It is natural to want a good night’s sleep. It is not uncommon for a homeowner to pay more for their mattress than they would for any other piece of furniture in their home. What if we told you that a few tiny bugs could completely override the money you have spent to sleep well at night? Of course, we are talking about bed bugs, the sleep-wrecking, sneaky pests known for invading homes here in San Antonio. Here are some ways you can tell of bed bugs are the cause of your bad sleep.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs can be difficult to spot, due to their adept hiding capabilities. This fact has lead many people to believe that bed bugs are too small to see. The truth is that bed bugs are roughly the size of apple seeds. If you are able to find a bed bug in your home, you can identify them by their reddish-brown oval-shaped bodies. If you happen to catch sight of one after a meal, don’t be shocked to see their backside bulging, filled with blood.
How To Spot Bed Bugs
Although tricky to spot, there are a few tips you can use to find if bed bugs are hiding within your home. The first thing you need to know before we get into techniques is that bed bugs can be present in any room of your home, not just around your bed. Here are some common places bed bugs like to hide.
- Inside furniture
- On drapes
- Between drawer joints
- Around and behind electrical receptacles
- Inside appliances
- Along baseboards and wall frames
Checking these areas alone will not always reveal bed bugs in your home. To increase your chances of identifying a bed bug infestation, here are some signs you can keep your eye or nose out for.
- Bloodstains on bed linens
- Dots of reddish-black fecal matter along baseboards, inside the seems of furniture, around outlets, and in other areas around your home.
- Bite marks on your skin, usually in a straight line or zig-zag pattern
- A musty smell in the air, much like that of coriander
When inspecting your home, make sure to check beneath mattresses, cushions, and boxsprings. Keep in mind that bed bugs love hiding in cracks and crevices. This is where you will most likely find them hiding. Another note, if you do not want bed bugs falling on you while you search your home, we recommend wearing protective gear as you see fit.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
For the longest time bed bugs were believed to be harmless, and even now they do not pose much of a risk to you and your family. Although rare in the states, bed bugs have been known to carry and transmit Chagas disease. Besides this, the worst you can expect from bed bugs is insomnia and potentially anemia with larger infestations. Although not deadly, if you have ever dealt with bad sleep in the past, you can see why bed bugs could be a huge problem.
How To Get Bed Bugs Out Of Your San Antonio Home
Getting bed bugs out of your home is easier than you might think. All you have to do is let the professionals here at Family Pest Control help you out. We have tried and proven solutions to deal with bed bug infestations of all sizes. We also offer detailed inspections if you are unsure if your home has bed bugs or not. Whatever your pest control need is, we are confident we have your best answer here at Family Pest Control.
Give us a call today for any questions or to schedule services for your San Antonio home.