I Found A Few Bed Bugs – Does That Mean I’m Dealing With An Infestation?

When someone finds a few bedbugs in their home, they may ignore it. They’ll eliminate the pests and forget about it. They may not realize that more bedbugs could be hiding in their homes. Unfortunately, bedbugs rarely travel in small groups. There is a slim chance that one or two bedbugs have invaded your home. If you get rid of them, that could be the end of it. However, this is unlikely. Instead, there is a higher risk that more bedbugs are hiding in your home. They could be hiding on your mattress, box spring, and furniture. They could be reproducing rapidly, and you don’t know about it yet. If you continue ignoring the problem, the infestation will continue worsening until it is impossible to ignore. With this in mind, you should never ignore a bedbug infestation. Doing so will only lead to more problems and costlier solutions. Don’t hesitate to contact a local exterminator because you’re going to need professional help. Be sure to obtain quotes from multiple companies so you can get the best service at the best price.

Why You Have To Take A Fed Bedbugs Seriously

Although it is unlikely, a few bedbugs might’ve entered the home. If you get rid of them, you might not have to worry about others. Again, this is unlikely. Instead, you need to prepare to face an uphill battle. In all likelihood, more bedbugs are hiding in your home and you’ll need to get rid of them before it is too late. Bedbugs aren’t solitary pests since they prefer living in large groups. Furthermore, you might have a pregnant, female bedbug in your home. Even if she is alone, she could create a full-blown infestation. She’ll begin laying eggs and reproducing with the new bedbugs. During her life, she can lay as many as 500 bedbug eggs. Suffice to say, spotting a few bedbugs is a big deal that you cannot ignore. Once you’ve found bedbugs in your home, it is pertinent to pick up the phone and contact an experienced exterminator in your area. Are you worried you’ve seen a female bedbug? These pests are only 7mm in length so it’ll be difficult to determine the difference. However, you should look at the pest’s abdomen. If it has a pointed abdomen, it is a male bedbug. Female bedbugs have round abdomens.

It Is Hard To Pinpoint Bedbug Infestations

You won’t be able to identify a bedbug infestation easily. Instead, these pests will do everything they can to hide from you and your loved ones. Bedbugs are stealthy so they’re going to hide until you’re not awake. They’re small and incredibly thin. These bedbugs can be as thin as a debit card. They’re reddish-brown so they often blend in with the furniture in your home. They don’t fly and rarely crawl on the floor when people are awake. Again, they tend to sleep during the day while you’re awake. Once you’ve gone to bed, they’ll come out and try to feed on your blood. In some cases, a bedbug bite will lead to the victim developing an itchy, red welt. However, it might not cause any symptoms. Therefore, you might get bit and you may not realize it.

Are You Sure You’ve Seen A Bedbug?

You might believe you’ve seen a bedbug in your home. It could be a bedbug, but it might not be. Therefore, you need to work carefully to make sure it is indeed a bedbug. It could be, but it might be a flea, carpet beetle, or cockroach nymph. A bedbug will be less than 10mm in length. They’re reddish-brown and oval. When looking closely, you’re going to see six legs and two small antennas. It is a good idea to make sure it is a bedbug before calling a professional.

Bedbug Infestation Signs

Are you dealing with a bedbug infestation? Check for the following signs to confirm an infestation.

• Bloodstains – A bedbug infestation will lead to blood stains on your sheets and covers. Bedbugs can leave bloodstains on your sheets when they eat and get crushed. If they haven’t digested the meal, they’ll leave a small bloodstain on your cover.
• Skins – Bedbugs shed skin as they grow. Therefore, there is a good chance that you’re going to find translucent bedbug exoskeletons around your home.
• Egg Materials – Bedbugs lay eggs. When those eggs hatch, the egg casings will remain in your home. If you find eggs or egg casings, you have a bedbug problem and it is about to get worse.
• Feces – Don’t forget that bedbugs are going to use the bathroom around your home. These pests will use the bathroom anywhere. Their feces look like a small ink spot.
• Bites – Check your skin for bite marks. You may develop a red, itchy welt on your neck, face, legs, arms, and back. Check the spots where your body touches the mattress.
• Odor – Finally, smell the room. Bedbugs create a sweet, musty odor that is difficult to ignore. If you smell it, you have bedbugs in your home.

Searching A Residence For Bedbugs

Are you concerned that bedbugs might be hiding in your home? If so, you need to find out soon. If you don’t, the pests will continue reproducing and making the colony larger. Since most bedbugs hide in bedrooms, start by searching your bedroom first. Bedbugs prefer staying close to their primary food source so they’re going to hide on your mattress or box spring. Strip the sheets and covers from your bed so you can carefully search the mattress. Check the folds of the mattress. Then, flip the mattress and check the other side. Once you’ve finished with the mattress, you’ll want to check the box spring. Again, be sure to check both sides. You’ll also need to check your bed frame. These pests can hide in the cracks and crevices of bed frames. Since they’re reddish-brown, they’ll likely blend in with it well. Once you’ve finished with these items, move to your clothes, rugs, baseboards, and electrical outlets. You’ll have more success if you use a flashlight and credit card. Don’t forget to check for bedbugs, eggs, egg casings, and exoskeletons. If you find any of these things, you likely have bedbugs.

Hiring A Local Exterminator

Ultimately, you’re going to need professional assistance to wipe out the bedbug infestation. Still, there are things you can do to reduce the bedbug population. One of the first things you should do is throw your clothes, sheets, and covers into the dryer. Grab these items and place them in the dryer. Switch the dryer to one of the hottest settings. Once you’ve done that, you should dry the clothes for 15 minutes or longer. You need to use temperatures of 140 degrees or higher. Once you’ve done this, the bedbugs will succumb to these extreme temperatures. Then, you have to contact a professional to deal with the bedbugs still in your home. Once you’ve hired an exterminator, the professional will enter your home and inspect it for bedbugs. Once they’ve learned what they’re dealing with, they’ll work quickly to develop a solution. It is only a matter of time before they take care of the problem for you. Be sure to obtain quotes from multiple companies so you can get the best deal.

Questions You May Have

Is It One Bedbug?

There is a possibility that one bedbug is living in your home. It might’ve come in on your luggage or clothes. However, this is highly unlikely. Instead, you likely have more bedbugs in your home. Plus, it could be a pregnant female bedbug and she might create a bigger infestation within days.

What Is The Best Thing To Do?

If you’re looking for a solution, don’t hesitate to contact a local exterminator. You can’t afford to wait because the problem is only going to worsen. Even if you’ve only spotted one bedbug, call a professional.

How Many Bed Bugs Are Needed For An Infestation?

An infestation can have any number of bedbugs. For instance, it could be hundreds or thousands of bedbugs.