Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

For businesses and homes, bed bug infestations certainly cause some problems, but control is quite easy if identified in their initial stage. To initiate prompt action, however, you should know the signs of a bed bug infestation.

The most apparent sign is actually the live bed bugs. These bed bugs are small, oval in shape, and red or reddish in color. They often hide in the seams of a mattress or upholstery, or wherever cracks might exist in the walls. If they appear during daylight hours then, it is not too late; an infestation is likely already in the works.

Another common sign is the indication of bite marks. Bed bug bites are known to cause red welts on the skin, which may be presented in clusters or straight lines. While not everyone reacts to the bite, for those that do, it's a sure sign that they have bed bugs.

Blood spots or dark spots may also appear on mattresses or bedding. Bed bugs create small, rusty stains from feeding or expelling fecal matter. Some other evidence includes molted skins or eggshells, the shells bed bugs shed as they mature.

When infested beyond slight, an offensive, musty smell is common. In most of the species, this smell grows more potent as the infestation expands, because of bed bug pheromones.

Once you notice any of these signs, seek an exterminator who is professional in the removal of bed bugs. Thus, the infestation might be caught at an early stage, before it spreads and causes more damage.