedding in order to find these pests. You’ll want to look for any groupings of small black dots. If you’re seeing these dots anywhere on your bedding, you’re likely dealing with a bed bug infestation. - Small Bugs Near Your Bed and Closet
While they are named bed bugs, it’s important to note that these pests reproduce quickly. Therefore, you’ll commonly find these bugs in locations other than your bed. You’ll want to check any and all furniture near your bed for these pests. Unfortunately, bed bugs also love jumping from beds to your clothes. This means it’s also wise to check the clothes in your closet for any small black dots. - You’re Noticing Strange Smells in Your Bedroom
Many people who are living with these pests begin to notice an odd smell in their respective bedrooms. This occurs because these bugs have scent glands that are known for emitting unpleasant smells. If you’ve previously dealt with bed bugs, you’re more likely to instantly recognize this musky odor. - Small Red Stains Begin Appearing
As mentioned earlier, bed bugs love to feed on human skin. If this continues to happen, you’re likely to start noticing small blood stains on your bedding. On the other hand, this blood could also be from bed bugs that have been smashed throughout the night. Regardless of where the blood is coming from, it’s another sign you’re probably dealing with bed bugs.
To summarize, there are several signs of a possible bed bug infestation. If you think you’re dealing with this problem, it’s wise to contact an extermination service. Statistics show that 99.6% of pest professionals have treated bed bugs in the past 12 months. Because of their small size and numbers, bed bug removal isn’t easy to accomplish on your own. However, an extermination service can utilize their own bed bug treatments in order to get these pests out of your home. If left untreated, bed bug problems usually worsen. Therefore, it’s best to contact an extermination service as soon as you’re aware bed bugs are invading your home.