Bed bugs can be a nightmare for people who have to deal with them on a regular basis. It is important to know how to get rid of these pesky pests, but it may not be as easy as you think. Once you have them in your home, it is very difficult to get rid of them entirely. There are some simple steps that people can take to make sure their homes don’t become infested with bed bugs. You can try a few things before calling an exterminator or pest control company. The first step is to inspect your home for signs of these pests. A thorough inspection will give you a good idea of where they are hiding and how many there are. It will help you decide whether or not it would be worth the time and money to call someone in for help. Once you know where they are, then you can start trying different ways of getting rid of them. If all else fails, then hire an exterminator who specializes in dealing with bed bugs. They may even be able to save the day if they find a way to remove them without hurting anyone’s health too much along the way.
You could also be interested in How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Sofas: The Definitive Guide.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They are only about 1/4 inch long, which is barely visible to the naked eye. There are over 100 different species of bed bugs that live in every region of the world. They do not have wings and cannot fly; therefore they can move very quickly when disturbed or around food sources.
Where Do Bed Bugs Live?
Bedbugs tend to live in dark places such as mattresses, box springs, behind baseboards, or inside upholstered furniture. Because bedbugs are nocturnal (meaning they hide during the day), finding them may be difficult at first but eventually, they will come out and start biting people if given a chance. Bedbugs most often bite humans where there is skin exposed: arms, legs, neck, and face near hairline and ears.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
The most common type of bed bug found in homes today is the brownish-red, flat, and oval-shaped bed bug. However, there are other types of bed bugs that include:
Black Bed Bug
This type of bed bug is shiny black in color with a distinctive red spot on the back of its body. The red spot may be difficult to see because it blends in with the dark coloration of their bodies. This type of bed bug can be identified by looking for an oval shape when viewed from an above or side view. They also tend to have six legs instead of five like other types and they do not have wings.
Brown Bed Bug
These are similar to the Black Bed Bugs except they lack a distinct red marking on their backs.
Wooly Bear or Dog Tick (American)
The wooly bear or dog tick looks like a small brown leaf when first discovered but will quickly grow into an adult size about 1/4 inch long with four legs covered in short hair; therefore making them look like a small, one-eyed brown bear or dog.
Cimex lectularius is the scientific name for this type of bed bug. Cimex means “wool” and Lactarius means “bedbug.” Other common names include:
American Bed Bug (Latin)
This species of bed bug is also known as the American Bed Bug because they were first found in New York City. They are similar to other types in that they have a flat, oval shape when viewed from an above or side view; however, their bodies are covered with short hairs giving them a fuzzy appearance.
What Attracts Bed Bugs to Your Home?
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, which is what makes your body give off. They feed on any blood they can get their mouths on by sucking out the life of a host (human or animal). If you suspect that bed bugs are living in your home, it is important to seal all cracks and crevices where you may have seen them enter.
How Do I Know if I Have Bed Bugs?
All types of bed bugs will leave skin bite marks after feeding; however, some bites take longer than others to appear. The first sign of an infestation is when you find small fecal pellets around the baseboards or behind upholstered furniture. If this happens then there is a good chance that bedbugs are present in your home because these areas are known for harboring these pests.
When looking for signs of a possible infestation, it’s important to check everywhere: mattresses, box springs, carpets, headboards, footboards,
4 Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation In Your Home
The following are some of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation in your home:
- Small, reddish spots on your mattress and box spring. These little red bumps may look like bites but they could be caused by many other pests such as fleas or mites. Bed bugs can also leave tiny black dots called “bed bug fecal matter”. This fecal matter is actually a waste product from their digestive system and it can be found anywhere you see these bite marks (including on mattresses, sheets, pillowcases, etc.).
- Dark brown stains or small blood spots on your mattress or box spring coverings. Bed bugs will usually only make a significant number of blood-soaked markings when they are feeding heavily and have recently fed upon an individual that has not been treated with insecticide (usually within 24-72 hours).
- Black specks on surfaces around your bed or furniture that appear to be dried blood staining (on wood furniture, linens, etc.). This is not bedded bug fecal matter. It is actually a product of their digestive waste and it will usually appear on surfaces where they have been feeding the most recently (within 2 weeks).
