How To Determine The Sign Of A Bed bug

Bed bugs are some of the most irritating pests on the planet. If you’ve ever been bitten by a bed bug, you’d know just how itchy the bite can be after some time. Aside from this fact, bed bug bites can also potentially swell and cause further irritation and discomfort on your skin. 

Usually, bed bugs target the arms, face, and skin. They usually proliferate when you have not washed your bed sheets or pillowcases for a long period of time. Luckily for you, bed bug pest control is not really a challenging feat to accomplish. There are easy ways for you to spot these almost- microscopic and pesky crawlers. 

Continue reading if you want to learn more about how to spot signs of a bed bug problem in your household.

Red, Itchy Bite Marks

One tell-tale sign of a bed bug problem in your house is if you wake up one morning and find several clusters of slightly swollen bite marks on your arm, for example. As with any other insect, bed bug bites can become even more irritating over time, if left untreated. Furthermore, if you keep scratching the mark, it might eventually open and leave you with a scar.

Bites from bed bugs are typically not difficult to deal with. One method by which you can relieve the itchy sensation is through the application of anti-itch cream. Simply follow the instructions listed on the packet and the itchy sensation will fade away over time. If you don’t have an anti-itch cream, you could also apply a cold compress on the bite mark. You might have to do the latter for several times within the day in order to get the maximum relief.

Sleepless Nights

Sleeping can sometimes be a difficult endeavor especially if you constantly find yourself tossing and turning in the night. There may be nights when you find yourself waking up unexpectedly, and unable to fall back asleep again. While restless sleep can be caused by several other factors, this can also be indicative of a bed bug problem.

Since bed bugs typically thrive in the night, it would also make sense for you to feel this discomfort at this time of day. When you find yourself having to scratch a part of your skin every now and then, it’s most probably because of a bed bug. Their bite is typically not painless, so it could be a challenge for you to determine the source of the discomfort. 

As with the first sign of a bed bug problem, your best bet is to apply some anti-itch cream before the bite can further escalate into a big swell. If you’re not too exhausted, you can also opt to change your sheets for the night to help you sleep more comfortably.

Unexplained Musty Smell

Dispelling popular opinion, bed bugs aren’t only found in the mattresses of your bedroom. They can virtually be found in virtually almost any type of furniture installation that you might have in your home. It wouldn’t be a surprise then, if you suddenly enter your living room, for example, and begin to notice an old, musty-like smell. 

The problem with such odors is that it’s difficult to pinpoint where they’re coming from. They can be attributed to any other insect problem – which is also best dealt with. On the other hand, the musty smell can definitely be attributed to the presence of bed bugs in your furniture. This typically happens to older furniture which has been untouched or has not been kept clean for years, months, or even weeks. 

It would be difficult to change your entire furniture installation if you want to remove the musty smell. Your best course of action to eliminate the odor would be to clean your furniture as thoroughly as possible. You may use a vacuum or several potent cleaning agents to achieve your desired outcome.

Presence of Blood Stain Marks on Your Sheets

As with any other small insect, bed bugs can easily be killed simply by the application of pressure. Another sign of a bed bug infestation in your bedroom is if you find several small blood spots on your bed covers or pillowcases.

If you’re a restless sleeper, you might have tossed and turned during the night, killing and crushing groups of these irritating insects. 

Dark Spots on Bedding

Similar to the previous sign of a bed bug infestation, another thing you should look out for if you have suspicions of the insect’s presence in your house, is if there are small black spots on your bedding. 

These black spots are actually fecal matter coming from the insects. Keeping hygienic is one of the best weapons in eliminating these pests. The next time you find these spots, make sure to have your sleeping quarters thoroughly cleaned. You may also want to wash your sheets with warm water if you want to be more effective in your cleaning methods.

Key Takeaway

Detecting signs of bed bugs in your home is not difficult, as long as you know what to look out for. Typical symptoms of a bed bug infestation include a musty odor, red and black stains on your sheets, or the appearance of a cluster of red bite marks on your skin.

Avoiding bed bugs is always better than eliminating an already-proliferating number of these bugs. Always ensure to practice a hygienic lifestyle and the proper pest control methods. Constantly change your sheets so you wouldn’t have to feel further discomfort.