What Are Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?

Where do Bed Bugs hide?

Bed bugs are flat and small in size, allowing them to hide easily from view during the day when they are not active. They hide in mattresses, bed frames, bedding, furniture, carpets, baseboards and bedroom clutter. They are most commonly found in the seams of mattresses or inside box springs. However, it is not necessary to locate a specimen to identify an infestation. Their excrement leaves brown to black stains on mattresses and linens, and bloodstains may be visible where bed bugs have been accidentally crushed.

Bed bugs are commonly transported within luggage, allowing them to spread anywhere humans settle. Infestations have become a problem in domestic households, hotels, dormitories and other places of residence. Because of their small size and propensity to hide within mattresses and furniture, controlling a bed bug infestation can prove difficult.

The presence of only one fertile female bed bug in a friendly environment such as a single or multiple family dwelling is an infestation that is waiting to happen. Since a healthy, blood-fed female bed bug can produce from 200-500 healthy eggs during her lifetime and may lay from 2-5 eggs each day, the likelihood of an infestation of bed bugs is extremely high unless bed bug control efforts by your pest management professional are employed to eliminate the infestation.

How do you get Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are commonly transported within luggage, allowing them to spread anywhere humans settle. Infestations have become a problem in domestic households, hotels, dormitories and other places of residence. Because of their small size and propensity to hide within mattresses and furniture, controlling a bed bug infestation can prove difficult.

Can one Bed Bug Start an Infestation?

The presence of only one fertile female bed bug in a friendly environment such as a single or multiple family dwelling is an infestation that is waiting to happen. Since a healthy, blood-fed female bed bug can produce from 200-500 healthy eggs during her lifetime and may lay from 2-5 eggs each day, the likelihood of an infestation of bed bugs is extremely high unless bed bug control efforts by your pest management professional are employed to eliminate the infestation.

Can Bed Bugs infest pets?

If you’re wondering whether or not bed bugs can infest dogs, the answer is yes, but canines are not their preferred source. Unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs aren’t too fond of pets as they prefer exposed skin and find it difficult to navigate through fur. Although, if they’re desperate enough, bed bugs will turn to an alternate source for their meal. So, when it comes to bed bugs and pets, it’s important to know the facts.

Since these pests often hide in tiny crevices like mattress seams, pet bedding can be a prized location for bed bugs to call home. If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a bed bug, keep an eye on their behavior. Watch for biting, scratching and licking, particularly around their belly or limbs. These bites typically occur in a straight line of tiny red bumps, perhaps in groups of two or three. Depending on the length of your pet’s fur, bed bugs can be hard to find. Examine your pet’s bedding to check for spotting, which could be dried blood from a bite or bed bug feces. There may also be exoskeletons around your pet’s bedding as these bloodsuckers shed their skin. Even though they’re extremely small and hard to find, bed bug eggs are a clear indicator that an early-stage bed bug infestation has begun.

If you discover any of these signs, contact your local Orkin Pro as soon as possible for a customized bed bug treatment plan.

How to Dispose of Bed Bug Infested Furniture

If you’ve experienced or are currently wading through a bed bug infestation, your first thoughts may be to just throw out any bed bug infested furniture. While that seems like the quickest plan to rid your home of bed bugs, it’s not necessarily the best idea. By moving a bed bug infested mattress or other piece of furniture, you risk spreading the infestation to other areas of your home. Here are a few options:

Furniture Wrapping

If you’re set on removing the bed bug infested furniture from your home, make sure you wrap it in plastic prior to moving it. You don’t want your infected items to contaminate anything along its journey to the curb. The slightest movement will alert bed bugs that they’re moving, so it’s important to wrap your furniture as tight as possible so they aren’t able to escape. Another vital step for safety is to inform others about the infected furniture. Whether you’re leaving it in a dumpster or on the street, make sure to leave a note indicating to people that it has bed bugs.

Removal Service

Most local junk removal services will pick up your furniture for a small fee. When calling to book an appointment, make sure to inform them that the furniture you need removed is infested with bed bugs. Some companies may specialize in this issue, and if they don’t, ask for a referral to another one that does.

Hire a Pest Control Professional

If you’re set on trying to keep your furniture, consider hiring a pest control professional. You may be able to effectively treat your infested furniture so that you’re able to keep it in your home.

If you’re concerned about a potential bed bug infestation, early detection is critical. In order to prevent a larger problem from emerging, it’s best to contact your local Orkin Pro as soon as possible. By using the latest technology available, we can help protect your home with effective bed bug treatments suited to your specific needs. We're experts at recognizing the many signs of bed bug infestation and we know exactly what you need to help prevent and repel bed bugs from your home.

To learn more about bed bug infestations and how to protect your home from these insatiable pests, contact your local pest control experts by calling your local Orkin branch.