Signs Of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs. Just hearing the name can make your skin crawl. Unfortunately, dealing with bed bugs is more than just an itchy inconvenience for property owners in Jacksonville and along the First Coast. These biting pests are small, but they can cause big problems. In today’s blog post, we’ll look at what these pests are, their associated problems, and how to tell if bed bugs have infested your home (or business). We’ll also offer a few helpful tips to keep these pests from taking over and explain how our local pest control company can help you get rid of bed bugs if it’s too late. 

What are bed bugs exactly? 

Bed bugs are small bugs that feed on the blood of humans and sometimes animals. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are reddish-brown in color. They’re relatively flat but will plump up after a blood meal. 

Bed bug nymphs look very similar to adults, only smaller and more translucent or pale white in color. After feeding, their bodies will become darker. 

Bed bug eggs are tiny, about the size of a pinhead, and pearl-white or translucent. They are usually sticky when first laid, which helps them adhere to surfaces. 

Why are bed bugs a problem?

Bed bugs are very hard to get rid of; they can survive months without feeding and are experts at hiding. Once they’ve settled in, they reproduce quickly. For homeowners and other property owners, especially those managing rentals or commercial lodgings, a bed bug infestation can cause severe headaches. Not only do these biting pests cause anxiety, stress, and sleepless nights, but an infestation can result in unhappy tenants, loss of business, and potential damage to reputation. 

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that bed bugs do not spread disease, and they don’t cause physical damage to properties. Still, they’re not a pest you want in your home or business. 

Signs of bed bug activity

Spotting a bed bug infestation early can save you from dealing with a full-blown infestation later. Here’s a list of common signs of bed bug activity: 

• Bed bug bites
  Bed bug bites usually appear in a straight line or cluster. For most people, they cause red, itchy welts to pop up. It’s not always immediate either; it can take several days before bites become noticeable. Bed bug bites are usually found on exposed skin like arms, legs, and necks.
• Red or dark stains on bedding
  It’s not uncommon for bed bugs to get crushed as they feed on their sleeping victims; when this happens, red stains or blood are often left behind on the fabric. Darker brown or black stains are likely bed bug excrement.
• Shed skins or exoskeletons
  As juvenile bed bugs transition to adults, they go through several molts. During these molts, they shed their outer layer (exoskeleton). Finding these pale, empty shells near sleeping areas and other infested spaces is a good indication of an infestation.
• Bed bug eggs
  Bed bug eggs are often found along mattress seams, cracks in furniture, and other areas where bed bugs are likely to hide.
• Live bed bugs
  This goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway! Spotting live bed bugs crawling along the mattress seam, resting on the headboard, or hiding out in other bed bug hot spots is a sure sign of a problem in progress.
• A musty odor
  In cases of larger infestations, bed bugs can produce a musty, sweet odor. 

Bed bug prevention tips for homeowners

Although knowing how to tell if you’re dealing with a bed bug problem is helpful, it’s even better to know how to prevent these biting bugs from infesting. With that in mind, check out the bed bug prevention tips we’ve listed below:

• Install bed bug-proof mattress and box spring encasements, even if you’ve never had a bed bug scare.
• Be cautious about bringing secondhand furniture, clothing, and other used items home. Thoroughly inspect for evidence of bed bugs before introducing used things.
• Inspect your belongings, mattresses, bedframe, and other furniture regularly, especially if you travel a lot.
• Eliminate potential bed bug hiding spots by clearing out clutter in your home.
• When traveling, use hard-cased luggage and work out of your suitcase rather than the drawers provided in your accommodation. 

While the EPA has recommended considering purchasing a portable heating chamber to treat items suspected of having bed bugs, we urge extreme caution. Propane or kerosene heaters that are not specifically registered with the EPA as pest control devices are not safe to use in homes. Also, a space heater is not a good option and has serious safety issues, including the risk of fire. 

Professional bed bug extermination is the best way to eradicate these pests

At Lindsey Pest Services, our pest control specialists are highly trained and fully licensed and know how to eradicate bed bugs—adults, nymphs, and eggs! 

When you contact us for help, we’ll start by inspecting the space. If bed bugs are confirmed, we will create a customized bed bug treatment plan and explain what steps you’ll need to take to prepare for service. On treatment day, we’ll get to work exterminating these pests and then return every two weeks until the infestation is completely gone. 

We’re so confident we can solve your bed bug problem that we’ll guarantee our bed bug control services for one whole year if you’re willing to do your part (we’ll explain what that is in person), and don’t mind us stopping by every 45 days to re-inspect. 

Don’t lose another night’s sleep worrying about bed bugs; contact our local, woman-owned pest control company when you notice a bed bug problem; you can count on us! 

This blog was originally published on March 10, 2021; it has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information available.