Bed bugs love to hide, and they thrive in dark and moist environments. This is why stopping bed bug infestation can become a bit of a challenge! The pests can become difficult to spot and even harder to get rid of.
The first step in stopping bed bug infestation is figuring out where they are hiding. Bed bugs like to congregate near mattresses, bed frames, and other furniture. Inspect these areas closely. When finding any signs of bed bugs, the next step is to eradicate them.
Identification of Bed Bugs
While you can identify bed bugs by their physical characteristics, it can become hard to do so. The pests are small and flat, and they can easily hide in cracks and crevices. They also come in a variety of colors, ranging from light brown to dark red.
Finding an actual bed bug is not always necessary for proper identification, however. Bed bug excrement and bloodstains on sheets are often good indicators of an infestation.
Adult bed bugs are about one-fourth of an inch long and have flattened and oval-shaped bodies. After they feed on a human or animal’s blood for a while, its size may appear more swollen and elongated than before as a side effect called inflation.
It has also been said that when bed bug nymphs grow up, their color turns into lighter shades from brownish tanner red. This depends upon how much it ate at the first stage of development. As soon as these creatures consume enough nutrients, all fat reserves get burned off.
The Bed Bug Life Cycle
Learn more about the two stages of the bed bug life cycle. Here they are:
Eggs and Initial Infestation
The eggs of a bed bug are about the size of a speck of pepper. They are white and oval-shaped, and they lay in clusters. Female bed bugs lay about 200 eggs during their lifetime.
The eggs hatch within 10 days and you can call the newly-hatched bed bugs nymphs. These nymphs start to feed immediately and will molt five times before reaching maturity. It takes about two months for a nymph to reach adulthood.
A bed bug infestation can start with as few as two or three bugs. These initial bugs will mate and lay eggs, which will hatch and produce more bed bugs. As the population grows, so does the severity of the infestation.
The first step to getting rid of bed bugs is knowing where they come from. You can find the invasive species in hotels, homes, or apartments. It is also at any place with multiple units that share common spaces such as walls, ceilings, and doorways between neighbors’ suites. These may allow them temporary shelter while waiting for their next opportunity when a tenant moves out.
Nymph Stage and Population Growth
Nymphs are tiny, about the size of a poppy seed when they first hatch. The nymphs go through three growth stages:
- Baby
- Nymph
- Adult
Once they reach adulthood, bed bugs can start to lay eggs. The eggs will hatch and produce more bed bugs, which will then go through the same life cycle.
Adult bed bugs can live up to one year without feeding. The life cycle of a bed bug can take anywhere from three to six months.
Once the bed bugs start hatching, they immediately head for food. Unfortunately, you and your family members including warm-blooded pets will quickly become dinner! That is when it does not find a human host. But these pests also have other sources of nutrition.
Bed bugs undergo five different growth stages before reaching maturity. As they grow, a bed bug will shed its exoskeleton after each stage and may become lighter or darker in color as well. The primary sign of having an infestation is when these insects begin appearing around your home. When left unchecked, it can cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage!
How Infestation Occur
Adult bed bugs do not fly and can only crawl. But they can easily hide in luggage, clothes, and boxes when they reach a new place. They feed on human or animal blood through an opening with a needle-like appendage called the proboscis. People do not feel the bite because it is painless except when an allergic reaction occurs.
The adults lay eggs anywhere in dark cracks and corners of your rooms at any time of the day or night. These eggs then hatch into their nymphs that start feeding almost immediately once it smells the human hosts nearby. This causes some itching around the bites that you may notice later on. The nymphs go through five stages before becoming adult bed bugs again within two months.
Bed bugs are annoying little creatures, and it is not just the humans who have to deal with them. A recent study found that more than 50% of all infestations start when you bring an item into your house. This is without inspecting it first-hand yet.
Next Generation of Adult Bed Bugs
The next generation of adult bed bugs will lay eggs and the process will start all over again. Break the cycle when you find and eliminate the eggs, nymphs, and adults.
