Insects have been around for nearly half a billion years. What’s more, is that there are over 900,000 different species!
Fortunately, most of these creepy crawlies are harmless. Some of them, however, can be dangerous to humans. Take ticks, for example—they can transmit diseases.
Bed bugs are another example. While they can’t spread diseases, they can cause other health issues. For instance, their bites can result in secondary skin infections.
Think you might have some at home? Want to know what the early signs of bed bugs are? Then make sure to read the rest of the page!
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. While they can’t fly, they can easily move from room to room on infested objects.
As it is, they’re often found in bed parts such as the box spring and mattress. However, they can also hide behind upholstery, wallpaper, and baseboards.
5 Early Signs of Bed Bugs
Here are a few signs that you might have a bedbug infestation. The quicker you deal with them the easier it will be! For some tips on how to get rid of bed bugs, check out Custom Bedbug.
1. Musty Odor
Bed bugs can leave a musty odor—this is due to the pheromones that they release. To give you a better idea, it’s often compared to the smell of a dirty locker room.
Chances are, you’ll notice it if when you enter the room or lie down on the bed.
2. Rust-colored Spots
Bed bugs often leave fecal stains on bedsheets. Appearance-wise, they’re either rust-colored or dark brown. If the spots are bright red, they’re not bed bug droppings.
Given that they smear easily, they’re relatively easy to spot. On top of that, they can have a noticeable odor.
3. Shed Casings
Bed bugs molt several times before reaching adulthood. As a result, you might find their empty shells lying around in the house.
For instance, you might find them on pillowcases, pillows, or sheets—wherever they travel to feed. In some cases, you might also uncover them under furniture.
4. Itchy Spots on Skin
Bed bugs can leave small, itchy spots on your skin. Due to the fact that they feed multiple times, the bites will often occur in a cluster or a line.
They won’t be spread out randomly like mosquito bites. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone will react to their bed bug bites.
5. Blood Stains
Blood stains on your bedsheets might signal a bed bug problem. Generally speaking, the smears will be relatively small.
They can occur for several reasons. For example, you might have scratched a scab while you’re sleeping. Another possibility is that you inadvertently crushed a bed bug while it’s feeding.
Checking For Bed Bugs
And there we have it—five early signs of bed bugs. If anything, you want to treat the problem as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be!
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