Despite your premium mattress, freshly cleaned soft sheets, and regular sleeping schedule, something is not right. Your sleep has been restless, and you think it might have something to do with the bites you keep finding on your skin upon waking. After a little bit of research, you find yourself here reading a blog about bed bugs. This is a good thing because we are going to give you what you need to know in order to determine if your home has bed bugs and what that means for you.
How To Identify A Bed Bug Infestation
One thing you should know about bed bugs is that when you are awake they are hiding. Only when you are asleep do they emerge to feed on your blood. This can make spotting bed bugs themselves very difficult. What you can look for, however, are the signs they leave behind. Here are just a few.
Spots of dried blood on mattress covers and sheets
Speckles of reddish-black fecal matter near cracks and crevices and on baseboards and door frames throughout your room
A musty odor in the air
Bites on your skin running in a straight line or zig-zag pattern
If you can’t spot any signs, but still suspect bed bugs after looking for yourself, you can always give us a call. We would be happy to send one of our service technicians your way to inspect your home. They can let you know for certain if you are in the clear.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
For many years bed bugs were thought to be just a nuisance pest, only causing problems like anemia and sleeplessness when infestations became severe. Recent studies, however, have linked bed bugs to a disease known as Chagas. This disease is spread by parasites hosted withing the bodies of bed bugs. These parasites can be transferred to humans during a bed bug’s feeding. As of this point, it is still being determined how much of a threat bed bugs really are, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Can Bed Bugs Be Prevented?
Bed bugs do not get into homes in the same way other pests do, through cracks, under doors, or through windows. Bed bugs use items we carry and even our own clothing to hitch rides into our homes. This makes preventing them extremely difficult. There are, however, a few things you can do to minimize your risk of bringing home bed bugs.
Wash used clothing in hot water after long trips immediately after getting home.
Check rooms you are staying in when away from home for the signs of bed bugs we talked about earlier.
Avoid setting your bag or luggage in one place for more than 20 minutes when out in public.
Teach your family and friends about bed bugs so they can avoid infestations themselves.
How Insect IQ Can Help Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Here at Insect IQ Inc, we take bed bug problems seriously. If you are up against these sleep-wrecking pests in your Modesto home, don’t be afraid to reach out to us. With our state-of-the-art pest control equipment and top-of-the-line bed bug treatment options, we will have your home bed bug-free ASAP.
If you have questions about bed bugs or would like to schedule an appointment for your Modesto property, give us a call today!
