Think you might have bed bugs? Inspecting for bed bugs is easy if you know just how to do it. In this post, Gladhill Services teaches you how to perform a DIY bed bug inspection just like the professionals do.
Bed bugs can be hard to find sometimes. Even with the current bed bug epidemic, most homeowners and hotel cleaning staff have no idea what bed bugs look like.
Where to find bed bugs
Bed bug bites are often mistaken for other insects bites, while some people show no reaction at all. However, if you know where to look, you may be able to find bed bugs before its too late. At home or when traveling be sure to check:
- Headboards and footboards
- Tables, chairs, and inside drawers
- Ceiling and wall joints
- Loose wallpaper or paneling
- Cracks of baseboards
- Mattress and boxspring seams
- Luggage
Mature bed bugs are about 5 millimeters in length, flat-bodied with a reddish-brown color. Young bed bugs are pale white only turning reddish-brown after their first feeding. Bed bug eggs look like tiny grains of salt ( about 1 millimeter in size.) Young, bed bug eggs, and the adult bed bugs, along with fecal matter, shed exoskeletons, and egg casings are typically found together in aggregations. These groupings are common due to conditions like temperature, humidity, smells, chemical stimuli, and lighting.
Physical Evidence of bed bugs
Like most criminals, bed bugs are smart enough to hide from their victims but not smart enough to clean up their evidence. Look for these signs of physical evidence:
- Shed skins, exoskeletons or shells
- Fecal spots on your mattress and bedding
- Blood stains on your sheets and pillow cases
Look at the sheets on your bed inspecting the seams of your mattress. Inspect the box spring checking for any signs of physical evidence. Fecal spots will not be red, instead, they are dark brown to black.
How to Eliminate Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of. Elimination typically requires a strategic approach using more than one treatment method. If bed bugs are caught early enough you may have success with retail products as long as you use them according to their label. It's important to contact a professional like Gladhill Services if you need help as they can quickly inspect your home and determine the best treatment methods.