How to Tell if You Have Bedbugs

Bedbugs are one of the most feared pests out there, and for good reason. Everyone knows someone who has previously had to deal with these little monsters, and they’ve probably told you how it’s hard to feel completely clean for months afterwards.

Obviously, everyone wants to avoid bedbugs at all costs, but infestations can still occur. Knowing how to spot a bedbug infestation in Central Illinois means you’re better able to address it early, thereby increasing your likelihood of completely eliminating them before the situation is totally out of control. Familiarize yourself with the early warning signs below and you’ll be better prepared to battle this bothersome pest.

Visual hints

A bedbug infestation in Central Illinois will actually leave behind some telltale signs that can be spotted with the naked eye. Oftentimes you can see them crawling along in beds or furniture, especially items you’ve recently picked up secondhand. You might also notice fecal spots, eggs or dark and rusty spots of their excrement all along the sheets, other bed coverings and even along the wall. Finally, you might even spot bits of your own blood along the sheets or pillowcases—these are from the wounds where they’ve bitten you.

Check everywhere around the bed

Bedbugs can hide just about any place where there’s fabric and upholstery for them to hide in. As a result, you should not just associate a bedbug infestation in Central Illinois with your bed alone. Extreme caution should be taken if you’re considering buying upholstered furniture secondhand, for starters. Additionally, you should check all of the areas around your bed if you believe you have bedbugs present. This includes inside books and electronics like radios or telephones, and even inside of electrical outlets. You should also be aware that they can latch onto your clothing, so don’t forget to check your dressers and closets for signs of their presence.

Bedbug treatment

If you do have bed bugs in Central Illinois, we can’t say we recommend any type of DIY pest solution. It’s simply too big a problem to handle on your own, and this means you’ll need to call in the professionals to deal with it.

However, if you want to first take a crack at it, there are some steps you can take. First, clean all bedding and other fabrics in hot water. If something can’t be put in the washing machine, run it through the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum the entire area around the bed and enclose the mattress in a zippered cover to prevent bugs from entering or exiting. It’s usually best to replace the mattress altogether, but be sure the infestation is completely taken care of before doing so—otherwise the remaining bugs will just infest your new mattress.

Bedbugs are one of the most notorious pests out there. They can drive people crazy, so if you think you’ve spotted signs of them, don’t delay—call the team at Crist Termite and Pest Solutions, Inc. today. We can handle anything from bedbugs to termite infestations—we hope you’ll trust us with your next pest control challenge!

Categorised in: Bedbug Removal