Bedbugs have spread across the United States like wildfire. As a result, there is a risk that you’re going to experience an infestation at some point. You might find bedbugs crawling around your home. If this happens, you may suspect that it isn’t a big deal. Could it be one or two bedbugs? You might get lucky, but there is a good chance that your home has more bedbugs.
You might have a full-blown infestation in your home, but you haven’t figured it out yet. You might have only spotted a few bedbugs. However, there are likely more. Whether you’ve found two bedbugs or one hundred, you need to contact a professional as soon as possible. Don’t rush this process though. Spend time obtaining quotes from several companies so you can get the best price.
Risks With Bedbugs
You may suspect that your home only has a few bedbugs. You can get rid of those bedbugs and everything will be okay. Ultimately, this might happen, but it might not. Bedbugs tend to travel and live in large groups. Plus, they’re great at hiding. Unfortunately, this combination means that you may not notice the infestation until it is too late. Another issue is that you might be dealing with a pregnant female bedbug. She can lay as many as 500 eggs during her life.
If it is a pregnant female, the problem is likely going to worsen rapidly. Whether you’ve found two, ten, or countless bedbugs, address the problem rapidly. You can achieve this goal by working with an exterminator. Bedbugs tend to grow up to seven millimeters so they’re difficult to see.
Spotting Bedbugs Is Not Easy
Bedbugs are covert. As a result, spotting them won’t be easy. They’re thin, reddish-brown, and hide exceptionally well. Thanks to their color, they often blend in with the furniture. Plus, they don’t fly and usually don’t come out when you’re awake. You’re likely not going to find them crawling around your bedroom. They can change their schedule to match yours. If you sleep during the day, they’ll feed during the day and hide at night.
When bedbugs bite, they might leave a mark. However, they might not. Bedbug bites don’t leave a mark every time. They might leave a red welt.
Identifying Bedbugs
You might have bedbugs in your home, but it could be another bug. Bedbugs are always less than 10mm in length. They are oval with six legs. In addition to this, they have antennas. Bedbugs are similar to carpet beetles, fleas, and cockroach nymphs.
Common Signs
If you suspect you have bedbugs in your home, you need to check for the following signs.
- Smell Test – Take a sniff of the bedroom. If it has a musty, sweet odor, it could be bedbugs. They release a foul odor from their scent glands.
- Bites – Bedbugs bite and sometimes leave bite marks. These bites leave red, itchy welts. They can be found on your arm, neck, or face.
- Bloodstains – Check your mattress and covers for bloodstains. Bedbugs will leave a bloodstain when they’re crushed.
- Exoskeletons – You’ll also want to look for bedbug skins and exoskeletons. They look like bedbugs but they’re translucent.
- Eggs – Bedbugs reproduce regularly. Therefore, they might leave bedbug eggs and casings around your home.
- Feces – Finally, check your home for feces. If you find black spots around your home and they look like ink spots, it might be bedbug feces.
Checking A Home For Bedbugs
Before hiring an exterminator, you may want to search your home for bedbugs. Doing so can help you confirm an infestation before hiring a professional. To get started, check your bedroom. When searching your bedroom, it is pertinent to focus on your bedroom. Most bedbugs are going to hide in your bedroom. In particular, roughly 90% of the bedbugs are going to live on the mattress. Check the mattress, box spring, covers, sheets, and pillows. Don’t forget to flip the mattress and check both sides.
Look closely at every crease and fold. Don’t forget to check the bed frame because bedbugs could be hiding there as well. You may need to take the frame apart to find out about the bedbug infestation. Bedbugs can hide anywhere in the home, so you’ll need to check baseboards, carpets, clothing, luggage, and rugs. You’ll also need to check electrical outlets, electronic devices, and boxes under your bed.
Hiring A Professional
There are several things you can do to eliminate a bedbug infestation in your home. For instance, you’ll want to grab your clothes and sheets and throw them into your dryer. Once you’ve done that, turn on the dryer and use the hottest temperature. Let the clothes and sheets dry for 15 minutes or longer. The heat will eliminate the bedbugs. They cannot tolerate the heat.
However, you have to understand that you cannot eliminate all of the bedbugs this way. If there are more bedbugs in your home, you’ll need to call an exterminator to get rid of them. Be sure to search your options before picking the best exterminator in your area.
Frequent Questions
Is It Only One Bedbug?
In some cases, a few bedbugs can be found in a residential dwelling. However, there is a higher chance that you have more bedbugs in your home. Bedbugs travel and live in large groups, so there are likely more.
What Steps Should You Take?
Once you’ve spotted bedbugs in your dwelling, you need to take steps to fix the problem quickly. Start by finding an exterminator. Do extensive research and hire the best exterminator in your area.
How Many Bedbugs Are Required For An Infestation?
There is no set number. It could be 10, 20, 50, or more.