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

Have you spotted a few bedbugs in your home? They might’ve been spotted while crawling out of your luggage. If this is the case, you’ll want to deal with the issue before it worsens. Initially, you may believe that you don’t have a serious problem. You might suspect that you can get rid of the bedbugs and forget about them. Although this is possible, there is a good chance that more bedbugs are hiding in your home. It is rare for bedbugs to travel in small groups. These pests tend to live in large colonies. If you’ve found a few bedbugs, there is a good chance that there are more in your home. They could be hiding in small gaps and cracks that you haven’t inspected. Unfortunately, it may be hard to find out until it is too late. Working with a professional exterminator is highly recommended. Doing so will make it easier to identify the infestation and take care of it. When searching for a local exterminator, it is wise to obtain multiple quotes. Compare the quotes before picking the best exterminator in your area.

Risks Of A Few Bedbugs In Your Home

You can’t ignore the few bedbugs in your home because it might not be a few bedbugs. It could be many more. You’ll want to do what you can to address the problem before it worsens. These pests are tricky to identify because they hide in corners and crevices that are rarely inspected. You may not realize that you have bedbugs until the infestation gets worse. A few bedbugs might’ve climbed out of your luggage after a vacation. Alternatively, they might’ve entered your home from outside. However, the most likely scenario is that more bedbugs are hiding in your home and a few have come out of hiding for some reason. Plus, there is a risk that a female bedbug has entered your home, and she might be pregnant. If she is pregnant, she can create a full-blown infestation on her own. Therefore, you can’t ignore the bedbugs in your home. Remember that she can lay as many as 500 eggs during her life. Get rid of the pests or they’re going to reproduce and create more problems. When you find bedbugs in your home, it is pertinent to contact a professional. With their assistance, you’ll be able to eradicate the pests quickly. Bedbugs are only 7mm so they’re difficult to spot. Females have round abdomens but it is hard to tell the difference because they’re so small.

Difficulty Of Finding Bedbugs In Your Home

You need to work diligently to find the bedbugs in your home. It won’t be easy to find them because they excel at hiding. Another thing to note is that these pests are reddish-brown so they’re going to blend in with furniture and other hiding places. If they’re hiding on your bed frame, you likely won’t know it until it is too late. Plus, these pests tend to remain hidden when you’re awake. As a result, you’re not going to find them walking around your home. They’ll stay hidden until you’re sleeping. Once you go to bed, they’re going to come out of hiding and feed on your blood. Although these pests are going to bite, they might not lead to any symptoms. Some people will develop a red welt once they’ve been bit, but some won’t. You might get bit without realizing it.

Make Sure You’re Dealing With A Bedbug

Although it might look like a bedbug, it might not be. Therefore, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions right away. You need to step back, analyze the situation, and see what is going on. Bedbugs are small with most being less than 10mm in length. They’re oval and reddish-brown. If you look closely, you’ll see that the bedbugs have six legs and small antennas. These pests are often mistaken for others including fleas, carpet beetles, and cockroach nymphs. Make sure it is a bedbug before hiring an exterminator.

Signs To Check For

If you believe you have bedbugs in your home, you need to check for the following signs.
  • Bloodstains – Be sure to check your sheets for bloodstains. When bedbugs eat and get squashed, they’re going to leave a red bloodstain on your mattress.
  • Exoskeletons – Bedbugs are going to shed their skin at some point. When they do, they’re going to leave the skin around your home. Their skins are mostly translucent but they look identical to bedbugs.
  • Egg Materials – Bedbugs lay eggs. Those eggs eventually hatch. When you have bedbugs in your home, you’re going to find eggs and egg casings.
  • Feces – Bedbugs will leave feces in your home. Be sure to look for black spots that look like ink spots. If you find something that matches the description, it could be bedbug feces.
  • Bites – Check for bite marks on your skin. Bedbug bites can leave a red, itchy welt on your body. They’re primarily found on your arms, back, neck, and legs.
  • Odor – Sniff the room. Do you notice a musty, sweet odor? If so, it could be the scent of bedbugs.

Searching Your Home For Bedbugs

Before hiring a professional, it is wise to search your home for bedbugs. Doing so doesn’t have to be difficult. Start in your bedroom since most bedbugs are going to hide here. They’ll hide on your mattress and box spring. Remove all of the sheets and pillows so you can check the mattress thoroughly. While removing the sheets, be sure to check the folds of the fabrics. Bedbugs are easier to spot when they’re hiding on your sheets. Then, you need to focus on searching your mattress and box spring. Be sure to flip the mattress because bedbugs could be hiding on either side. After you’ve searched the mattress and box spring, focus on searching the bed frame. Bedbugs can hide in the cracks and corners of the frame. Just remember that they’re reddish-brown so they might blend in with the frame. It might be easier to spot them when you use a flashlight. Finally, you’ll need to check your electrical outlets, baseboards, furniture, and clothes. Don’t stop until you’ve confirmed that you have bedbugs. If you do, it is time to hire a professional.

Hiring A Qualified Exterminator

Have you found bedbugs in your home? If so, it is time to get in touch with a qualified exterminator. However, you may decide to kill the bugs on your own. You likely won’t be able to get rid of all of them, but you can remove some of them. One way to kill bedbugs is by throwing them in the dryer. Bedbugs could be hiding in your sheets, covers, clothes, and pillowcases. Grab all of these and throw them into your dryer. Switch to the hottest temperature and turn it on. Let the dryer run for 15 minutes or longer. Once you’ve done that, the bedbugs will die. Any bedbugs on your clothes will die. They can’t handle these extreme temperatures. Them, you’ll want to hire a qualified exterminator. An exterminator will help you get rid of the bedbugs in your home.

Questions You Might Have

Could It Be A Single Bedbug?

It might be one or two bedbugs. It might’ve crawled in from outside. However, there is a slim chance that it is only one. Instead, there is a better chance that you have more bedbugs too. Address the problem quickly or you may regret it.

What Is The Best Thing To Do?

You should fix the problem immediately. Don’t delay since it is only going to worsen. Call an exterminator and take care of it.

How Many Bedbugs Are Required For An Infestation?

There is no exact number. An infestation could include any number of bedbugs. It could be hundreds or thousands.

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