It’s no secret that bed bugs are extremely hard to find, not to mention one of the most difficult pests on the planet to get rid of. If you don’t spot these annoying little nightcrawlers early on, you could wind up with a massive infestation that is going to wreak havoc on your home or business, costing you headaches and serious cash down the line.
When it comes to dealing with bed bugs, your first line of defense is always prevention, but if you think you have bed bugs, then learn how to do a proper bed bug inspection in Vancouver.
What’s the Lowdown on Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, nocturnal insects that grow to about the size of an apple seed. They are usually brown in color unless they have been feasting on you all night, in which case they will take on a more reddish shade. Learning to identify them early can help you avoid needing professional bed bug treatment later on.
Bed bugs aren’t dumb. These crafty creatures want to be as close to their food (you) as possible. So, as their name suggests, expect to find them hanging out in mattresses, bedding, and box springs. But don’t underestimate these opportunistic creepy-crawlies, as bed bugs can also be found living in walls, sofas, furniture, frames, clothing, bags, purses, and even electrical devices.
Bed Bug Inspection Can’t Be That Hard, Can It?
Ask any unfortunate soul who has ever had to deal with these revolting insects—detecting bed bugs is no easy task. Because bed bugs are sneaky little buggers, they’ll hide in just about any crack or crevice, making it almost impossible to zero in on them without X-ray vision.
Believe it or not, you can have an infestation right under your nose and not even know it. So if you can’t outright see bed bugs, how will you really know, like really, really know, if you have a bed bug problem? Fortunately, there are a few telling signs to help point you in the right direction for bed bug inspection.
Bed Bug Sign # 1: Bites
Woke up covered in unexplainable red marks? You could have bedbugs. One of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation is bites. Bed bug bites show up in rows or clusters and look like flat or raised red welts. Bite marks tend to appear on the arms, shoulders, neck, and face, commonly exposed areas of the body that bed bugs can easily reach. Bed bug bites could look like those shown in this image.
Although not everyone responds the same way to bed bug bites. In some cases, people may have no visible reaction at all. If you have been bitten, there is no need to panic. Bed bugs don’t spread diseases, but their bites can be itchy. If you develop an allergic reaction, such as rashes, hives, or blisters, you should probably visit your doctor.
Bed Bug Sign#2: Blood Stains
Another tell-tale sign of an infestation that many people tend to overlook is bedbug bloodstains. These tiny reddish or rusty-coloured stains or smears normally happen when you move or roll over and squash a recently fed bedbug during your sleep. So, if you wake up covered in bed bug bites and your sheets are littered with bed bug blood stains, it’s a pretty clear indication you’ve got an infestation on your hands.
Bed Bug Sign #3: Feces
We hate to be the bearers of bad news (especially when it’s of the disgusting variety), but blood stains aren’t the only visible signs leftover by bug bugs. Have you discovered dark or black stains on your sheets? Well, if you haven’t already figured it out, that’s dried bed bug feces.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, bed sheets are just one of the places you’ll find bed bug fecal matter. You’ll need to check along the mattress seams, the edges, and corners of box springs, and areas in and around the headboard. You’ll also want to inspect any furniture near your bed, including nightstands and dressers. Make sure to examine the cracks and corners of drawers for signs of bed bug feces.
Bed Bug Sign #4: Eggs
Creeped out enough yet? Sorry, but we have a bit more nastiness to add to your bed bug inspection chores. Another sure-fire sign of a bed bug infestation is the presence of bed bug eggs and empty shells. And believe us, there’ll be no shortage of them. A single female can lay over 5 eggs a day; that’s an astounding 500 eggs before she kicks the bucket.
Bed bug eggs are tiny and range from translucent to white. Similar in shape to a grain of rice, the eggs and the empty shells are minuscule (around 1 mm). So tracking them down is going to take a little detective work and perhaps even a magnifying glass. When it comes to hunting down bed bug eggs, you can’t be thorough enough. Be sure to inspect even the tiniest nooks and crannies.
Bed Bug Sign #5: Shells
If you have a bed bug infestation, you may also come across bed bug shells. As young bed bugs (nymphs) grow, they will shed their skin, leaving behind a clear, empty exoskeleton. They do this a total of 5 times before reaching maturity. That’s a ton of shed skin, so there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find some when you’re searching for bed bugs.
How to Look For Bed Bugs
Now that you know what signs to look for, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, grab a flashlight, and get down to business. Here are some quick-and-easy steps to help you track down these pesky parasites before they take over your home or business.
Search for signs of bed bugs on the sheets, in the mattress seams, between the mattress and the box spring, by the headboard, and on the carpet under the bed. Also, remember to pull the bed away from the wall and check the back.
Check any furniture near your bed. Examine and empty your nightstands and dressers, and carefully inspect all cracks and corners. Remember to pull out the drawers and search the bottom and the undersides of them. You’ll also want to check underneath the furniture for signs of bed bugs. In severe infestations, professional bed bug furniture removal may be recommended to help stop the spread and improve treatment results.
Bed bugs can hide almost anywhere, including picture frames, lighting fixtures, furniture, and small cracks near the bed. If you suspect an infestation, carefully inspect your belongings before moving them to other areas of your home. Place clothing, bedding, and curtains into sealed garbage bags to help contain the problem.
Dry all washable items on the hottest dryer setting for at least 2 hours to help kill bed bugs and their eggs. After drying, inspect each item carefully before putting it back. If you find signs of bed bugs, seal the affected items in heavy-duty bags and inspect the rest of your home because bed bugs can easily spread from room to room.
If you think this sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. Bed bug inspection is a necessary evil that should not be taken lightly. Just one of these nasty pests is enough to start a full-blown infestation, costing you time, money, and many sleepless nights. When it comes to winning the war on bed bugs, the best option is to contact a professional company or a trusted exterminator in North Vancouver. These specialists have the training, tools, and experience to find them, properly identify them, and get rid of them fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to inspect for bed bugs?
Start by checking mattress seams, box springs, headboards, furniture cracks, and bedding for live bugs, dark stains, eggs, or shed skins. A flashlight can help you inspect small hiding spots.
How to identify bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. You may also notice bites, blood stains, dark fecal spots, or shed skins near sleeping areas.
How to know if I have bed bugs?
Common signs include itchy bites after sleeping, blood stains on sheets, dark spots on mattresses, musty odors, and live bugs hiding near the bed or furniture.
How to know if your bed has bed bugs?
Inspect the mattress seams, box spring, pillows, and headboard for live bugs, eggs, shed skins, or small black stains. Bed bugs usually stay close to where people sleep.
How to test for bed bugs?
A visual inspection is the most common way to test for bed bugs. Professional pest control companies can also perform detailed inspections to confirm whether an infestation is present.
We take bed bug inspection very seriously. Our inspection technicians know exactly where to look and how to identify them immediately. If bed bugs are found, we will begin treatment on the spot and return as many times as necessary to rid your home of these nasty insects once and for all. We do pest control in North Vancouver, too.
Solutions To Your Pest Control Issues
Here at Solutions Pest Control, we take bed bug inspection very seriously. Our inspection technicians know exactly where to look and how to identify them immediately. If bed bugs are found, we will begin treatment on the spot and return as many times as necessary to rid your home of these nasty insects once and for all.
Our team is ready to solve your Bed Bug issues. Schedule a service today!
