If you wake up in the middle of the night scratching away at your ankles, you might immediately blame mosquitoes or fleas. But there's a chance you could be blaming the wrong pest, and you may be dealing with bed bugs. Find out how to tell whether or not it's bed bugs and what you should do to protect yourself.
The Trouble With Identifying Bed Bugs
Some pests in Las Vegas Are easy to identify. For instance, cockroaches are pretty obvious. While you might not be able to tell one type of roach from another, you probably can tell the difference between a cockroach and an ant. However, bed bugs aren't as easy to identify.
There are a few reasons for this. First, there's the fact that bed bugs are extremely small. Much like fleas, bed bugs are hard to see. If you don't know what to look for, you may not even notice them. Another issue is the fact that bed bug bites have symptoms similar to flea bites. People often associate the itchiness and bumps from bed bug bites with fleas. Until you actually see the pest, you should wait to identify it. In fact, your best chance at a successful identification is to consult with a pest control expert.
What Does A Bed Bug Look Like?
So, how can you identify a bed bug? You could argue that bed bugs look like apple seeds. They're about the same size and shape as a seed but tend to be reddish-brown in color. As adults, bed bugs have six legs and two antennae.
The nymphs and eggs of bed bugs are smaller than the adults. Typically, the nymphs are translucent but become red as they feed. The nymphs shed their skins and eventually become a darker color. Because the nymphs are so light, they often go unnoticed.
Meanwhile, bed bug eggs are even smaller than the nymphs. They're about the size of a pinhead, white, and may have an eyespot. After an egg hatches into a nymph, the eggshells remain in fragments.
Where To Look For Bed Bugs
If you're not looking for bed bugs, you may never find them. Las Vegas bed bugs often hide under mattresses, but that's not the only place you'll find them. For example, bed bugs like to live in baseboards, upholstered furniture, and picture frames. Contrary to popular beliefs, bed bugs aren't only in bedrooms. When you suspect you have bed bugs, there are a few places you can look.
- Start by removing your sheets and checking for bloodstains. When bed bugs bite, they sometimes leave behind dots of blood.
- After the sheets are off, check the edges of your mattress. As you search, keep an eye out for bed bugs, shed skins, and bloodstains. Also, inspect the crevices of your mattress for signs of bed bugs.
- In some cases, bed bugs also live in mattress springs. Peek into the box spring and look for evidence of these pests. If you find fecal droppings or anything else out of the norm, you have a problem. Take your search into other rooms of your home, such as the living room and guest bedrooms.
What To Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs
Do you have concerns about bed bugs in your home? On your own, you can't confidently identify an infestation. The best thing you could do is call in a professional for assistance with effective bed bug control. Here at Anderson Pest Control, we can inspect your property for bed bugs and then take steps to eliminate them if found. We use only environmentally sound treatments safe for humans and pets. Call us today to learn more.