Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic insects that have fed on humans for eons. Even their name suggests they're an unfortunate part of our lives. Bed bugs were practically unheard of 50 years ago, having almost been eradicated, but lately, they've become a very common problem, with thousands of Mississippi households fighting off infestations yearly.
Common bed bugs are less than 1/4 of an inch long, with flat, oval, mahogany-colored bodies. As bed bugs feed, their bodies stretch and elongate, and their color changes to a reddish-brown.
Bed bugs are nocturnal and most active in the middle of the night when they come out to feed on the unfortunate human in their vicinity. Their preferred food source is human blood, but they can snack on animal blood if nothing better is available.
Bed bugs can't fly or even run very fast and have evolved to hitchhike to their next victim in animal fur, clothing, furniture, etc.
Let's look at how to identify bed bug bites, ways to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home, how to get rid of bed bugs if they're already there, and where to find quality pest control in Mississippi.
How To Identify A Bed Bug Bite
Bed bug bites are the earliest sign of an infestation, but unfortunately, they often go unnoticed for weeks, sometimes months. Bed bug saliva contains anticoagulants and numbing agents, allowing them to feed without waking up their victim and getting smashed.
Bed bug bites most often look like small red bumps arranged in a zig-zag pattern or a line. Bed bugs bite, probing for capillaries as they move across your body, forming these patterns. Some other signs of bed bugs in your house are:
- Blood spots or brown bed bug fecal spots on the bedding.
- Bed bug eggs or shed skins.
- A musty odor from bed bug pheromones
If you've identified that your home has a bed bug infestation, there is little time to waste. Bed bugs multiply rapidly; an infestation can and will quickly snowball out of control if not stopped.
Bed Bugs Won't Just Go Away On Their Own
With the comfort of your home to enjoy and an ample food supply (you) readily available, bed bugs in Mississippi have no reason to move on. In theory, they might if you leave your house for a prolonged period of time, leaving them without your blood to snack on, but in practice, bed bugs can wait on their next meal for many months and are not likely to go anywhere on their own.
What You Should Do If You Find Bed Bugs In Your Home
If you've realized that your house has bad bugs, do the following:
- Vacuum your bed and surrounding area (the whole room if your flooring is carpet) as soon as possible.
- Throw your bedding and clothes in the washer and dry them at the highest setting available.
- Think about where bed bugs might be hiding; they like to stay within five yards of their food source. Seal cracks in the walls and clear them out of books and nicknacks around your bedroom.
Bed bugs spend most of their day hiding and are only active for about five hours in the middle of the night. The first step in controlling a bed bug infestation in Mississippi is removing places where they can hide.
The Trick To Completely Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs
At Havard Pest Control, we've served Mississippi residents for over 70 years, helping them with bed bug control issues and keeping their homes pests-free. If you are worried about a bed bug infestation-give us a call today tp get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Mississippi! We'll be happy to help.