Bed bug infestations can be troublesome and quickly take over your Memphis home. It is important to identify the start of an infestation before it becomes out of control and even harder to eradicate.

Identifying Bed Bug Infestations

Bed bugs are sometimes hard to identify and may commonly be confused with other small pests in your home, such as carpet beetles. A true bed bug will be dark brown or reddish-brown and tiny; this insect is roughly the same size and shape as an apple seed.

When an infestation starts, the first sign of a problem will be bed bug bites along your arms or legs. These typically look like small flat or raised areas that may become red, itchy, or inflamed based on how your body reacts to the bites. Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can be a major problem caused by bed bug bites in certain individuals.

Additionally, bed bugs are more likely to feed on humans at night because they are nocturnal pests and wait until humans show long periods of inactivity in order to feed uninterrupted. Bed bugs can also sense the carbon dioxide that human beings give off, so they will know when you are resting in your bed, on your couch, or sitting on furniture for an extended period.

Where You Can Find Bed Bugs

Though their name indicates their love for beds and sleeping areas, you can actually find bed bugs anywhere in your home. They prefer hidden, dark spots and can often be found in the seams of furniture, under carpets or rugs, in the cracks and gaps on walls, ceilings, floors, or in electrical outlets.

There are several other visual signs that you may use to determine whether or not bed bugs are present in your home, as outlined below:

One of the biggest signs of a bed bug infestation is seeing bed bug bodies, eggs, or nymphs around your home. Eggs will be white and look like grains of rice, while nymphs will be almost translucent unless they have recently fed.
Because of their diet of blood, bed bugs will often leave behind reddish-brown or rust-colored stains. You will usually find these stains on your sheets, pillows, walls, furniture, or carpets. If you find a large number of stains around your home, this indicates a serious bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs may leave behind clusters of dark brown or black droppings around your home. These can commonly be found in bed bug hot spots such as beds or mattresses, around the seams of furniture, on carpets, or near walls.
It may not be quite a visual sign, but bed bug infestations leave behind musty odors inside the home. If you identify this scent, there is a good chance bed bugs are present.

Professional Bed Bug Removal

Bed bug infestations can be a little difficult to identify but will become a major problem if allowed to take over your house. If you do spot signs of bed bugs, call the professionals at Mid South Pest & Termite, LLC right away. The experts will properly evaluate your bed bug issue and provide effective solutions so you can reclaim your home.