Have you found a
bedbug or two in your dwelling? Initially, you may think about ignoring the problem, but you shouldn’t. Unfortunately,
bedbugs tend to live in large groups. If you find one or two, there are likely a lot more
bedbugs hiding in your home. With that being said, you cannot overlook the risks involved. You need to
hire a qualified exterminator because the bedbugs in your home will continue spreading and making the infestation bigger.
You likely have several exterminators in your city. Don’t pick one haphazardly. Instead, research each company and ask for free quotes before deciding.
A Few Bedbugs Matter
Why will a few
bedbugs matter? Bedbugs tend to live in large groups. An infestation can have as many as thousands of bedbugs in your home. Although you only saw three bedbugs, you didn’t see the countless other bedbugs hiding in your luggage, nightstand, and mattress. Nightstands are not solitary critters, so you likely have more bedbugs than what you’re seeing.
Another thing to worry about is that you saw a pregnant female bedbug. It only takes one pregnant female bedbug to create a full-blown infestation in your home. A female can lay as many as 500 eggs during the span of her life. With that being said, you need to take the problem seriously and call an exterminator as soon as you find bedbugs in your home. Although you likely won’t be able to tell the difference, female bedbugs have round abdomens and males do not.
Why It Is Difficult To Find Bedbugs
Once you’ve found a bedbug or two in your home, you’re likely going to start searching everywhere. Nevertheless, there is a good chance that you won’t find anything. The problem is that bedbugs know how to hide exceptionally well. They will hide in cracks and corners that you’ll rarely check. They don’t crawl around during the day. Instead, they’ll wait until you’re sleeping before they come out and suck your blood.
You might get bit by a few bedbugs, but you still may not notice it. In some cases, a bedbug bite is not going to cause any symptoms. You might not develop any marks.
Confirming It Is A Bedbug
Before hiring a professional, make sure you’re dealing with a bedbug. Bedbugs look similar to carpet
beetles,
fleas, and
cockroach nymphs. Therefore, you may not be dealing with bedbugs. You need to be very cautious because you don’t want to overreact. Bedbugs are less than 10mm in length, and they have six legs. They also have small antennas.
They’re oval and reddish-brown. The only issue is that you likely won’t notice bedbugs crawling around your home. They’re often too smart to get noticed.
Common Bedbug Signs
If you suspect you have bedbugs, check for the following signs.
Blood – When bedbugs are squashed, they’ll leave a bloodstain on your furniture, sheets, and quilts. If you find red bloodstains, it might be a sign of a bedbug infestation.
Skins – Have you found small skins or exoskeletons that look like bedbugs? It could be bedbugs. They shed their skin, so you’ll find them in your home.
Eggs – You’re also going to find bedbug egg casings in your home. Once the eggs hatch, the casings will be left behind.
Feces – Check your home for black stains. If it looks like ink spots, it could be bedbug fecal matter.
Bites – Don’t forget to check your skin for bite marks. Although some bites do not lead to symptoms, some do. Check your arms, back, face, and neck for red welts.
Smell – Finally, you need to check the smell of your home. If it smells like sweet, musty, soda, it could be bedbugs.
Searching A Home For Bedbugs
When you’re ready to confirm a bedbug infestation, start by searching your home. You need to know that you indeed have a problem before hiring an exterminator. Remember that most bedbugs are going to hide and live in your bedroom. Start by searching the bed, mattress, and box spring. Pull the bedclothes from the mattress. Then, you’ll want to lift your mattress and check it thoroughly.
Check all gaps and cracks to see if bedbugs are living in your house. If you can’t find bedbugs on your mattress, you’ll need to check the box spring and bed frame. Bedbugs can live throughout your bedroom and home, so you can’t stop. Another thing to note is that bedbugs can live in your carpet and rugs. Once you’ve finished with these items, you need to check other items in your bedroom. For instance, you should check your baseboards, walls, and electronics.
You can use a debit card and flashlight to look for bedbugs, bedbug eggs, and egg casings. If you find bedbugs in your home, call a professional.
When Should I Call In The Experts?
There is no time like now to
contact our licensed exterminators. We believe all bed bug sightings warrant a call to the experts. Our exterminators are on standby waiting to take your call. We offer free bed bug inspections, consultations, and estimates via appointment only.
We suggest a mattress encasement, sealing off all access points, and bed bug deterrents. Your main goal should be to prevent the problem from being a full-blown infestation.
Our exterminators can help you stop the bed bugs in their tracks. We will set down with you and your family to develop a custom pest management strategy that is guaranteed to offer 100 percent effectiveness.
Yes, one live bed bug is a reason for concern. But, do not let your emotions control your mental capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can A Sighting Involve Only One Live Bed Bug?
Where there is one live bed bug, there is a colony of bed bugs in the nearby vicinity. Bed bugs are social insects, meaning they live, travel, and feed in colonies. So, one live bed bug probably equals a colony of bed bugs.
How To Handle A Bed Bug Sighting?
It is crucial to remain calm. A bed bug sighting is not the end of the world. But, it is the start of something that may not end on a positive note for you and your family. We recommend contacting our Baltimore exterminators to require a free visual inspection.
What Is Considered A Full-Blown Bed Bug Infestation?
One adult pregnant female is enough to start a full-blown bed bug infestation. Adult females produce up to five eggs every few days and 500 in their lifetime. Just imagine if several adult female bed bugs are living in your home. Within a few weeks, the bed bug population would double, triple, quadruple, and so on.
