Why Do I Have Bed Bugs?
With populations rising dramatically over the past decade, unfortunately, many people are increasingly asking this question. Bed bugs are a major pest concern year-round, and the only thing they need to survive is being in proximity to people. Here are the signs of bed bug infestations, mistakes homeowners make in bringing them home, drawbacks to DIY bed bug removal, and the sure way to eliminate bed bugs and keep them from coming back.
Signs Of Bed Bug Infestations
Bed bugs are tiny reddish-brown insects that grow to be about the size and shape of an appleseed. Nymphs are a similar shape but nearly colorless. While it’s not impossible to see bed bugs, it’s also unlikely unless an infestation has become very advanced. There are more subtle signs of bed bugs to be on the lookout for, such as:
- Small reddish-brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery, or walls
- Drops of blood in bedding materials
- White, sticky eggs or empty egg casings
- Shed bed bug skins
- A sweet or musty odor
- Bed bug bites, usually occurring in lines or clusters
Bed bugs may be small, but they create big headaches and spread quickly. For the best results, it is essential to eliminate bed bug infestations early before they have had a chance to spread throughout a home.
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Mistakes Homeowners Make
Like many other parasites, bed bugs are attracted to people as their main food source, but they are unique in how they get into our homes. Bed bugs are known as hitchhiking pests. They do not jump or fly or even crawl in through faulty screens. Instead, bed bugs lie in wait in populated areas, and when the opportunity arises, they will climb onto someone’s belongings and catch a ride into their home.
Bed bugs can be found anywhere there are people nearby, but there are some locations that are known as bed bug “hotspots.” These areas carry a greater risk of having bed bugs present and include:
- Airports
- Train and bus stations
- Movie theaters
- Hotels and other temporary lodgings
- Libraries
- Retail clothing stores
As these areas carry greater risks, it is important to take precautions. Make sure to keep your belongings off the floor of these spaces and away from the belongings of others. When traveling, keep your luggage sealed and always check your room for signs of bed bugs before settling in. Following a trip, it’s a good idea to wash all of your clothing on high heat to eliminate any bed bugs that may have snuck into your bags.
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Pitfalls Of DIY Bed Bug Removal
When a bed bug infestation is discovered, the natural reaction is to want to take care of it as soon as possible. For many homeowners, this means a quick search of the internet and turning immediately to DIY methods, but this often is not the best approach. Despite their name, bed bugs don’t just stay in the bedroom. They will travel anywhere they have access to food at night and often find hiding places in other furniture, cracks in the floor, electrical outlets, or even small appliances. It can be challenging to find and treat them all.
In addition to being challenging, DIY bed bug control carries some risks. Store-bought chemicals can be difficult to apply correctly without training and often become a health concern. Not only that but many commercially available spray or bomb treatments are not strong enough to kill bed bugs — yet bed bugs are averse to them. This leads to bed bugs scattering into other areas of your home or even through walls into neighboring spaces.
Attempting to treat bed bugs in all stages of life, in all areas of a home often ends up costing far more in both time and money than a professional approach.
