Bed bugs are some of the most bothersome pests that invade Florida homes. These tiny bugs are commonly found in public areas and can attach themselves to your clothes or jump into your bags and hitch a ride back to your house without you even realizing it. At EnSec of Florida, we specialize in Pensacola pest control solutions, and we can help you get rid of these pesky bed bugs from your home.
What Are The Signs That I Have A Bed Bug Infestation?
Bed bugs are small. When they reach full maturity, they are only about ¼ of an inch long. While you can easily see these tiny bugs with the naked eye, they are easy to overlook unless you have a severe infestation. However, you don't have to see actual bed bugs to determine if they are inside your home. Some of the most common signs that indicate that you have a bed bug infestation include the following:
- Fecal spots: Because bed bugs only eat blood, they have dark, rust-colored droppings. The spots are usually round and about the size of a marker tip, but it is not uncommon to see dark smear marks instead of spots.
- Bed bug eggs: Bed bugs lay small, white, and oval-shaped eggs that look like small grains of rice.
- Skin casings and eggshells: A bed bug will molt around five times throughout its life. Bed bug eggs take about a week to hatch. You should have your home inspected for bed bugs if you see skin casings or translucent eggshells.
If you wake up to find a cluster of bug bites on your skin, you could have bed bugs in your home. When a bed bug bites a person, it will usually bite the same general area multiple times.
Are Bed Bugs In My House Harmful To My Health?
The good news is that bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to humans or pets. However, they are known to leave incredibly itchy bug bites on your skin which can cause some problems. Many people have reported losing sleep because of the extreme itchiness and irritation that the bug bites cause. Also, if you scratch at the bug bites too much, it can cause a skin infection that needs to be treated by a medical professional.
Five Simple Ways To Keep The Bed Bugs Away
Prevention is the key to total bed bug control. If you want to keep bed bugs out of your home, follow these easy steps:
- Thoroughly inspect the mattress, furniture, and other areas in the hotel room that you are staying in.
- Don't set your luggage or bags on the floor of hotel rooms or public transportation.
- Vacuum your home regularly, especially after staying overnight in a hotel or temporary living space.
- Try to avoid buying secondhand objects. If you buy used items, thoroughly inspect them before bringing them into your home.
- Make sure to wash your clothes on high heat and dry them in a dryer after returning from vacation.
While bed bugs do not seek dirty or unkept homes, keeping your home tidy and clutter-free is a good idea. Removing old boxes and other clutter will eliminate some bed bug hiding spots.
Contact The Pros At The First Sign Of Bed Bugs
The more severe the bed bug infestation, the more difficult they are to get rid of. If you suspect you have bed bugs in your Pensacola home, don't wait; call us as soon as possible. Our experienced professionals at EnSec know how to eliminate these invasive bugs from your home for good.