There is nothing more disconcerting than getting ready for a long peaceful night of sleep and discovering that you have a bed bug problem. No one wants bed bugs inside their home, and once they do come into the home they are very difficult to manage and multiply quickly. A common myth is that bed bugs only infest people’s homes who are uncleanly or kept unkempt. However, the truth is that any property is susceptible to bed bugs. Because of this, if you own a home in the Lansing area you should be aware of how to identify and properly deal with bed bugs.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
It can be a challenge to properly identify bedbugs because of their small size. When they become fully grown they are about 1/4 of an inch long. The are oval shaped and flat while being reddish-brown in color.
Often times bed bugs are confused with other insects like fleas, ticks, or beetles. The average homeowner may have a difficult time identifying bed bugs and without the proper identification any pest control techniques you attempt may be futile. What makes bed bugs unique is that they have specific behaviors and feeding patterns that helps in identifying them.
What Are Signs Of Bed Bugs?
Most people first notice they have bed bugs when they discover that they have bites on their skin. The following are typical traits used to identify bed bug bites:
- The bite itself is usually not noticed right away, but later a red dot appears. Because of how quickly bed bugs can replicate, people who have a bed bug infestation will usually have multiple bites on their body, not just. The bed bug bite may become irritated and inflamed.
- Bed bugs are nocturnal pests, this means they will feed on people at night when they are sleeping. If you awaken in the morning to new bite marks this is a sign that you may have a bed bug infestation.
Some other signs of bed bugs can include the following:
- Your bedding or your sleeping pajamas may have blood stains
- If you have a bed bug infestation you may find bed bugs skins as they shed or molt
- You may notice fecal stains of the bed bugs
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Because of their name, people may assume that bed bugs are only ever found in the bed or where you sleep. However, this is not true. Because of their nature bed bugs can be found throughout a home. Bed Bugs in Lansing may include the following:
- Furniture seams including leather and upholstered furniture
- In between cushions and pillows in the crevices of chairs and couches
- In the seams and folds of curtains
- Under loose or peeling wallpaper
- In the seams or corners where a wall meets in the ceiling, in electrical appliances and in drawers
- In area rugs. Typically found by the edges as opposed to in the center
Bed bugs are transported into a home unknowingly by people. It is a good idea to get into a habit of keeping bags and clothes off of floors when you travel. If you purchase items from a second hand shop or thrift store such as bags, furniture, or electrical appliances you should thoroughly inspect and clean these items. We recommend never purchasing a used mattress or box spring.
How Do I Handle A Bed Bug Infestation?
If you believe that you may have spotted the signs of a bed bug infestation in your Lansing area home, the first thing you should do is contact us immediately. Bed bug infestations can quickly get out of control and due to their rapid reproduction rate may easily spread to other areas of your home. We are an expert in bed bugs in Lansing and can help remedy your situation quickly and at an affordable price.
We have more information regarding bed bugs on our pest services directory where we give some helpful tips on how to prepare your home for our Lansing bed bug treatment. This includes doing things like stripping the beds, vacuuming, and washing all clothes. Your partnership in this process will be critical in the success of the treatment plan and to help ensure the total elimation of bed bugs from your property.
Reach out to us today if you believe you need assistance with Lansing Bed Bug treatment.