- Small red bumps or small, black dots are visible on your skin or clothing. Bed bugs can leave these bite marks as well as other types of bites so it is important to check for them all over your body and in areas where you sleep at night (especially around the head and neck).
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs have an oval-shaped body with dark brown or reddish-brown coloration. They are about 1/16″ long and they do not have wings like many other insects. Adult bed bugs feed primarily on blood from humans but they also feed upon blood from other animals such as bats, birds, mice, cats, dogs (and even newborn babies), etc. Their legs are very long compared to their bodies which
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs: 5 Steps To Take Right Now
- Step 1: If you think that you may have bed bugs, then it is important to act quickly. You should immediately begin treating your home with a pest control company (at least 2-3 days before they arrive). There are many different types of pest control companies that specialize in getting rid of bed bugs and all will give you the same basic advice on how to get rid of them.
- Step 2: It is very important for you to make sure that your pest control company has access to a good amount of insecticide. There are certain products out there, including special repellents, which can assist in reducing the numbers of these pests so it is always best if you can find a company that provides this type of service.
- Step 3: After your exterminator has been able to treat your home for bed bugs, it is still possible for new infestations to develop at any time during their treatment process or after the fact. So, after they have left, be sure and inspect all of your belongings, especially any items that you brought into the house from outside.
- Step 4: Be sure and check all of your bedding (especially mattresses) for signs of bed bugs. It is very important to do this if you are going to be selling your home or moving in the future so that potential buyers will not purchase a home with an infestation present in it.
- Step 5: If you find bed bugs, then it is recommended that you immediately contact a pest control company and request their assistance as soon as possible. This will ensure that they can provide proper treatment against these pests while they are still active on your property.
How to check for bed bugs
- Look for dark spots on your mattress and bedsheets, especially around the seams. This is where they have been living and breeding throughout their entire life cycle (see above).
- Check all of the other furniture in your home too if you can. Bed bugs sometimes hide in cracks or crevices that are hidden from plain sight but are very obvious to a trained exterminator.
- Check your pillowcases and even inside of your clothes for signs of bed bugs which is often difficult because these pests do not leave noticeable feces behind when they feed upon you or another human being (as mentioned above). The best way to check for this is by carefully inspecting any items that were brought into the house from outside (such as luggage, clothing, etc.) since these items may harbor these critters in different areas than what would be visible to the naked eye (especially within clothing).
- Inspect all of your belongings carefully including shoes and bags which you may have brought into the house from outside. Bed bugs are sometimes found in these items and they will not be able to hide well enough if they have been transported inside of something that is already full of other belongings (such as a bag or suitcase) without having access to their hiding places.
- Inspect any furniture that you may have brought into your home from outside including mattresses, couches, chairs, etc. You should also inspect any electronic items such as television sets or computers for signs of bed bugs which can be difficult because these pests do not leave noticeable feces behind when they feed upon you or another human being (as mentioned above). The best way to check for this is by carefully inspecting any items that were brought into the house from outside (such as luggage, clothing, etc.) since these items may harbor these critters in different areas than what would be visible to the naked eye (especially within clothing).
- Inspect all of your linens and pillowcases carefully including your mattress and bedsheets. Bed bugs are sometimes found in these items and they will not be able to hide well enough if they have been transported inside of something that is already full of other belongings (such as a bag or suitcase) without having access to their hiding places.
- Inspect all of your clothing including shirts, pants, shoes, etc. You should also inspect any electronic items such as television sets or computers for signs of bed bugs which can be difficult because these pests do not leave noticeable feces behind when they feed upon you or another human being (as mentioned above). The best way to check for this is by carefully inspecting any items that were brought into the house from outside (such as luggage, clothing, etc.) since these items may harbor these critters in different areas than what would be visible to the naked eye (especially within clothing).
- Inspect all of your linens carefully including your pillowcases and even inside your clothes for signs of bed bugs which is often difficult because these pests do not leave noticeable feces behind when they feed upon you or another human being (as mentioned above). The best way to check for this is by carefully inspecting any items that were brought into the house from outside (such as luggage, clothing, etc.) since these items may harbor these critters in different areas than what would be visible to the naked eye (especially within clothing).
