Picture it: you’ve come across a tiny, black insect in your home, but you’re not sure what it is. Is it a bed bug? A carpet beetle? A tick? Unfortunately, bed bugs are one of the most commonly misidentified pests – which can make it difficult for homeowners to spot the signs of an infestation before it spirals out of control.
If you’re a Gulfport resident, here’s what you need to know about identifying bed bugs when you spot them, other signs that may point toward an infestation, and what to do if you do actually have bed bugs in your home.
How To Identify Bed Bugs In Gulfport, MS
With flat, oval bodies that are roughly the size of an apple seed, there are a few key indicators that you’re dealing with a bed bug. Adult bed bugs usually have brownish-black bodies and antennae, but if they’ve fed recently, they may appear more reddish-brown and “bloated” from their meal.
Nymphs, or adolescent bed bugs, often look completely different than their adult counterparts. While they may have similar body shapes, they’re smaller, have a white and yellow coloring, and may be almost invisible to the naked eye if they haven’t fed recently.
If you’ve stumbled upon a colony of bed bugs, you may even catch a glimpse of bed bug eggs – these eggs are only the size of the pinhead, may feature eye spots if they’re more than five days old, and should have white coloring.
Other Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation In Gulfport, MS
Since bed bugs are most active at night, infestations may go unnoticed for long periods of time since you’re not actually seeing the bed bugs – which is why it’s crucial to stay on the lookout for other warning signs, such as:
- Noticing itchy, red welts across your skin after you wake up in the mornings
- Finding dark, reddish-brown spots (bed bug fecal matter) on your sheets, pillowcases, or stained on other furniture
- Live bed bugs crawling across your home or furniture
- Discarded eggshells or shed skins around your home
It’s a common misconception that bed bugs only live in your bed frame or mattresses. While these bugs may prefer sleeping areas because they know you’ll use them, bed bugs aren’t picky about their hiding spots – they’re capable of surviving anywhere that sees human activity, including furniture or other rooms of your home.
The Most Effective Way To Control Bed Bugs In Gulfport, MS
Don’t let the size of a bed bug fool you – these pests can be extremely challenging to get rid of, especially if you’re trying to handle them on your own. In fact, the best way to handle an active bed bug infestation is with professional help. At Havard Pest Control, not only do we have years of experience when it comes to handling bed bug infestations, but our treatment methods are extremely effective and permanent too.
Whether you think you’ve stumbled upon a few live bed bugs or you’re just noticing the signs but can’t find an infestation, you shouldn’t wait to – call Havard Pest Control today to learn more about what we can offer with our bed bug control program and how we can help your Gulfport home.