Most people don't realize they have bed bugs in their homes until bites are noticed. Due to the way Bed bugs hide, professional inspections are necessary to find bed bug infestations. Sometimes the presence of one or two bed bugs establishing themselves can be caught early enough as not to disrupt too much of a persons life. But, more often than not, infestations ranging from a few dozen or more bed Bugs to hundreds of them create a major inconvenience in the lives of many families today. According to PCT magazine bed bugs were more frequently found in single family homes and apartment communities. While hotels were reporting bed bugs they ranked the least in total reports when compared to homes and apartments. where bed bugs were found in mattresses, box springs, headboards, sofas, chairs, behind picture frames, and inside electrical outlets.

What do bed bugs look like?

The adult bed bug has a flat yet, rounded body, not much larger than an apple seed. Bed bugs can range in color from brown to red depending on when they fed last. After a feeding, bed bugs take on a darker red color which gradually fades to brown as it digests its meal. The young are born light in color and turn brown as they feed their way to maturation. Young bed bugs will look a ghostly, pale white to cream color until they first feed. Eggs look more like tiny grains of salt.

Where do you find bed bugs?

Bed bugs are commonly found in the bedroom, box springs, headboards and bed frames. Bed bugs will hide in furniture and fixtures that are close to their hosts. Frighteningly enough, bed bugs do not just hide in bedrooms, so they are not the only place of concern since feeding isn't always at night. Bed bugs are looking for human hosts inactive only long enough to provide a meal. Any place we sit, or rest can be a place of concern. Relaxing in a movie theater for two hours or kicking back in a recliner in your living room centers you as a target for feeding if they are present. You can also become a bed bug target just by taking  Uber across town.

What are bed bug bites like?

Since bed bug bites are painless, they can be difficult to identify at times, even for Physicians. Many of us experience reactions from bed bug bites similar to that of a mosquito or flea bite. According to the CDC, bites from bed bugs are not dangerous, unless an allergic reaction occurs. If at any time you feel that the bite is serious, seek medical help as soon as possible. The following are signs of bed bug bites:

Raised, red welts

Burning and itching

A localized rash

Lines or series of multiple bites

What are the signs of bed bugs?

Bed bugs are found in mattress seams, pillow tufts, and wooden slats under the supporting boxsprings of a bed. Without treatment, a bed bug population will quickly grow out of control moving into cracks and crevices near the bed. If let go, bed bugs will soon infest wall hangings, carpeting, night stands, drapes, wall outlets and more.

A bed bug infestation should be considered when red, itchy bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts develop. These bite marks may take up to 14 days to develop in some of us so it's important to look for other signs when considering bed bugs as the culprit
.

Dark stains on linens, mattress, box-spring or bed frame

Feces appears like small black spots.

Shed skins from molting

sweet yet musty odor released by bed bugs to attract others.

Watch Gladhill Services uncover a bed bug infestation in 2018