Bed bugs are a difficult species to identify with the human eye because of their small size. However, contrary to what you might have heard, you can see bed bugs as they are about the size of an apple seed.
Bed bugs live in places like mattresses, box springs, and even in holes in the wall where they wait to come out at night to get a blood meal. If you suspect you have an infestation, you can identify bed bugs by their reddish-brown color and oval-shaped bodies that are usually flat except after they've just eaten.
While it's not unheard of to see bed bugs, there are many other signs of an infestation you're more likely to find first. Knowing the most common signs of bed bugs in South Carolina homes can help you identify these nasty pests early on before their numbers get out of hand.
Important Information About Bed Bug Bites
One of the first and most prevalent signs of bed bugs in your home is finding bites on your body. Bed bugs bites are small and itchy and can show up anywhere that your skin is exposed while sleeping. They will almost always appear in lines or zigzags and are often red with a clear or dark center. However, the exact appearance of the bites can vary from person to person.
You might also be wondering why it is that bed bugs only bite while you're sleeping, and there is a simple but rather fascinating answer to this question. Bed bugs can sense the amount of carbon dioxide humans let off, which signals to them when they've fallen asleep.
Five More Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation
While bites are one of the most common signs of an infestation, there are some other visual indicators that you're dealing with bed bugs. Here are six other signs of bed bugs around South Carolina homes:
- Bloodstains on sheets and mattresses.
- Brown smear marks from bed bug excrement on mattresses, sheets, curtains, and even walls.
- Rusty marks around your home on any upholstered or cloth items.
- Discarded bed bug skins that often accumulate around beds or near baseboards.
- Cream-colored eggshells around mattresses or near walls.
It's also vital to note that bed bugs aren't only found in mattresses. While this is one of the areas they're most likely to hide, and often a great place to check for signs of an infestation, you may find bed bugs throughout the house. Check for signs of these pests on any fabric items, including pillowcases, clothing, and curtains.
Where To Get Help If You Have Bed Bugs
If you've noticed any of the signs outlined in this article, it's natural to feel stressed out since bedbugs are such a disgusting pest, but there is one simple way to remove bed bugs for good. The experts at The Original Bugman Pest Elimination, Inc. have the tools and experience needed to remove every single bed bug in an infestation so they won't keep coming back.
As a family owned and operated company with over 30 years of experience providing residential pest control, you can trust our expert technicians to handle any bed bug problem. Get started today by giving us a call at (803) 805-7410 to request a free inspection.
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