Bed bugs, some of humans' oldest companions that have been around many years before the invention of beds, are a problem people in Pensacola have dealt with since the city was born.
Bed bugs are small, less than a quarter inch in size, with a flat body shape reminiscent of an apple seed that is reddish brown in color. They can't fly or jump but are very adept at crawling around quickly. Being nocturnal, they hide in the cracks of a bed or folds of the bedding and come out at night to feed on human or animal blood.
Bed bugs in Pensacola multiply extremely fast, with a single female laying hundreds of tiny, dust-speck size eggs throughout its lifetime. A single bed bug hitchhiking a ride on your clothes from the gym or an airport can turn into a very serious infestation within weeks.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it's important to take control of the situation early by contacting an experienced Pensacola pest control specialist.
But first, let's take a look at how to identify a bed bug bite and bed bug infestation, as well as how to get rid of bed bugs in your Pensacola home.
How To Identify A Bed Bug Bite
Bed bugs don't actually bite their victims; they use a tube-like appendage, called a proboscis, to pierce the skin and gorge themselves on their victim's blood while they're asleep, in a manner very similar to mosquitoes.
Often, a bed bug bite victim doesn't realize they've been bitten until the morning when they discover small puncture marks and sometimes minor irritation surrounding that area.
For most of us, besides itching and mild inflammation, the symptoms of a bed bug bite are usually pretty mild, consisting of the following:
- Smallish red bumps in a zig-zag or straight line from multiple bites
- Raised inflamed patches of skin
- Small red bumps surrounded by blisters
- A red bump, dark in the center and lightening to the outside
Some people are allergic to bed bugs, and for them, the reaction to the bite might be a lot more severe. If you've received multiple bites or start to see serious swelling, blisters, or other forms of a severe allergic reaction, it's a good idea to contact a medical professional sooner than later.
The Symptoms Of A Bed Bug Infestation
With bed bugs in Pensacola being as small as they are, the symptoms of the infestations are easy to miss. If you suspect that your house might be housing an infestation of bed bugs, the first place to check is your bedding and the bed itself; bed bugs like to hide in crevasses and folds close to their food source.
Look for the following telltale signs:
- A very unpleasant musty odor reminiscent of a moldy towel
- Dark red or brown bed bug excrement on the walls, bedding, or clothing.
- Waking up with itchy red spots arranged in lines on your skin.
- Bloodstains on your sheets
Sometimes, determining whether bed bugs are a problem can be pretty tricky, especially if the infestation is relatively new and you're diagnosing the situation purely by the bites on your body. If you suspect a bed bug infestation but are not exactly sure, give a call to a bed bug professional near you to validate your suspicions.
Why Do-It-Yourself Bed Bug Control Often Fails
Keeping bed bugs out of your Pensacola home is a pretty tough job. They like attaching themselves to clothing, furniture, and appliances and hitchhiking into your home in style and comfort. Just a single female can be a beginning of a horror movie-size infestation.
Once an infestation takes hold, their small size and uncanny ability to stay hidden make the job of ridding your house of these disgusting invaders on your own pretty close to impossible.
If you've determined that your house has an infestation of bed bugs, your best bet is to get in touch with bed bug control services in Pensacola as soon as possible.
The Most Effective Bed Bug Control For Pensacola Homes
An experienced pest control professional will assess the scope of the infestation, get rid of adult bugs and their eggs, and help you figure out how to avoid a recurrence of a bed bug infestation in the future.
If you can't sleep thanks to bed bugs, give EnSec Pest & Lawn a call, and we'll clear bed bugs out of your house and your life!