If you have heard anything about bed bugs, it’s probably about how incredibly difficult they are to get rid of. These small bugs feed on the blood of humans and animals and live in your furniture, mainly your bed where they know food will be accessible to them every night.
While just the thought of bed bugs may be enough to make you squirm, if you find yourself in a position where you think they may have infested your home, there is something that you can do about it. While DIY treatments may not be the most effective, a professional pest control company like Earthwise Pest Management can help.
Read on to learn more about bed bugs, what they look like, and how to know if they have infested your home. When you are ready to rid your house of this pest for good, contact the team at Earthwise Pest Management.
What Are Bed Bugs And What Do They Look Like?
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped, flat brownish insects. They are often found in furniture including beds and couches, but can also hide in rugs, clothing, luggage, and other items. They feed on the blood of animals and humans, and after they have fed, their bodies swell and are more reddish in color.
Bed bugs tend to live in furniture where it’s easy for them to access food. Many times, those who have bed bugs will wake with small red bumps in the morning from the bugs biting and feeding at night. Often, the bumps are attributed to other causes such as mosquitoes. Bed bugs are so small they can go unnoticed for some time unless you look for them specifically.
How Do I Prevent Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are becoming more and more popular as of late. They tend to hitch rides to travel from place to place. For example, if you are at a movie theatre where bed bugs are present, the bugs can come home with you on your clothing. Additionally, those who stay in a hotel with an infestation can bring the bugs home in their luggage. Purchasing or picking up second-hand furniture from a curb is another common way that people can unknowingly bring bed bugs into their home.
In order to prevent bed bugs in your house, you should check for them when these instances may occur. If you’re staying out of town in a hotel, lift up the sheets on the bed and check for bed bugs. Also, be weary of bringing home second-hand furniture, and do a once over before you bring anything into your home. Being vigilant is the best way to prevent bed bugs.
How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs?
Occasionally even the most vigilant person will accidentally bring bed bugs into their home. A few things that may be signs of an infestation that you should look out for include:
- A musty odor. This is caused by the bugs’ scent glands.
- Blood stains on your bed sheets or pillow cases.
- Dark spots on your sheets or mattress caused by bed bug excrement.
- Shed skins or egg shells on your bed or in other furniture.
- Small red bite marks on the parts of your skin that were exposed during sleeping.
Can I Get Rid of Bed Bugs On My Own?
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of on your own. Even if you successfully remove the bed bugs from your mattress, chances are, the bugs are located in other areas of your home as well such as in the carpet, in your clothing, and on other furniture around the house. You can certainly attempt to tackle a bed bug infestation on your own, but most DIY attempts are not effective. The best option is to hire a professional pest control company. They have the experience, expertise, and equipment needed to rid your home of bed bugs for good.
Earthwise Pest Management – The Sacramento Pest Control Experts
At Earthwise Pest Management, you can count on us to tackle your bed bug infestation for good. Our Sacramento pest control company is dedicated to providing our customers with unparalleled service and an unbeatable customer experience. When you work with Earthwise Pest Management, you can be absolutely sure that your home is bed bug-free. Contact us today and we’ll get you started with a free estimate.