What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood, usually at night while you sleep. Before a meal, they’re flat and small, about the size of an apple seed; after they’ve enjoyed a blood meal, they plump up.
A single bed bug can quickly multiply, laying hundreds of eggs over its lifetime. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, arriving in homes on luggage, clothing, or even used furniture.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
During the day, bed bugs retreat to dark, tight spaces near where people sleep. Common hiding spots include:
- Seams of your mattress and box spring
- Bed frames, headboards, and bedroom furniture joints
- Cushions of chairs and couches
- Curtains
- Wall hangings
- Electrical outlets
- Cracks in walls and floors
- Carpeting
- Edges of rooms
Because they’re so good at hiding, it can be challenging to spot them early, so recognizing the signs is crucial.
4 Signs You May Have Bed Bugs
1. Itchy Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites often appear on areas of your body that contact the bed while sleeping, such as arms, back, neck, legs, or face. The bites can appear as small, raised bumps, sometimes arranged in a line or cluster. They may be red or slightly swollen and can be very itchy. Some people hardly react at all, while others develop larger, more noticeable welts.
2. Tiny Dark Spots or Blood Stains
Bed bugs leave behind dark-colored stains on sheets, pillowcases, or mattresses. These stains are tiny traces of digested blood, essentially the excrement of bed bugs.
These bugs also leave behind reddish stains on sheets and pillowcases, usually from being crushed by the occupants of the bed.
3. Shed Skins and Live Bugs
As they grow, bed bugs shed their exoskeletons. Finding these small, translucent shells, or live bugs themselves, near mattress seams or furniture can be a clear sign of infestation.
4. Bed Bug Eggs
Bed bugs hide their eggs in the folds of mattresses, the seams of furniture, and the cracks along baseboards. Finding small, pale eggs or empty eggshells is a clear indication of an active infestation that can quickly worsen.
Why Bed Bugs Can Happen Even in Clean Homes
Bed bugs don’t discriminate. A tidy home isn’t immune. They’re travelers who latch onto clothing, bags, and second-hand furniture. Homes with frequent guests or residents who travel often are at higher risk.
What to Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs
If you see the signs of bed bug activity, it’s important not to panic. Don’t ignore them either. Early detection makes treatment easier and prevents the problem from spreading to other parts of the structure.
At Bizzy Bee Exterminators, we are a locally owned and family-operated pest control company that provides comprehensive inspections and customized bed bug control solutions for residential and commercial properties in Oxford, Winder, Peachtree City, and throughout the Metro Atlanta area, as well as parts of South Carolina.
Our highly trained pest control pros know where to look for these bugs, how to confirm an infestation, and the best ways to eliminate bed bugs quickly and completely!
Protect Your Home from Bed Bugs
Preventing bed bugs starts with awareness:
- Inspect luggage and clothing after travel
- Avoid bringing in used mattresses or furniture without a careful check
- Regularly vacuum bedrooms, especially around beds and furniture
- Use mattress encasements designed to block bed bugs
Bed bugs are persistent, but with vigilance and professional help, they don’t have to take over your home.
Contact Bizzy Bee for Help Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
You don’t have to face bed bugs alone. Early action makes the difference between a few bites and a full-blown infestation. Let us help you take back control of your property. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection or complete our online form!
This blog was originally published on August 15, 2020, and has been updated to include new information.
