You found one or two
bedbugs crawling around your home and you’re worried that it could be something bigger. Is it only a minor hiccup or are there more
bedbugs hiding in your home? Ultimately, it could be one or two bugs, but this isn’t likely. Instead, there is a good chance that you have a rapidly growing infestation that will be a full-blown problem soon.
When you find
bedbugs in your home,
calling an exterminator is the best reaction. If it is only one
bedbug, they’ll put your mind at ease and get rid of it. If you’re dealing with a bigger infestation, they’ll take care of it for you. Before choosing an exterminator, obtain quotes from several companies in your area so you can get the best deal.
Why A Few Bedbugs Matter
Bedbugs rarely travel alone. If you find one
bedbug in your home, there are likely a lot more around the corner. It could be one, but you don’t want to risk it. When dealing with pests, it is best to be pessimistic.
Bedbugs live in groups of hundreds of bedbugs, so it is best to prepare for the worst.
Another thing to note is female
bedbugs can carry a lot of eggs. She’ll be able to lay as many as 500 eggs during her life. If a pregnant female
bedbug finds her way inside of your home, she could create a bedbug infestation on her own.
Suffice to say, you cannot ignore the problem because it could be getting worse. At the maximum,
bedbugs can reach 7 millimeters so they’re not easy to see. Female bedbugs have round stomachs while males have pointed abdomens. However, bedbugs are so small that you may not be able to see the difference.
Difficulty Of Spotting Bedbugs
Bedbugs know how to hide better than many other pests. Plus, the problem is further complicated by the fact that bedbugs are incredibly thin and reddish-brown. These attributes mean that
bedbugs can hide among your furniture and you won’t know it. They can also hide in beds, carpets, rugs, and more. They do not fly so you won’t finding them soaring around your bedroom.
Bedbugs hide at night so you likely won’t see them when you’re awake. Although bedbugs bite, many bites do not lead to welts. You may not realize you’ve been bitten, so you won’t consider looking for
bedbugs.
Bedbug Appearances
If you suspect you’ve found a
bedbug, you’ll want to make sure you’re right. You should learn more about a
bedbug’s appearance. What do they look like? Well, they’re small with many being less than 7mm. They’re oval, reddish-brown, and thin. They have six legs and small antennas. Many people mistake
bedbugs for
fleas,
carpet beetles, and
cockroaches nymphs.
What To Look For To Find Bedbugs
If you suspect your home has
bedbugs, check for the following things.
Blood – First, you’ll want to check your mattress and bed sheets for bloodstains. If the bug is crushed, it’ll leave a stain on your sheet.
Skeletons – Bedbugs shed skin, so you’re going to find exoskeletons on your property. The exoskeletons are identical to
bedbugs, but they’re clear.
Eggs – If you have
bedbugs, you’ll find eggs and egg casings.
Feces – Bedbugs will leave fecal matter around your home. Their feces resembles small ink spots.
Look At Your Body – Look at your body to see if you can find
bedbug bite marks on your skin. You might find red welts on your neck, back, and arms. It could be bedbug bites.
Odor – Bedbugs cause a musty, unpleasant odor. If you smell something bad in your bedroom,
bedbugs might be the cause.
Finding Bedbugs
When you’re ready to begin searching your home for bedbugs, start with your bedroom. Bedbugs prefer staying as close to their food as possible. As a result, they’re going to take shelter in your bed, box springs, mattress, and bed frame. Remove all of the bedclothes, lift the mattress, and check these things carefully. Be sure to look at small gaps and folds.
Bedbugs are small enough to fit into the smallest of gaps.
Check your floor since
bedbugs can hide in carpets and rugs. Remember that bedbugs are as thin as a credit card, so they can hide in small crevices. They could be hiding around your walls, baseboards, and clothes. You’ll also want to look for the aforementioned signs of bedbugs. If you find feces, eggs, or exoskeletons, you need an
exterminator.
Calling A Professional Exterminator
You’re positive that your home has
bedbugs. Don’t wait to fix the problem because it won’t fix itself. Instead, you’ll need to hire an exterminator to rectify the problem before it ruins your health. When choosing an exterminator, pick a licensed company with excellent reviews. Don’t settle for less. Finally, obtains quotes from several companies so you can get the best results for your money.
Questions & Answers
Is It Only One Bug?
It might be one bedbug. However, there is a higher chance that more bedbugs are hiding in your home.
Bedbug infestations may start with one pregnant female. Don’t ignore the issue because it could be worse than you might imagine.
What Should I Do?
Don’t wait to get assistance. After you’ve found bedbugs in your
home,
call an exterminator.
How Many Bedbugs Make An Infestation?
There is no definite answer here. A bedbug infestation may contain 20, 50, or hundreds of bedbugs. The important thing is to fix the problem.