Bed Bug Alert!
Bed Bug Identification:
- Bed bugs are small brownish insects just under a ¼ inch long
- Bed bugs are oval in shape, flat and about as wide as they are long
- Immature bed bugs are much smaller, about 1 mm and lighter in color
- Bed bug eggs are very small, about 1 mm in size and whitish in color. They are difficult to see with the naked eye.
- After a blood meal, bed bugs will appear to be reddish in color.
How do I know I have bed bugs?
- Actually finding a bed bug itself.
- Finding blood stains on the bed due to the bed bug feeding.
- Very small black marks (Size of pepper) on or near the sleeping area.
- Finding bite marks, does not instantly mean you have bed bugs. You may have a problem, if you wake up every morning with new bites. Initially bed bug bites are painless, but turn into large, itchy welts.
What should I do if I have bed bugs?
- If you find bed bugs or think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact Craig Thomas Pest Control to perform a complete inspection of your home.
- If you are finding the problem in your bed, remove your bedding and place it in a large plastic bag. Wash and dry the bedding on the highest heat setting to kill all stages of bed bugs. Place the contaminated bag in an outside receptacle.
- Vacuum the bed or problem area attempting to remove as many bed bugs as possible. Although vacuuming will help the problem, it will not eliminate it. Bed bug eggs are cemented in hard to reach areas and bed bugs hide deep in cracks where a vacuum will not reach. Remember, to throw vacuum bags in an outside receptacle, to avoid bed bugs from crawling out.
- If you find bed bugs, do not move to another room in the house. Bed bugs can go over a year without a blood meal, so moving to another location, will spread the problem.
- Early detection is your best defense.
