Bed bugs. These foul little critters are something no one wants to talk about. The mere mention of them is enough to send shivers down your spine. Unfortunately, however, wishing they didn’t exist doesn’t stop the reality that you may encounter them one day.
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs don’t reserve themselves for dirty, unkept homes. You could maintain one of the most pristine homes in the world and still be subjected to bed bugs. So, how exactly can you detect a bed bug infestation? Let’s look at some of the signs you should never ignore.
Bed bug bites
Most of us don’t exactly go looking for problems, but you’re less likely to avoid them if they’re staring back at you in the mirror. One of the first major signs you may have bed bugs is if you wake up with itchy red bumps that weren’t there when you went to sleep the night before. You can distinguish bed bug bites from that of mosquitoes and other pests by looking at the bite pattern, as bed bugs often bite in a line or cluster. If this is the case, start looking for other possible signs.
Stains on your sheets or mattress
They may be small, but take a closer look. Bug bugs often leave behind blood stains, whether from being squished in the middle of the night or from the bites themselves. We also encourage you to peel back the sheets and check the mattress as well, especially around the seams. As bed bugs often congregate together, you may be able to see dark fecal stains that smear when touched.
Bed bug shells
Perhaps more disturbing than finding splotches of blood or fecal stains is finding the empty shells of bed bugs that have outgrown their former skin. Bed bugs grow with each feeding and will shed their shells at least five times before reaching maturity. Finding a heaping amount of bed bug shells in your home is a sign that the infestation has been going unchecked for some time and you should contact your local bed bug exterminator as soon as possible.
A musty smell
Another indicator of a bed bug infestation is a distinct and unfamiliar odor in your home. Bed bugs release certain pheromones when the infestation has progressed, and a large number of these pests are together. If you walk into your bedroom and notice a strong, musty odor, it may be a sign that you have a bed bug problem.
Of course no one ever wants to discover they have bed bugs, but the reality is it can happen to anyone. Rather than wasting time agonizing over how bed bugs get into your home to begin with, act quickly. The professional bed bug exterminators at Central Extermination serve all of Montreal and the surrounding areas, and are standing by to help you sleep with peace of mind once more.
Call us today at (514) 722-2425 for a free estimate.
