4 Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are disgusting. They are a pest that causes itching, soreness at their bite sites, and extreme annoyance. And they’re hard to spot. Bed bugs are nocturnal, so good luck seeing one during the light of day. You’re more likely to find evidence of bedbugs than the bugs themselves.

Keep an eye out for the following signs of an infestation:

1. Unexpected Bloodstains

Bed bugs drink blood. They’re ectoparasites, which means they live on the outside of their host. (That’d be you.) Creeped out yet? Get this: They feast on their host between five and seven times a day. To them, you’re a veritable all-you-can-eat buffet.

They’re sneaky about their nocturnal feasts. Bed bugs have a numbing substance in their mouths so that you won’t feel their bites right away. After all, they don’t want to wake their slumbering hosts.

They’ll detach after they drink their fill. You’ll bleed from their bite marks, so check your sheets for bloodstains.

2. Strange Brown Stains

Everyone poops–including bed bugs. The fecal matter is comprised of digested blood and will appear as tiny black spots on your sheets, kind of like little inkblots. Their excrement is liquidy and easy to smear.

3. Shed Skins

Bed bugs shed skin. They’ll molt five times before they reach maturity. While bedbugs are brownish in color, their shed skin is pale or translucent, retaining the shape of a bedbug. Check the sheet for their casings — you’ll have to look close — and along the floor around the bed. You can typically find them in clusters along the mattress seams and other nooks and crannies.

4. Your Bedroom Smells Like Coriander

Bed bugs smell bad. Their glands produce a powerful, must odor similar to coriander. If your bedroom smells like a rotten spice rack, check for bed bugs. If you can’t smell them, perhaps your dog can. The National Pest Management Association has been exploring how canines can be trained to detect these pests.

What Can You Do?

• Wash the bedding in hot water and dry on a high heat cycle

• Scrub the mattress with a stiff brush

• Vacuum the bed and surrounding area frequently

• Envelope your bed and box springs in an impermeable, zippered cover

• It may be necessary to replace your bed entirely

When all else fails, contact the pros at Accel Pest and Termite Control. Our No-Prep Solution means you won’t have to spend hours preparing your home for our services. Not only are our bed bug control services convenient, but they’re also effective. To schedule your appointment, call (877) 716-7522.