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Waking up with mysterious bites on your body is not a pleasant experience. It raises many questions and concerns. One question it raises is, does my home have a bed bug infestation? Unfortunately, finding bite marks on your skin isn’t a direct sign that bed bugs are around. It is, however, a good indicator that there is a problem and can be used in conjunction with other clues to identify these pests. What are these other clues? Here is everything you need to know to identify bed bugs inside your West Palm Beach home.
What Bed Bugs Look Like
An adult bed bug is ¼ to 3/16” long, reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and flat. This parasitic pest relies on the blood of humans and occasionally animals to survive. To get blood, a bed bug waits until its host is asleep, crawls into their sleeping area, and bites exposed area of skin. One thing that is unique with bed bugs is that they bite their hosts multiple times taking a few steps between each new draw of blood. This sometimes leaves bite marks in a straight line or zig-zag pattern. We say sometimes because not everyone reacts the same to bed bug bites. Many people have no visible reaction at all.
Where Bed Bugs Are Found Inside Homes
One common misconception about bed bugs is that they only live around sleeping areas. The truth is these pests usually only climb into beds when they need to feed. After they are done feeding, bed bugs can crawl off and look for places to hide around homes. During inspections, professionals check behind outlets, inside cracks and crevices, and in other secluded areas in order to spot these pests during the day.
Other Signs Bed Bugs Leave Behind
Because bed bugs are good at hiding, the best way to know these pests are around is to look for the signs they leave behind. Here are some common clues to keep your eyes out for around your West Palm Beach home.
- Bloodstains on bed covers
- Small reddish-black specs of fecal matter
- Tiny cream-colored eggs inside cracks and crevices
- A musty, sweet odor in the air
- Shed skins
Hotspots Of Bed Bug Activity
When not residing inside area homes, bed bugs travel around. You might find yourself close to one of these pests at the local supermarket or movie theater. Some places that people regularly pick up bed bugs are thrift stores, hotels, airports, and schools.
How To Avoid Bed Bugs
The best thing you can do to avoid bed bugs is to check rooms you will be staying in on vacation for the signs they leave behind. If you see anything concerning, change rooms. In addition to this, before traveling home, store your used clothing inside an airtight bag. Once you get home, wash this clothing on high heat. Finally, teach your family and friends about bed bugs so that they can also avoid, identify, and combat them before accidentally spreading them to your home.
The Best Way To Eliminate Bed Bugs
If you discover bed bugs inside your home, do not panic. These pests are not invincible. They are, however, very difficult to eliminate without professional help. To make your life easier, get the experts at Empire Pest Defense involved. We understand how problematic bed bugs are and would be happy to put our experience to work to get these pests out of your home. Contact us today to learn about our home pest control options and schedule your West Palm Beach home for a detailed pest inspection.