- Inspect your pets and especially their bedding including things such as pet beds, blankets, clothes, etc. Bed bugs are sometimes found in these items and they will not be able to hide well enough if they have been transported inside of something that is already full of other belongings (such as a bag or suitcase) without having access to their hiding places.
- Inspect all of your furniture inside and out including couches, chairs, tables, etc. You should also inspect any electronic items such as television sets or computers for signs of bed bugs which can be difficult
How do Pest Control Experts Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
There are several different ways that pest control professionals get rid of bed bugs. They include:
- Bed Bug Vacuum Cleaners use heat and suction to remove the pests from their hiding places (beds, mattresses, etc.) and also will kill them once they have been removed by the exterminator. These types of vacuum cleaners can be purchased at any local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
- Bed Bug Exterminating Pest Control Products that are sprayed within a room or area to kill all of the bed bug eggs and larvae as well as mature bed bugs so that they cannot survive anywhere else in your home including your clothing and other belongings. This type of product is usually found in stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Target, etc. Some brands may cost about $50-$150 per treatment while others may cost more depending on how many treatments it takes to get rid of the bed bugs completely.
- Bed Bug Spray Pest Control Products that are sprayed within a room or area to kill all of the bed bug eggs and larvae as well as mature bed bugs so that they cannot survive anywhere else in your home including your clothing and other belongings. This type of product is usually found in stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Target, etc. Some brands may cost about $50-$150 per treatment while others may cost more depending on how many treatments it takes to get rid of the bed bugs completely.
- Use Entomologist Pest Control Products which use toxic gases, sprays, dust, powders, aerosols to kill these pests (as mentioned above). These types of products are normally used by pest control professionals who have been trained by entomologists (researchers who study insects) in order to properly treat this type of pest problem that occurs indoors and out-of-doors. These types of products are normally found at the local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
- Use Bed Bug Traps that use a pheromone lure to attract and trap the bed bug so that it can be removed from your home after being exterminated by pest control professionals. These traps are normally used by pest control professionals who have been trained in order to properly treat this type of pest problem that occurs indoors and out-of-doors. They can be purchased at any local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
- Use Bed Bug Sprays which use toxic gases, sprays, powders, aerosols to kill these pests (as mentioned above) as well as their eggs which will eventually hatch into living adult bed bugs once they have crawled out of their hiding places such as mattresses, beds, couches, etc. These types of products are normally found at the local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
- Use Bed Bug Bags which use a sticky gel to trap and kill these pests so that they cannot survive anywhere else in your home including your clothing and other belongings. These bags can be purchased at any local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
- Use Carbon Dioxide Pest Control Products which use a non-toxic gas such as carbon dioxide within sealed containers to get rid of bed bugs. This type of product is normally found in stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Target, etc. Some brands may cost about $50-$150 per treatment while others may cost more depending on how many treatments it takes to get rid of the bed bugs completely.
- Use Insecticide Sprays to kill these pests (as mentioned above). These types of products are normally found at the local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
- Use Insecticide Bags which use a sticky gel to trap and kill these pests so that they cannot survive anywhere else in your home including your clothing and other belongings These bags can be purchased at any local home improvement store or online for around $100-$200 (depending on which one you buy).
How to Keep Bed Bugs Away from Your Home
- Use Vacuum cleaners to remove debris and dust from around your home including your mattress , box spring, couches , chairs, etc.. This will help to keep the bed bugs away from your home as these pests need a place to hide.
- Remove clutter that can be used by these pests such as boxes, bags, furniture and anything else they may be able to use in order to find a hiding place within your home .
- Keep all of your bedroom doors closed at all times if you are sleeping or using them so that they cannot crawl out into the rest of the room while you are inside it .
- Maintain an environment free of any food sources such as pet food (especially cat food), bird seed, crumbs, etc… This helps to prevent these pests from finding their way into your home through any openings or cracks in the walls or floors where they may have been able to get inside before when someone was eating at the table