What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs feed on blood and can cause a great deal of frustration t o their host. Their bites can make your skin itchy and irritated, and potentially bring on various other skin issues. According to EPA, bed bugs are about a fourth of an inch long, brown in color, and have a flat, oval-shaped body. However, they vary in appearance depending on their age. Young bed bugs can appear to be translucent, and much smaller. Depending on when their last meal was, they may even become invisible to the naked eye. If you’re under the impression you have an infestation, it’s important to be proactive, and call a pest control company.
What Attracts Bed Bugs To Florida?
Bed bugs are most commonly found in places where there are a lot of people, as they are attracted to body heat. Since Florida is known for its humid weather, and as a popular vacation spot, they tend to be more prominent here. You may have heard all of your life that bed bugs are drawn to dirty conditions, however, that isn’t true. Many people have the potential to attract these guys regardless of how tidy they are.
Are They Dangerous?
Fortunately, bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans, however, their bites can lead to excessive irritation. A bite can impact every person differently, according to CDC. However, some people may show signs of a severe allergic reaction, which may require medical attention.
How To Check For Bed Bugs
If you find yourself in the middle of a bed bug infestation, you’ll want to find it quickly before it worsens or spreads. Waiting until the infestation has become more extensive usually proves to be more costly in the end. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Red stains on bedsheets, which are caused by bed bugs being crushed.
- Tiny eggshells laying around.
- Fecal stains, which resemble a bleeding spot from a marker.
- Live bed bugs, which can appear as dark brown clusters.
If the infestation is more advanced, you may find them in between couch cushions, curtains, appliances, behind picture frames, and even in wallpaper. They have the ability to fit into extremely tiny spaces, so keep this in mind when searching for a possible infestation.
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs
The most effective way to get rid of a bed bug infestation is to contact your local exterminator. However, there are some methods you can try that may lessen the impact:
- Make sure to thoroughly clean your bedding, clothing, and curtains. You’ll want to do this in hot water, followed by throwing them in the dryer in the hottest setting.
- To avoid spreading the infestation, try not to move affected items across your home. Get rid of any clutter, isolate it in a plastic bag, and take it outside. Use a vacuum to go over infested areas, and then thoroughly clean the vacuum outdoors.
- Locate all crevices in each room, and vacuum away. Repeat the step of cleaning your vacuum after this is done.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Attempting to rid your home of bed bugs on your own can take much longer than normal, so it’s always advised to contact a professional. When done properly, it can take just a few visits to eradicate the problem. However, this depends on the nature and severity of the infestation.
FAQs
How big are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are usually about a fourth of an inch long, although sometimes they are difficult to see.
How do you find bed bugs during the day?
Most bed bugs are nocturnal and hide during the day. On your quest to find them, look for cracks and crevices, inside your pillows and around your mattress, and inside your furniture. They tend to hide in dark places during the day so that they are less likely to be found.
What color are bed bugs?
Bed bugs can come off as various colors, depending on whether or not they’ve been fed. They can be anywhere from translucent to brown, or reddish after they’ve eaten.
How long can bed bugs live without food?
Adult bed bugs have the ability to live longer than younger nymphs, however, they can last anywhere from twenty to four hundred days without a meal, according to UC.
What do bed bugs look like to the human eye?
Bed bugs are visible to the human eye, however, they are about the size of an apple seed. Sometimes they can appear translucent, but most of the time, they are easy to spot when you are looking in the right places.
