Parents tuck us in at night and tell us and tell us to “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bites.” Bed bugs are found today and are more prevalent than ever. You need to be aware of bedbugs and know how to identify them on the spot. They are small and flat with oval-shaped bodies without wings. Adults are brown in color and their bodies can become red, elongated and balloon like after a feeding. They can measure 0.16 to 0.20 inches and can resemble an apple seed. You’ll need to put an end to an infestation once you’ve confirmed you have one.
Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are very good at hiding, but careless when it comes to hiding the evidence of their presence. This makes the signs they’re there the best indicator that your room is teeming with bed bugs because secondary signs of the infestation are noticed day and night.
1. Cast/shed bed bug skins, exoskeletons or shells. The exoskeleton is the clear bed bug shell and it’s shed as the bed bug grows bigger.
2. Fecal/blood stains on bedding, mattresses or pajamas. The fecal stains are different than blood stains. Bed bugs will feed on the blood of their host at night. We assume that all the blood stains should have blood in them, but they don’t. The reason being, the fecal spotting looks more like smears or stains that are dark brown or even black. The blood has already been digested before it’s excreted.
3. Sweet odor of bed bugs. You may be able to smell an infestation. There’s a musty odor that is produced through the glands on the lower part of their bodies.
Symptoms and Treatment of Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs will attack in the middle of the night without you even knowing it. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states, “Bites on the skin are a poor indicator of a bed bug infestation. Bed bug bites can look like bites from other insects (such as mosquitoes or chiggers), rashes (such as eczema or fungal infections) or even hives. Some people do not react to bed bug bites at all.” In fact, 70% of people don’t react to bed bug bites. There’s evidence that more exposure will be a factor as to whether or not you will react to a bite. The reaction is from the anesthetic in the saliva of the bed bug. You may notice raised welts that are red, itching and burning, a bite rash across a localized area in a cluster or multiple bites in a straight line. If you have multiple bites, blisters, oozing pus or any signs you might be having a severe allergic reaction or infection caused by bed bug, you should see a dermatologist. For the most part, you’ll need to wash the bites with soap and water to reduce the chance of infection and ease the itchiness. Corticosteroid cream can be applied to the bites to help with the itch and stronger creams require a prescription.
Bed Bug Inspection & Treatment
Treatment for bed bugs involves more than treating the bites. Without eradication, new bites will appear before the existing bites have begun to fade away. You need to eliminate the infestation immediately and you’ll need professionals to do it. Contact Stewart Termite & Pest Control so you can sleep without being a meal for bed bugs.