Being able to identify a foreign invader in your home is the first step to getting rid of them for good, and this is especially true for bed bugs. These little critters can look like other small brown bugs, but when left to their own devices, things can get out of hand quickly, and they can infest your entire home. If you think you might have bed bugs in your home and want to nip this problem in the bud early on, read on to find out how you can identify these pesky pests.
Physical Features of Bedbugs
Adult bed bugs are wingless insects that have small, flat, oval-shaped bodies. They have a total of six legs, two antennae, and are brown in colour. They measure between 4-7 mm in size, and they are often described as looking similar to an apple seed. Bed bugs feed on blood to survive, and they have piercing-sucking mouthparts.
A common misconception about bed bugs is that they are invisible to the naked eye, but this isn’t necessarily the case for fully grown ones. The naked eye can detect adult bed bugs and you should be able to spot them in the cracks and crevices they like to hide in.
Immature, or nymph, bed bugs, on the other hand, aren’t as easy to detect. They range from 2-5 mm in length and are translucent in colour. They do, however, turn a bright red colour in the abdomen area after feeding, which makes them a bit more noticeable.
Female bed bugs usually lay a few eggs a day that are about 1 mm in length and light cream in colour.
Other Signs You May Have Bedbugs
Since bed bugs are so small in size, oftentimes the best way to determine you have them is by looking for signs other than their physical presence in your home. Here are some other indications that you have a bed bug infestation:
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Small Blood Stains On Your Bed
Not surprisingly, bed bugs are known for residing in people’s beds, hence their name. These pests like to stay close to their food source and feed on human blood at night. Once they are done feeding, they leave behind small rust-coloured spots. These telltale spots are typically found near the edges and corners of the bed.
In your search for these small blood stains, you may also come across small brown ovals, which are the bed bug’s shedded exoskeletons.
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Red, Itchy Spots
The bite marks bed bugs leave behind are also an indication of their presence in your home. If you notice flat, red welts appearing in small clusters or zigzag lines on your arms and shoulders, there’s a good chance these hitchhikers have made their way into your residence. While bed bugs don’t spread diseases, their bites do tend to be quite irritating.
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A Musty Odour
The scent of bed bug’s pheromones can be pretty strong, and many people describe the smell of them as a musty odour similar to that of a wet towel. The more bed bugs you have, the stronger the smell will be.
To prevent the smell from getting out of hand, start inspecting your home as soon as you notice an unpleasant odour. Here are some hotspots bed bugs like to hide:
- In the corners and seams of beds.
- In the cracks and crevices of upholstered furniture.
- Around the edges of carpets.
- In dark hidden places, including behind dressers, behind headboards, and underneath beds.
- Inside closets and on clothing.
It is possible to go for an extended period of time without knowing you have bed bugs, but with this guide, you’ll be well equipped to spot them early on and take the steps necessary to get rid of them. And if you want to make sure your beg bugs will be gone in no time, Bed Bug Exterminator Pro is the place to go!
At Bed Bug Exterminator Pro, our unique bed bug extermination techniques have been proven to exterminate all bed bugs and prevent future bed bug infestations. Using our bed bug heat treatment services, you won’t need to remove your clothes or furniture from your home, and all bed bugs, insects, and moulds will be eliminated from your home in just one visit, guaranteed! Contact us today to take advantage of the best bed bug extermination services in Toronto!