It is fairly common to have sleeping troubles. However, if your issues involve more than just tossing and turning, you may have bed bugs.
For instance – if you wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that you have something crawling all over you, you should turn on the lights on immediately investigate your surroundings.
The problem is that these pesky pests are quite clever, so here are some equally clever ways to determine if you’re sharing your dwelling with them.
Physical Appearance
The main problem with bedbugs is that they are extremely tiny. Fully grown adult bedbugs are about the size of an apple seed with a rusty red or brown colour. However small they are, they are not invisible. If you do feel something crawling on you in your sleep you will be able to see them. The best way to determine if you have bed bugs is to do some research so you know what you’re up against.
Wait until Nightfall
If you’re looking for bedbugs during the day, you’re out of luck. These critters are nocturnal. Wait until the sun sets to start your investigation.
Hot Spots
Now that you know what they look like and when they are most active, figure out where in your room they are most likely to inhabit. These nightcrawlers love dark, cave-like spaces. Be sure to check:
- Mattresses
- Inside of books
- Inside alarm clocks
- Carpets
- Area rugs
- Closets
- Clothing
- Car seats
- Office chairs
- Seats on public transit
- Inside of wood framing of bed
- Inside of headboard
- Couches
- Armchairs
- Electrical outlets
- Light switches
- Cracks in wallpaper
- Cracks in floorboard
Bed Bug Bites
If you wake up with red, itchy marks on the areas of your body that are exposed while you sleep, you likely have bedbugs. Their bites are similar to mosquito bites but often appear in straight lines or rows. Fortunately, some people do not react to bed bug bites. However, this unfortunately makes it harder to determine if you have bed bugs.
Friends and Family
If someone close to you has bedbugs, you are at a higher risk of getting them. These little bugs are travellers, so if you stay at someone’s house for a long period of time they can potentially crawl into your clothes or handbags. If you know someone with bedbugs, it’s best to avoid them until they get them fully exterminated.
Hotels
If you frequently stay in hotels, you are more susceptible to bringing bedbugs home on your trip. It is a common misconception that only low-rent hotels have bedbugs. However, these pests don’t discriminate. They don’t care if the room is $50 per night or a five-star suite, they only care about their next meal. If you do stay in a hotel, here are some tips on ensuring the only thing you bring home is a souvenir.
Second-Hand Furniture
As tempting as it is to bring home a new couch or armchair from a thrift store or sidewalk sale, we would recommend avoiding it. A lot of the time, people give away or sell furniture for cheap because of bed bug infestations. If you already have second-hand furniture, do a thorough investigation for any bedbugs so you can be sure.
Interception Devices or Active Monitors
An extremely clever way to determine whether or not you have bedbugs is to install interception devices. Research has proven interceptors or monitors are a highly effective methods to determine the presence of bedbugs. These devices will trap bedbugs as they move from their hiding spots to beds and furniture. Install them underneath or near to the legs of beds, other fabric furniture or closets to detect bedbugs you may have missed. You should leave them for two to four weeks and check them for bedbugs once every couple of days.
Mattress and Box Spring Encasements
If you are stressed out about potentially having bedbugs, you may also want to invest in a mattress and box spring encasement. They are essentially mattress covers that can not only help you determine if you have bedbugs but protect your actual mattress from the critters. The encasement restricts the pests to the exterior of the mattress so you can easily view them. For some peace of mind and a sound sleep, these covers are a solid investment.
Of course, the best way to determine if you have bedbugs is to call an exterminator to confirm.
Contact Pestend today for bedbug extermination services if you’ve gone through all these steps and need either an investigator or an exterminator to free yourself from bedbugs for good!