Bed Bugs In Virginia

How do I identify bed bugs?

Bed bugs can be tricky to identify because what they look like depends greatly on their life stage when observed.

Listed below are a few things that will help you to identify bed bugs correctly:

• Before feeding, adult bed bugs are flat and oval and have no wings. They are about 1/4 of an inch in length and are reddish-brown. They are apple-seed-like in appearance.

• After feeding, the adult’s bodies expand and become more oblong. Their color also changes to a deeper, purplish-red. 

• Newly-hatched bed bug nymphs are no larger than the head of a pin. They look similar to adults but are smaller in size and almost translucent in color. Nymphs are much easier to spot after feeding, as their bodies turn bright red.

• Bed bug eggs are extremely small, approximately 1mm in size. They are whitish in color, making them almost invisible to the human eye and very difficult to detect.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Bed bugs are not known to transmit any serious diseases. Some people may have an allergic reaction to their bites. Their bites appear in a line or cluster of three or more on your skin and are very itchy, which can lead to secondary infections requiring medical attention. In addition, a bed bug infestation can create a lot of stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights for you and your family.

Where are bed bugs found?

You can find bed bugs congregating in public places where there are many people because human blood is their primary food source. Libraries, schools, movie theaters, airports, hotels, motels, stores, office buildings, and hospitals are just a few places where you can find bed bugs. The more people moving about in public spaces, the higher the likelihood of bed bugs. Bed bugs can’t fly, so they hitchhike their way into new environments inside personal belongings such as luggage, bags, purses, or clothing. Hitchhiking allows more and new people to contact these parasitic pests and transports them to new environments.

What are the signs of a bed bug infestation?

There are several signs that bed bugs leave behind when living inside a home or other building. The first and probably most apparent sign of a bed bug infestation is finding live bed bugs in your home in places like the seams of mattresses, in the cracks of walls, in the crevices of wooded furniture, under piles of dirty laundry, and inside electronics.

Another sign is finding rusty or red blood stains or dark streaks of excrement on bed sheets, mattresses, and box springs. The evidence of bites on your skin is another sign that bed bugs are living inside your home. Bed bug bites are usually present on arms, legs, and other skin exposed while sleeping. However, it is important to note that most people do not have an allergic response to bed bug bites. Also, in the case of an infestation, a sicky-sweet odor may be noticeable throughout your home or in specific rooms of your home that are otherwise clean and free of moisture issues.

Does All Pest Control have any bed bug prevention tips?

Preventing contact with bed bugs and accidentally infesting your home with these blood-feeding bugs can be a tricky task. However, with some helpful tips from the experts at All Pest Control & Solutions, you can reduce your chances of introducing bed bugs into your home.

• When traveling, thoroughly inspect the room where you will be staying for signs of bed bugs. Pay close attention to mattresses, box springs, bedding, inside closets and drawers, and behind headboards.

• Also, when traveling, store your suitcases and other bags up off the floor. Keep your clothing in your suitcases and store items not currently used or worn in sealed plastic bags.

• After returning home from a trip, immediately unpack all suitcases and place all dirty laundry in one area. Immediately begin to wash and dry the clothing on a high heat cycle.

• Vacuum and wipe down the inside and outside of your suitcase before storing it.

• When spending time in public places, always keep your belongings such as coats, bags, and purses up off the ground to avoid picking up any hitch-hikers.

• Never purchase used furniture, mattresses, or box springs for use inside your home.

What should I do if I see bed bugs?

If you should see bed bugs or signs of bed bugs inside your home, immediately contact the professionals found at All Pest Control & Solutions so that treatment can begin sooner rather than later. Our highly-trained bed bug professionals have extensive experience eliminating bed bugs and use the latest technology to quickly and completely remove bed bugs from any home. To learn more about our tailored bed bug treatment plans, give the bed bug experts at All Pest Control & Solutions a call today.

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