We all know the feeling. You feel a string or hair go across your neck and you smack your neck hoping to brush a bug off of your neck. You don’t see or feel anything and now you are wonder — “Is the bug now on me? Was it a spider? An ant? Maybe even a bed bug?
If you by chance it ends up being a bed bug on you, don’t worry we have your back. Here are some idea things to know about bed bugs:
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are small reddish to brown in color. They are often considered to look like an apple seed in shape and size.
How Do Bed Bug Bites Feel Like?
Besides painful, bed bugs bites can cause welts and irritations to some while others will not show any symptoms. Most will show a raised reddish bump on their skin. It will usually go away within a few days.
The best way to tell is to contact a healthcare professional to make sure it is a bed bug bite.
How and Where Do Bed Bugs Live?
Bed bugs survive off of the blood of a host. That could be an animal like a dog, cat or bird as well as human. Some believe humans are their favorite host to get a blood meal from.
They can be found in a variety of places including:
- 70% with the bed
- 20% with furniture
- 7% baseboards in room
Best Strategies to Find Bed Bugs
Bed bugs like tight small places to hide. Because of this, some may not know they have bed bugs until it has become an infestation.
If you decide to look for a potential bed bug problem, check along the seams of your mattresses, box spring, under the flap or tags on your mattresses. Headboards and bed frames are also great hiding places for bed bugs.
When checking, remember 70% of all bed bugs are found on the bed or what is connected to the bed; 20% are on nightstands/dressers and lamps that are next to the bed.
Check the drawers, and even alarm clocks or anything on or in your nightstand. 7%-10% of bed bugs will be found in other places surrounding the room.
So You Have Bed Bugs… Now What?
Because bed bugs are so resistant and hard to locate, it is best to have a professional inspect your home for bed bug activity. The best type of treatment is a mixture of treating with heat and products.
If you think you have bed bugs or you’re concerned about them, give Arête Pest Control a call for a free inspection. We will send a licensed and trained professional bed bug technician to come inspect your home and outline a custom treatment plan for your home.