If there is any pest that can disrupt a home, bed bugs have to be the worst. Not only do they cause physical harm, but bed bugs are also tricky to eliminate, forcing many out of their homes for long periods. Bed bugs in are more common in York, Hanover and Gettysburg than you may think; prepare before an infestation occurs, so you know how to handle them.
Where do bed bugs come from?
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not attracted to homes because of filth. Any home can quickly become invaded with bed bugs, yes, even those that sparkle. Bed bugs are a hitchhiker insect, which means they travel easily from one place to another and are typically transported in luggage, bags, and clothes. Hotels are a hotspot where you can unknowingly pick up the bug in your suitcase and carry it home. They live in groups in hiding places, including beds and box springs.
How to identify bed bugs
These six-legged bugs are flat, and adults are a one-quarter inch in length while nymphs are as small as 1.3mm, making them difficult to spot. While they are tiny, you can see them when they move or hunt for their next feeding. Before feeding, bed bugs are brown and flat; however, they become red and swollen after they eat.
Signs of bed bugs
If you spot bugs but are unsure whether they are bed bugs, here are some signs that you have an infestation.
Dark stains on sheets. Check sheets and bedding for small, reddish marks or colors.
Dirt on your bed. What may look like dirt at first glance may be casings from the bed bugs. As they eat and grow, the bugs shed their skin, leaving small brown flakes behind.
Rice-like debris. Another common sign of bed bugs is rice-like debris in your bed that are bed bug eggs. If they appear semi-transparent or white and are fully intact, the eggs have not hatched yet. If you find pieces of the shell, they have already hatched and scurried off to hide.
Musty smell. Bed bugs can cause your home to smell musty or mildewy, similar to wet laundry left overnight in the washing machine. In the case of bed bugs, the smell will not disappear even after cleaning.
Red spots on your skin. Bed bugs feed on blood, including animals and humans. If you notice red bumps or bites on your skin, they could be bed bug bites. These bugs often feed at night, which means you may see marks in the early morning that were not present the day before.
Steps to get rid of bed bugs
It is easiest to pick up bed bug products and sprays at the grocery store, but they don’t always do the trick long term. It is best to talk to a reputable pest control company about their bed bug remediation services to destroy the infestation.
If you are having a bed bug problem at your home business, give us a call at (717) 229-9818 or send us a message and we’ll be happy help to stop what’s “bugging you”!
