Are You Having A Hard Time Dealing With Bed Bugs In Durham?

How Can I Be Sure It's Bed Bugs In My Home?

The first step in dealing with bed bug pest control in Durham is to determine that you actually have these bugs in your home. Tiny bumps and a significant rash are not conclusive evidence. What do bed bug bites look like?

• Bites from a single bed bug will appear in a line or zig-zag, and you'll likely have three bites.
• Bites from several bed bugs will appear in one area on your skin. Bed bugs feed together. 
• Bed bug bites are more likely to appear on your upper body. These insects are attracted to carbon dioxide. 
• Bed bug bites usually appear on skin that is exposed during sleep, such as your shoulder, neck, or face.
• Bed bugs move across the skin as they bite. Therefore, the bumps will not have a random appearance. They'll look like a swath or path.
• A bed bug bite won't have an ulcer in the center, like some spider bites.
• A bed bug bite won't have a pustule in the center, like a fire ant bite.
• Bed bug bites range from small bumps to large welts.  

Once you've analyzed your bumps, take a look around your home. You may find other evidence to prove that you do, in fact, have bed bugs. Here are the most common signs they leave and where bed bugs hide in your home.

• Bed bugs cause black fecal spotting on bedding. These black stains may have brown coloration as well. The brown coloration is dried blood.
• Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they pass through their five instars of development. Look for these tiny, yellowish skins in the seams of your mattress or box spring.
• Bed bugs lay tiny white eggs. The eggs are only 1mm long and aren't easy to see. Drag a credit card along seams and probe under labels to find them. You may also find eggs in luggage and bags.
• Bed bugs use pheromones to communicate with each other. Some compare the smell to coriander or cilantro. Others compare the smell to a dirty locker room towel. Neither is pleasant. You may use your nose to find bed bugs.
• You may find bed bugs as you search. They are six-legged insects that are shaped like apple seeds and range from 1 to 5 millimeters in length. Newly hatched nymphs are pale white or red, depending on whether or not they've had a blood meal. Developing nymphs are tan. Adults are reddish-brown but may appear black if they haven't eaten for a while.

Now that you know how to check for bed bugs and how to identify bed bugs when you uncover them, it is time to consider what to do about those bugs. Are bed bug bites dangerous? Let's take a look.     

How Dangerous Is It To Have Bed Bugs In My House?

While studies prove that bed bugs can carry diseases that impact human health, we are happy to say that there are no reported cases of disease transmission from bed bugs to humans. That is certainly good news, but it isn't good to allow any insect to routinely bite you. There are a few risks to consider:

• Children can scratch bites and create open wounds that get infected. It is easy to miss these wounds and not realize a problem exists.
• Repeated bites can lead to anemia, which can have severe medical symptoms. Seniors are more at risk for anemia because they have less of a skin reaction but deal with the ramifications of continual bloodletting.
• Bed bugs can have a psychological impact. Studies are not yet conclusive, but for some people, bed bugs can cause trauma.

You should familiarize yourself with the risks and how they impact those who live in your home. The best way to address the dangers of bed bugs is to not have them. Let's move on to bed bug prevention tips.     

How Can I Prevent Bed Bugs From Coming Into My House?

The first thing you should know is that bed bugs don't live in your yard, so ongoing perimeter pest control will have no impact on these insects. You need to consider ways to prevent bed bugs from hitching rides into your home. How do they get in?

• They can hitch a ride home with you from vacation.
• They can hitch a ride home with your kids.
• They can hitch a ride into your home on guests.
• They can go from one apartment to another by way of the walls.
• They can hide in furniture items and you may purchase an infestation when you purchase a used item.
• They can hide in any household item with a void, including computers. Check all used items you purchase second-hand.

When you or anyone in your home leaves to go to work, school, or a public venue, it is possible to bring bed bugs home. Bed bug infestations have been treated in a number of surprising locations such as libraries, movie theaters, and office spaces. Few places are exempt. 

The most common location to pick bed bugs up is a place with sleep accommodations, such as a hotel or motel room. No business is safe from bed bugs, no matter how clean or how well run. These insects may have come in on the guests that occupied your room before you did. It is always wise to do the following:

• Store your bags in the bathroom and perform an inspection.
• Check the beds, surrounding areas, and all furniture items.
• Use your luggage rack when opening your luggage.
• Store your laundry in a sealed plastic bag during your stay.
• When you return home, run all of your clothing items through a dryer cycle. Heat eliminates bed bugs.

Catching bed bugs before they come home with you is the best way to prevent an infestation, but this isn't easy. When you add to this that other people can bring bed bugs into your home, you quickly realize that it is nearly impossible to prevent an infestation. The best you can do is mitigate the chances and keep the number of your local pest control service provider handy.