Of all the pests that Colorado Springs homeowners face, one of the most tedious is the bed bug. That’s because bed bugs are very difficult to prevent. Once they are inside a home, bed bugs are challenging to eliminate. What’s worse, due to the small size of bed bugs, many people don’t know when they have a bed bug infestation in their home. You need to know the signs of a bed bug infestation so that you can act quickly to call the professionals and remove the bed bugs from your Colorado Springs home should it become infested.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Although bed bugs are small, they are not invisible. This means you can spot them in your home. Bed bugs are sometimes referred to as apple seeds with legs due to their shape and coloration. Bed bugs have flat bodies and are reddish-brown in color. However, after they feed on a blood meal, their bodies will engorge and turn to a deep reddish-purple.
Bed bugs are parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and some birds. However, their favorite source of food is us humans, which is why they like to invade our homes. Bed bugs derive their name from the fact that they will often make their homes inside mattresses and box springs. This is because bed bugs are nocturnal and these locations provide them with easy access to sleeping humans upon whom they can feed. Although a bed bug infestation may start around a bed, if it is not dealt with promptly, the bed bugs will spread throughout a home, making it even more difficult to get rid of them.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Homes?
Bed bugs, more often than not, get into homes by hitching rides on us humans. People will pick bed bugs up while they are out in the world and then unknowingly bring them home with them. The places you are most likely to pick up bed bugs are referred to as bed bug hotspots. Some common bed bug hotspots include transportation hubs, lodging establishments, schools, hospitals, and any other location that has many people coming and going on a daily basis.
What Are The Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation?
Because bed bugs are small and nocturnal, many people don’t know when they have a bed bug infestation in their home. As such, it is important to know the signs of a bed bug infestation so that you can tell if your home is infested. Typically, the first sign of a bed bug infestation is the appearance of bite marks on your skin. These bite marks look similar to mosquito bites and appear as red bumps, which can be itchy. However, while mosquito bites seem to be randomly placed, bed bug bites will often appear in lines. Other signs of a bed bug infestation include:
- Bloodstains on sheets and pillowcases.
- Rust-colored stains from bed bug excrement on sheets, pillowcases, and upholstered furniture.
- A musty smell coming from around the bed or upholstered furniture.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bug Infestations
If you notice any of the signs of a bed bug infestation, contact the professionals here at Beeline Pest Control right away. Here at Beeline Pest Control, we have an extensive knowledge of bed bugs and their infestations which means we know how to effectively eliminate them from a home. Then, you can rest assured that your home is bed bug-free. Don’t lose sleep over bed bugs. Give us a call today.