How To Find Bed Bugs

Key Takeaways

• Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood.
• They hide in cracks and crevices, making them difficult to detect without careful inspection.
• Common signs of bed bug infestations include bites, bloodstains on bed sheets, and bed bug excrement.
• Early identification and professional extermination are key to eradicating infestations.

Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation

The most telling sign of a bed bug infestation is waking up with itchy bites on exposed skin. Bed bug bites are typically red and clustered in small groups or lines. These pests usually bite areas like the arms, neck, and legs during the night.

Other signs of an infestation include bloodstains on bed sheets, which can occur when bed bugs are squished after feeding. Bed bug excrement, appearing as small dark spots, may be found on mattresses, bed frames, and even nearby furniture. Additionally, bed bug eggs are tiny, white, and sticky, often hidden in cracks, seams, or other hard-to-reach places.

Where Bed Bugs Hide

Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures that prefer to hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in various small spaces. Common hiding spots include:

• Mattresses, box springs, and bed frames
• Cracks in walls or floors
• Behind loose wallpaper
• Inside furniture joints and seams
• Between cushions
• Inside electrical outlets or behind pictures on walls

They can also be found in clothes or luggage, which contributes to their rapid spread between locations.

What Bed Bugs Look Like

Bed bugs are small insects, about the size of an apple seed. They have flat, oval bodies and are reddish-brown in colour. After feeding, they become swollen and slightly more reddish due to the blood they consume. Bed bug eggs are small, white, and difficult to see with the naked eye, often found in clusters. Nymphs, or baby bed bugs, are smaller and lighter in colour until they mature after several feedings.

Health Risks Of Bed Bug Infestations

While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can lead to various health issues. Bites from bed bugs cause red, itchy welts, which can become infected if scratched excessively. In some cases, individuals may have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites, resulting in more severe itching or even hives.

Additionally, living in a home with a bed bug infestation can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and other psychological stress. The discomfort of bites, combined with the difficulty of removing bed bugs, can take a toll on mental health.

How To Look For Bed Bugs

Finding bed bugs requires a thorough inspection of common hiding spots, particularly around areas where people sleep. Here’s how to conduct an effective search:

1. Check the mattress and box spring: Carefully examine the seams and corners for bed bugs, bed bug excrement, and eggs.
2. Inspect bed frames and headboards: Use a flashlight to look at any cracks, joints, or screw holes where bed bugs might hide.
3. Examine furniture and clothes: Bed bugs can live in furniture crevices, upholstery seams, or even piles of clothes. Be sure to inspect closely for any signs of these pests.
4. Look behind wallpaper and inside wall cracks: Loose wallpaper, floorboards, and cracks in the wall can provide shelter for bed bugs.
5. Use traps or monitors: Bed bug monitors or sticky traps can help confirm an infestation by trapping bed bugs as they move.

Getting Rid Of & Preventing Bed Bug Infestations

Eliminating bed bugs can be a complex process, often requiring professional intervention for effective results. While some initial steps can help reduce an infestation, consulting a professional first ensures the most effective approach. Here are a few prevention tips to help keep bed bugs at bay:

• Avoid bringing in second-hand furniture or clothes without thoroughly inspecting and cleaning them.
• Use mattress and box spring encasements to prevent bed bugs from hiding in bedding.
• Vacuum regularly, focusing on floors, mattresses, and furniture, and dispose of the vacuum bag outside.
• Seal cracks and repair loose wallpaper to remove potential hiding spots.
• Be cautious when traveling by inspecting hotel rooms and keeping luggage off the floor to avoid bringing bed bugs home.

While these methods can help reduce the risk, bed bugs are persistent and may still find their way indoors.

When To Call An Exterminator

Many over-the-counter products and improperly attempted treatments can worsen bed bug infestations, causing them to spread and ultimately increasing the time and cost needed to eliminate them. For this reason, bed bugs are a pest issue best handled with a prompt inspection and evaluation by a pest management professional as soon as the problem is identified. Before attempting any treatments other than vacuuming, reach out to experienced bed bug exterminators in Winnipeg to ensure a comprehensive and effective solution.