No home is safe from the bed bugs epidemic that is sweeping across the United States. It seems as if every newspaper or magazine you pick up is featuring an article informing the public about bed bugs. No home is safe from the bed bugs epidemic that is sweeping across the United States. It seems as if every newspaper or magazine you pick up is featuring an article informing the public about bed bugs. You needto be aware of the warning signs of bed bugsin order to have a chance at protecting yourself and your family from bed bugs and if you happen to find any, call a pest control company immediately.

What do bed bugs look like?Unlike some pests, bed bugs are visible to people and you can easily spot adults. They have a flat body that is oval shaped. Their bodies are initially brown, but once they taste a drop of blood the body starts showing hints of red. By the time you know you have bed bugs, you can expect the adults to have a reddish brown coloring. They do not have wings so the bed bugs move slowly, making them easier to see.

There are five stages of nymph before the bug reaches adult maturity and you will likely have bed bugs that range in size. An adult is relatively small in size with body sizes that range from 1/8” to 3/16”.

How do I know it’s bed bugs?

Because bed bugs feed on your blood at night while you are fast asleep, it can be difficult to actually see a bed bug. If you wake in the morning with rows of bites on any exposed area, especially your arms and legs, it is probably bed bugs. If you cannot locate a bed bug itself, take a look at your bite marks for warning signs of bed bugs.

The small bumps of bed bug bites are red and can be quite itchy. Bed bugs typically feed on extremities. Look at your arms and shoulders for bites. You will know it is bed bugs when there are long strings of bites that occur night after night, not just a few bites from time to time.

What are other signs of bed bugs?

Bed bugs leave a trail of their existence if you have an infestation and you can see this evidence without ever seeing a bed bug. The stains of fecal matter are dark black. You may also be able to find eggs or shed skin in cracks around your bed or along the seams of your mattress.

When should you call pest control?

With cases of bed bugs spreading rampantly across the country, many people call a bed bug control specialist at the first thought of bed bugs. If you let the infestation get out of hand, you are only creating a bigger problem for bed bug exterminators that will leave you displaced from your home. It is always better to be safe than sorry with a household pest like bed bugs.