If there’s one pest that seems to camouflage itself well, it’s probably the bed bug. Not only are these critters small and hard to spot, but they often get misidentified for other insects – like carpet beetles, earwigs, ticks, or even cockroach nymphs.
Although bed bugs may look similar to other pests, the signs of a bed bug infestation tend to be unique. Here’s what Mooresville homeowners should know about identifying bed bugs, other visual signs that may indicate an infestation, and what to do if you’re finding evidence of bed bugs around your home.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like In Mooresville?
The first step to figuring out whether you’ve got bed bugs in your Mooresville home is knowing what they look like, but bed bugs can look drastically different depending on what stage of life they’re in:
Adult bed bugs: Adult bed bugs have small, flat, and oval-shaped bodies that don’t get any bigger than the size of an apple seed. Bed bugs have brown coloring, but if you catch them right after they’ve fed, their bodies may look red. You’ll also see wing pads on the back of adult bed bugs, but these critters aren’t actually capable of flight.
Nymphs: Nymphs are much harder to spot than fully-grown bed bugs, but they can still be visible. Nymphs usually aren’t bigger than the size of a pin, and until they feed, their bodies are much lighter in color.
Eggs and eggshells: You usually find eggs and discarded eggshells in the same spot where the colony is located. Bed bug eggs are incredibly small, have white coloring, and tend to be clustered together.
Bed bugs at any stage of life are bad news for Mooresville homes.
Physical Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation In Mooresville
Although spotting live bed bugs or eggs is a red flag that you’ve got an infestation, it’s not the only sign you should be on the lookout for. Just because you haven’t spotted a bed bug doesn’t mean you don’t have an infestation. It’s also important to note that bed bugs don’t just show up on your mattress or in your bedroom.
While this is a popular spot, bed bugs will congregate wherever there’s human activity, which means you could find an infestation in other rooms or furniture.
Here are a couple of other signs that indicate you’ve got bed bugs in your home.
Raised Welts And Bug Bites
One of the first signs that alert people that something isn’t right is the actual bed bug bites. Bed bugs are nocturnal, and they’re most likely to feed on you while you sleep. Once you wake up, it’s not uncommon for a lot of people to get itchy, red welts – although some people may have more severe reactions while others do not react at all. The welts are an allergic reaction that a lot of people have to bed bug saliva.
Rust-Colored Stains On Your Sheets
Even if you don’t have any reaction to the bites, there are other indicators you’ve got a bed bug problem. Since they’re chomping on you while you sleep, it’s not uncommon for bed bugs to get crushed into your sheets whenever you shift positions or roll over.
As a result, the crushed bodies leave rust-colored stains behind on your sheets, comforter, or even your pillowcases.
Fecal Marks
Similar to the bloodstains, bed bugs can also leave fecal marks, which are dark stains that resemble dots from a pen or marker. Fecal marks can also show up on sheets and bedding, and they may be difficult to wash out.
Musty Odor
It’s not always the most obvious sign you’ve got bed bugs, but these pests do emit an odor. Their pheromones have a musty, sweet scent that some people compare to the smell of raspberries or coriander.
If you’re dealing with a smaller infestation, you may not notice the smell at all, but with larger infestations, the musty odor can become more obvious.
The Most Effective Form Of Bed Bug Control In Mooresville
If you spot any of the bed bugs signs above – or bed bugs themselves – you don’t want to ignore the problem. Left untreated, bed bug infestations can spiral out of control, so it’s a good idea to get the professionals, like those of us at Lake Norman Pest Control, involved as soon as possible.
With more than fifty years of experience under our belts, we’ve got the training and experience to rid your home of these unwanted guests. If you suspect bed bugs, call us at Lake Norman Pest Control today to learn more about our bed bug control program.
