Since bed bugs made a comeback in the mid-90s, Arizona residents have been struggling to keep these tiny and bothersome insects at bay. If you think you may have bed bugs in your southeastern Arizona home, you will need the help of an experienced Sierra Vista pest control specialist to eliminate them completely. At Mule Mountain Pest Control, we know the proper steps to take to fully eliminate these pesky bugs from your house.
How To Identify A Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bugs are small, round insects that are only about 1/4 of an inch long. You can see them with the naked eye. However, because they are so small, they are often overlooked. Even if you don't spot bed bugs in your home, a few telltale signs will alert you to their presence. Some of the clues that you should look out for include:
- Bloodstains on your sheets: Often, people will accidentally roll over and crush bed bugs in their sleep. When this happens, the bug will leave a tiny, circular stain on your sheets and bedding.
- Bed bug eggs: Bed bugs can lay up to seven eggs in one day and usually lay eggs for ten days in a row if they've had a proper blood meal. Bed bug eggs are white and slightly oval-shaped. Many people think that they resemble tiny grains of rice.
- Dark smudges: Bed bugs will leave their droppings all over your home. After they defecate, they are known to walk in it, which can leave dark brownish-reddish smudge marks on your mattress, sheets, and even your walls.
- A strong, musty odor: If you have an advanced bed bug infestation, you will start to notice a wet and musty smell. The foul odor comes from the droppings they leave behind and usually smells like an old damp piece of cloth.
One thing that differentiates a bed bug bite from another insect's bite is the bite pattern. Bed bugs are known to bite multiple times, which leaves the bug bites in a straight line zig-zag pattern on your skin.
Bed Bug Infestation Only Get Worse With Time
If you think you can ignore a bed bug problem and it will eventually disappear, think again. Bed bugs reproduce often. They are also able to go a long time with a food source. Some people estimate that a bed bug can survive an entire year without eating, meaning if you were to leave your home for a few weeks or even a few months, the bed bugs would still be there when you got back.
How Bed Bugs Hitch Rides Into Our Homes
Bed bugs are sneaky. They are also great climbers. They will climb onto clothing, bags, luggage, and other items to hitch a ride back to your house. Some of the places that you can unknowingly pick up bed bugs include:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Libraries
- Schools
- Public transportation
- Hotels
Because bed bugs can burrow down inside mattresses and box springs, some people have unknowingly brought them home after purchasing furniture from a secondhand store.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In Your Home For Good
If you are having a hard time getting rid of bed bugs in your Sierra Vista home, give us a call today. At Mule Mountain Pest Control, we know how to get rid of bed bugs and can offer further tips on keeping them out.