Bedbugs are small, oval, and brownish insects that feast on animal and human blood. They are almost the size of an apple seed and are very hard to notice, though one shouldn’t take a bedbug infestation lightly.
A lot of people believe that these pests originate from dirt in the house. Contrarily, they are not a sign of a dirty home or poor personal hygiene and spread from one person to the other.
Bedbugs hitchhike on people, clothes, and luggage; they go unnoticed since they hide in tight, secluded places and the clothes seams. Bedbugs do not spread diseases; their bite is always confused for a mosquito bite or simply a rash.
You have to see their presence for you to know it’s a bedbug bite, or else you will confuse it for a similar pest.
I bet just reading about them is sending chills down your spine!
Are bedbugs visible to the human eyes?
If you can feel them, you can see them too. So, yes, bedbugs are visible, although they are very good at hiding. You cannot get to see a bedbug during the day because they are active during the night. Why at night? It is because they are smart enough not to get smashed by you!
They attack at night when you are asleep. You will not feel any pain almost immediately after the bite, but the pain afterward will keep you all night scratching yourself like crazy.
What do bedbugs look like?
Bedbugs are recognized for their small, oval, and brown colors. Bedbugs have no wings, so they cannot fly; they are super-fast around the house. This is evident in the infected areas in the home. Their body is flat; this allows them to hide swiftly without being noticed in garments, mattresses, luggage, and upholstery furniture.
It is crucial to identify bedbugs before a pest control treatment as they are similar to other pests; this could blind your judgment. Bedbug eggs are light cream. The immature bedbugs are translucent in color.
They turn to bright red after feeding on blood. Their abdomen turns brown and eventually turns black when they digest your blood. An adult bedbug is brown.
How to differentiate bedbugs from other similar pests visually?
Bedbugs are similar to several pests, such as bat bugs and carpet beetle. Therefore, you should have a close look to examine bedbugs to have the correct treatment. Better yet, you can reach out to your pest control company to assist you. This way, you will be sure of what pest you are having and get it handled.
5 Major signs of a bedbug infestation
Having red, itchy spots
The effect of the bed bug bite is not almost immediately; you will feel pain after the bug has fed on you. Bedbugs inject an anesthetic and stop bleeding into your skin when they are biting. However, the bite is painful and very itchy.
Although their bites can be confused with other insect bites, it is crucial to look out for bed bugs in your house.
The bites can itch up to 14 days before they disappear.
These bites vary from one person to another. People with sensitive skin may experience itchiness for a long time compared to those with less sensitive skin.
While taking a shower, you will notice that they get even more painful. This is because while bathing, hot water strips moisture from your skin, and dry skin results in more itch.
You can use an antiseptic disinfectant liquid to ease the itchiness. However, if the pain persists, you should visit your doctor immediately. Most importantly, you have to control the bedbug infestation at its core.
Sleepless nights
Remember, bedbugs are active at night; this is the time we unwind to get some rest. So if your house is under attack, I am sorry it will be a long night. Bedbugs are sleep snatchers. You will be up all night scratching yourself and trying to figure out what is happening.
Then, finally, they will disrupt you to the point of changing your bedding only to realize nothing has changed.
You do not want to wake up in the morning with swollen red eyes looking tired because of bedbugs that decided to invade your house. Get the bed bugs away and have a professional do it; they can be a nuisance over time.
Unpleasant smell
Your nose as a sense of smell can alert you to a variety of scents. Through that, you can know if something is wrong or everything is okay. Well, everything is not well if you have a weird smell in your room.
Bedbugs release a very unpleasant, odor-like smell. People have different opinions on that. Some say it is like a damp cloth, rotten wood; either way, it’s a smell and an indication of a bedbug infestation.
Bedbugs release a scent when smashed too. They omit scents as their means of communication. When killed, they release a smell that communicates to the others they are in danger.
Bloodstains
Bedbugs survive by feasting on their host’s blood. So if you notice bloodstains on your sheets, pillow, and pajamas, that is a clear indication of bedbugs in your room. Bedbug’s excrement leaves behind rusty spots on mattresses and walls.
A live bedbug
Bedbugs are often mistaken for other insects that attack the home. They like to hide out in tight cracks, crevices, and mattress seams. You might want to have a check on your bed to get rid of all suspicion on bedbugs.
