Bed Bugs 101: What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them
We have all heard of bed bugs, but we have not all seen them before. Honestly, many of us do not even know what bed bugs really are or why they occur. Bed bugs are gross, and living in shared quarters with them is not only unsettling, but also unsafe. We have created a simple guide on identifying bed bugs, getting some background information on bed bugs, and bed bug treatment options to help you navigate these creepy crawlers.
Identifiers
Bed bugs are actually bigger than some people would expect. While immature bed bugs are smaller, the adults are about the size of an apple seed. They are red/brown in color, and have no wings. While they are given the title of “bed” bugs, they can really be found on any kind of furniture in your house like couches and pillows.
Habits/Diet
Bed bugs typically travel in packs, which makes sense considering that they reproduce fairly quickly. A female bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, and as long as they have a food source, they will continue to grow. Bed bugs are good at hiding. While you may think it would be hard to miss a bug the size of an apple seed on your mattress, the truth is that they are very flat and do not nest. Because of this, they are always hiding. Bed bugs look for safe, secure spaces to hide out until it is safe for them to feed, essentially. In the event that they are in your mattress, you would not necessarily know about them until you get bitten by one. Bed bugs shed their skin many times before maturing completely, and in order to shed, they must feed beforehand. That means that bed bugs are feasting on you and your pets in order to grow into an even bigger, more mature bug. The longer they feast on you, the worse the population could become.
Habitat
Bed bugs live in spaces where they have access to human or animal blood, so anywhere that you tend to frequently sit or lay for hours makes the perfect home for these bugs. They may find their way into your home on luggage, on the backs of your pets, clothing, or used furniture.
Signs
It is not all that hard to determine if you have bed bugs or not. Check your bedding for rust-colored stains. These happen when bed bugs get squished on your mattress. If you wake up with bites that you did not go to sleep with, this is another sure sign that you have bed bugs.
Treatments
The only reliable way to treat bed bugs is to hire a professional. As soon as you suspect that you are dealing with bed bugs, call Valor Pest Solutions. Hiring a professional exterminator will not only eliminate the problem, but experts can help advise you on how to prevent bed bugs from coming around again. As mentioned before, bed bugs reproduce quickly, so trying to treat it on your own can be counterproductive. Giving bed bugs more time to populate can lead a total takeover in your home, and leave you with immense discomfort. Instead of waiting around, call Valor Pest Solutions to fix your bed bug problem and allow you to feel safe in your own home once again.