It is important to know how the bed bug life cycle works to stop the infestation in its tracks. Bed bugs are tough to get rid of and can quickly multiply when not treated early! Knowing where they come from and what signs to look for can help you detect an infestation before it becomes too severe.
Adult bed bugs are oval and wingless insects about 1/5 inch long. They have well-developed antennae and small black eyes that give them an appearance similar to other common household pests like cockroaches or termites although they do not feed on wood.
Their bodies appear flat but can easily roll up when threatened for protection against larger animals looking for food in return. Bite attacks from these creepy crawlers may carry diseases such as Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. The immatures called nymphs look virtually indistinguishable from adults except at times when size differences become more obvious.
Will Bed Bugs Die Off of Their Own?
No. Adult bed bugs can live up to one year without feeding and will lay eggs at any time regardless of whether a human host is present or not.
Pesticides are available that can help get rid of them. But you should always consult with NY Bed Bug Dogs before using any type of chemical. Many natural remedies can become effective.
The life cycle of a bed bug is not one that you would want to try and emulate. The resilient little creatures will outlive their host by feeding on them. So long as there are suckers available for the bugs’ teeth to grow back once lost during engorgement. This occurs when they feed too much before becoming full-sized adults. It can take up to two months after emergence from an egg sac.
The attitudes these pests possess reflect what many might think about themselves: stubbornly persistent even though irrational at times. This may explain why it has been difficult finding anything convincing enough to rid oneself of such intestinal creatures.
Common Bed Bug Hiding Places
Gain insights on three signs that bed bugs are hiding in your home. Know about them below:
Molted Bed Bug Skins
The adult bed bug can molt five times before becoming an adult. When they shed, you will find their dark brown or black skin that looks like a dull and dry piece of leathered fabric. They look similar to cast-off snake skins.
You can peel them out and look for bugs in the crevices where they collect. When you do not see any at first, wait for 20 minutes and check again. They may shift positions while feeding on their host’s blood.
Shed bed bug skin is almost identical to the live ones. See the difference between them in both appearance and movement. A shed exoskeleton will appear empty and translucent compared with active adults where you might see some movement. That is when they were trying to escape from predators or find food sources like blood meals amongst other things.
As molting continues, there are more mature individuals present. Each adult molt cycle lasts around 10 days. This causes newly-emerged nymphs that old skins left behind replace after previous generations died off due to a lack of food.
Fecal Spots
Bed bugs excrete feces as they feed. These black or brown spots are about the size of a poppy seed. You can find them near where bed bugs have been hiding, such as in the seams of mattresses and box springs, along the edges of carpets, behind picture frames and headboards, and in any other cracks and crevices.
The spots may also appear on linens, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. Look for them during daylight hours because bed bugs are nocturnal and hide from the light.
Bed bug poop will often appear in clusters of tiny spots, streaks, or smudges. They are brown and slimy with a consistency like soft cheese.
When you want to help identify what kind of poop this is, here is how:
You can sometimes mistake it for mold or mildew. Use your sense of smell for the nose before reaching out to grab some from different areas.
Bed Bug Aggregation
They will aggregate when they are about to molt. You will see them in groups of two to five near where they are hiding. When you see more than this, it is likely an infestation and you should call NY Bed Bug Dogs.
When looking for places that bed bugs might hide in your home, it is important to differentiate between molted skins, feces, and aggregation habits. It is not always easy to see these signs. But knowing what to look for can help you get rid of the pests before they become a bigger problem. Suspecting that you have an infestation means to call NY Bed Bug Dogs immediately. These bugs can cause some serious health problems when left untreated.
You can find these blood-sucking pests in every corner of the globe. But they are most common where humans thrive. It means you could also become at risk. Soiled clothing may present an equally attractive cue for bed bugs to hitchhike around with their human ride.
Can You Stop Bed Bug Infestation Early?
