The old saying "don't let the bed bugs bite" takes on a whole new meaning if you have them in your home.
No matter where you live, it's possible to end up with these nasty biting pests.
Read on to discover a list of five signs you have bed bugs so you can get rid of them and sleep peacefully once again.
Of course, the most obvious signs you have bed bugs is if you actually see them on your bed or other furniture. Look closely at your headboard, mattress, wallpaper, and even in the nightstand to see if there's any evidence of the pests. A pearly white cluster of tiny eggs in these areas may indicate bed bugs are present.
A mature bed bug is about the same size as an apple seed and has a reddish-brown color. These insects are flat and have no wings, but they can swell in size after feeding. If the bug is bright red, it could've just had a meal.
Even if you don't see an actual bed bug, there could be other evidence left behind. Look for shed skins or shells as well as for any tiny fecal spots on bedding and mattresses.
Bloodstains that show up on your sheets or pajamas may mean that you're under attack when you sleep. Remove your sheets and look closely at the piping and cracks of your mattress. These insects are quite tiny, so you'll need to examine everything closely for evidence there are bed bugs in your room.
Bed bugs grow as they mature and every time they eat, and they shed their shells as they increase in size. An average bed bug molts five times as they mature.
If you see evidence of insect exoskeletons or skins, you could have a bed bug infestation. Check all over, under, and around your bed and in carpeting for any signs of bed bug shells.
If you suddenly awake with red welts that itch and burn, you could have bed bugs. These bites are extremely itchy and uncomfortable and are often accompanied by an intense burning sensation.
Some people might not react to bed bug bites, but if it happens often, you should notice it in time. Look for straight lines of bites across your skin or a rash that extends across one area of your body, which are both signs of a bed bug bite.
Bed bugs produce liquid waste that can stain your sheets and furniture. Their fecal stains are usually dark brown or black after they digest and excrete the blood they eat.
Look carefully at anything made of cloth and upholstered furniture. If you notice a lot of small, brown-colored stains, it's possible you have a bed bug problem.
Once you know the signs you have bed bugs, you can take active steps to eradicate them. Pay attention to your furniture and bedding and when in doubt, contact a professional pest control company to help.
Viking Pest is the bed bug exterminator expert throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Viking's certified technicians are expertly trained to inspect and detect bed bugs in your home or business. Get a fast, free bed bug estimate online or call us 24/7 at 1-800-618-2847 to learn more about our bed bug extermination treatments.