One in five Americans has had to deal with a bed bug infestation in the past or knows someone who has! Because of their small size, these critters can be incredibly difficult to identify in your home or business — and you might mistake them for carpet beetles or other insects.
Thankfully, there are various ways to check for bed bugs on your property, which we’ll cover in this blog post. However, it’s always a good idea to call in professionals who can determine the extent of any pest problem and solve it for good.
Look for Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs can leave red, raised bites on your skin that might itch over time. In some cases, these bites might swell and turn into nasty blisters!
The problem is that it’s easy to mistake bed bug bites for other bites. People often think they have bed bugs when chiggers, mosquitoes, or other creatures have bitten them. Or they might just have hives or a rash.
Then there are people who don’t experience any side effects from bed bug bites at all!
Misidentifying a bed bug problem can make matters worse. These creatures can spread to other areas of your property and cause more damage.
Examine Your Bed
One of the tell-tell signs of bed bugs is tiny, dark stains on your bed sheets and mattress. These stains might be crushed bed bugs or their droppings.
No evidence of bed bugs on your bed? It doesn’t mean you don’t have a pest problem. Bed bugs often move fast and always look for somewhere to hide, such as between a baseboard and a wall.
Inspect Other Furniture
Despite their name, you can find bed bugs on furniture other than beds, such as:
- Sofas
- Upholstered chairs
- Nightstands
- Dressers
Again, look for small dark stains that could be crushed bugs or droppings.
Bed bugs are attracted to furniture where people sleep or relax. They also like dark crevices and clutter that provide the perfect hiding place.
How to Know If You Have a Bed Bug Infestation
Knowing whether bed bugs have infiltrated your home or business can be tricky. So, work with a Maryland and Northern Virginia pest control expert who can immediately identify a bed bug problem and come up with the right solution.
Here at Pest Shield, we have 60 years of experience and have protected military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq from dangerous pests, making us your go-to local experts.
Other benefits of working with Pest Shield include:
- We’re certified and licensed by the Maryland and Virginia Departments of Agriculture in all pest and termite categories
- Customers love our professionalism, punctuality, and high-quality service
- We have multiple five-star reviews online
Not sure whether you have a bed bug infestation? Get a FREE inspection here! Or, you can talk to a member of our friendly team at 301-829-0060.