Yes, you can stop bed bug infestation early. But it takes a concerted effort and a lot of work. You have to become vigilant in looking for the signs of an infestation and then act quickly!
When you think you have bed bugs, call NY Bed Bug Dogs at 866-753-2006 for a free consultation. One of the experienced dog handlers will go to your home to inspect for bed bugs and give you a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Stopping a bed bug infestation requires identifying common hiding places and signs of molting, fecal spots, and aggregation. When you find any of these signs, take immediate action to eliminate the pests before they become a bigger problem.
Bed bugs are annoying pests that can make your life a living hell! The best way to stop their spread is by regularly inspecting for signs of an infestation. Take care early on, before bed bug numbers reach a critical mass!
Monitoring and Detection
The best way to deal with an infestation is to stop it before it becomes a problem. One of the best ways to do that is through constant monitoring and early detection.
Bed bugs are challenging to detect because they hide so well. You can find them in every corner of the globe. But their common locations are where humans thrive. That means you could also become at risk.
Active bed bug monitors use lures to mimic the presence of a host and draw these insects out from their hiding places. Most often, this involves carbon dioxide or heat. Two signals that these bugs rely on for locating prey. These attract them much like how your dog might get drawn towards some tasty treat at your dinner table.
The best way to keep bed bugs from climbing up your posts is by using passive interceptors. Put these small plastic dishes under the mattress or box spring and have an outer textured surface while still being smooth on top. They cannot escape easily even when there were attempts from these annoying insects!
Controlling Infestation
Enlighten yourself on how to control bed bug infestation in your home. Below are two ways:
Non-Chemical Management
One of the most common methods for stopping a bed bug infestation is through non-chemical management. This means using heat to kill the bugs and their eggs.
When you have an active infestation, you will need to take some more aggressive steps. Contact NY Bed Bug Dogs for a consultation. They can help you determine the best course of action for your specific situation, including using heat to kill the bugs and eggs.
Modern pest management professionals have recently begun using diverse non-chemical tools to help control bed bug infestations. These include natural enemies, including ladybugs and other insects that prey on these pests.
Designed pheromone traps for detection rather than attraction purposes so as not to cause any harm or discomfort. That is when they engage in unequal combat with their targets. Set up monitor stations around your property where you can check remotely how things are going without getting up off those comfy couch cushions.
DIY Treatments
While it is preferable to have a pest management professional deal with a bed bug infestation, there are some do-it-yourself treatments you can use as well.
One of the most common DIY methods for stopping bed bugs is steam treatment. You can buy a steamer or rent one from a local hardware store. Read the directions carefully and test in an inconspicuous area before using on furniture or mattresses.
Another common DIY treatment for stopping bed bugs is heat treatment. Do this by using an oven, a hot plate, or a hairdryer. Again, read the instructions carefully and test in a hidden area before using on furniture.
The natural way to get rid of bed bugs is by using tea tree oil and lavender essential oils. Use tea tree oil as an effective repellent against those annoying pests that want nothing more than your bloodline. Know that essential oils for centuries kill them off without mercy!
What Kills Bed Bug Instantly?
Natural repellents and the use of essential oils kill bed bugs instantly! The only downside that they might cause is killing beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies in your garden that these annoying buggers also like to feed.
Heat treatment kills bed bugs permanently by cooking them until they die. Of course, this process can become expensive and time-consuming. It requires hiring a pest control service to do the duty for you. You will need to make sure your home or office space reaches at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours to get rid of the eggs and the adult bed bugs.
The most effective solution for killing bed bugs instantly is diluted rubbing alcohol! It makes them weak as soon as it makes contact. They also evaporate quickly which means that you are safe using this method. That is over other forms like pouring freshly brewed beer on those annoying little critters or throwing vats full of urine into their hiding places!
You may think that bed bugs are the last thing you want in your house. But it is possible to act and keep them from infesting. Early detection of an issue can save time on cleaning as well as money spent on bed bug extermination services. These might not work when left too long without treatment.