It will be easier if you look out for black ink stains on the wood of the bed. These are mostly bedbug residue and fecal matter. You will have to look at a close range to be lucky to see one as they are very tiny.
How to detect bedbug bites and how to treat them?
People are different, so are the effects of the bite from one individual to another. However, most bedbug bites are evident as a raised itchy bump that has a burning sensation. In addition, they cause irritation and discomfort.
Their bites are very itchy. Scratching the bites causes them to bleed and get more infected. That is why you get bloodstains on your bedsheets. Bedbugs bite the most exposed area while sleeping.
These bites can be in the neck, face, hands, legs, and shoulders. They are clustered together in a small region or a line. Bedbugs can be a nuisance and cause discomfort. As a result, some people tend to avoid sleeping to skip the bites; this affects their day-to-day life.
How to treat bedbug bites?
- You can treat bedbug bites by using antiseptic disinfectant while bathing. It will give you relief from the itchiness caused by the bedbugs.
- You can get over-the-counter painkillers to relieve swelling and pain.
- Apply anti-itch cream on the affected areas, such as hydrocortisone.
- You should avoid scratching the bites. I know this is hard, but you should. The more you keep scratching these bites, the more you risk more infections.
- It is rare for bedbug bites to cause allergic reactions. However, if this happens, kindly seek medical attention immediately!
- The best and effective way to treat bedbug bites is to get rid of the bedbugs. But, unfortunately, as much as you can treat these bites and their presence are still there, there is no good you are doing.
- Get time and contact a pest control company to rescue you from a daunting bedbug infestation.
How to get rid of bedbugs?
First of all, identify the affected areas. It will help you know to what intensity they have infested the house.
Remove all the bedding and wash them in hot water and air dry them in sunlight. Some people have sworn by this method.
However, you should know that this will work depending on the extreme to which the bedbugs have infested.
Use a stiff brush to brush off the seams of the mattress and in between the bed to remove the bedbug eggs.
Restrain from moving items in and out of the infested room; you do not want to have bedbugs everywhere in your house.
Pour hot water on the headboard and frames of the bed. Pay close attention to where they have invaded. If your mattress and bed are infested, you might want to get rid of them but ensure that you have completely done away with the bedbugs as they may still attack.
Frequently asked questions about bedbug infestation
Can bedbugs spread diseases?
Bedbugs cannot spread diseases; they can cause discomfort. This is because their bites are very itchy and irrational.
You can treat bedbug bites by applying an anti-itch cream on the affected areas. However, if you develop severe symptoms from these bites, seek medical attention.
How does a bedbug infestation spread?
Bedbugs are so tiny that they go unnoticed. They hitchhike on people, luggage, and upholstery. Their slim bodies help them to move from one person to another.
How to get rid of a bedbug infestation?
These bloodsuckers can be stressful to get rid of. It all depends on the extremity of the infestation. You can wash your bedding in hot water and vacuum the place. You can never be so sure they are all dealt with; this is why you need an expert to get rid of them.
Does dirt cause bedbugs?
A lot of people believe that bedbugs originate from dirt. But, no! Bedbugs can be found anywhere and everywhere. These bugs can spread from one person to another without notice due to their tiny body; anyone can be affected by them.
Are bedbug bites contagious?
No! bedbug bites are not contagious; you have to be directly bitten by one to get them.
Conclusion
Bedbugs are tiny, brown oval-shaped insects that feed on animal and human blood. They hitchhike on people, luggage and this is how they majorly move from one place to another. They are not known to spread diseases but bite their hosts; they are very itchy and cause discomfort.
The bed bugs are active at night to avoid being noticed during the day. They cause restless nights to the host. If you are looking for signs that your house is affected by bedbugs, look out for the bites, blood stains on sheets, and evidence of one since they are similar to other pests such as bat bugs.
Bedbug bites are treated by applying anti-itch cream and swallowing over-the-counter drugs to reduce swelling and pain. The most convenient way to get rid of them is by having a professional pest control company take care of them.
Looking for bedbug terminators in Calgary?
These bloodsuckers can deprive you of your comfort in your own home. Topline is only a call away, ready to restore your sleepless night into restful ones. Not sure if they are bedbugs?
Give us a call and let us look at it. Take charge!
For more information and hire professional services, please contact us on 4038133666
