Are You Suspecting That You Have A Bed Bug Infestation In Your Home? Here Are 10 Ways To Know For Sure!

Bed bug infestations have increased by a staggering 5000% in recent years. There is no getting away from these blood-sucking mites; they have infested homes, businesses, hospitals, and even public transportation! So, why has the number of bed bug infestations skyrocketed?

Are You Suspecting That You Have A Bed Bug Infestation In Your Home? 
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The answer is simple: they catch a ride with poor innocent individuals by concealing themselves in clothing, books, luggage, and used furniture. Next, they arrive at their following breeding location, where the process can start all over again. Bed bugs have long been associated with staying in filthy hotels or motels at the lower end of the accommodation market; however, this is no longer the case; bed bugs have been discovered in even the most luxurious 5-star hotels!

There have even been reports of children bringing bed bugs to school in their clothes, where the bugs then spread from child to child, causing bed bug infestations all through the community being served by the school.

Luckily, there is some good news, if you can call it that when dealing with a bed bug infestation. The good news is that there is no substantiated proof that bed bugs can carry or spread disease when they feed on human blood. However, there is a significant risk worth mentioning. If a bug has recently filled up on infected human or animal blood and you happen to burst it with bare hands or fingers, you may contract the infection. The bed bug is usually so full after feeding on a host that it only needs a little pressure to burst; simply moving in bed would suffice. Remember that the bugs can go up to a year without food, so they make the most of it while it's available.

Are you suspecting a bed bug infestation in your home, workplace, or hotel room? If so, what should you do? In this bed bugs guide we share ten valuable hints to help you conduct a successful search if you suspect a bug infestation. The tips will advise you on what to look for and the particular places. Even if you have no reason to believe there is a problem, these guidelines will help you avoid one in the future.

1. If you stay in a hotel, regardless of how reputable it is, don't assume it's bed bug-free! Bearing this in mind, you should first check the bed, as it is their preferred hiding place. You'll need to remove the sheets and other bedding first, then conduct a thorough visual and physical inspection of the mattress. Check along the top and bottom seams using your fingers. Check for signs of bug activity around any buttons, handles, or seams on the mattress.

2. Second, look for tiny, dark-coloured spots frequently found along the headboard's back. They can be the fecal matter left by the bed bugs. Normally, if they're feces, they'll stick on the surface and leave a smear if you wipe them away with a damp cloth. Take some time looking for any live bugs or the translucent coloured peelings that growing bugs have shed.

3. Bed bug eggs are the third possibility you should look for. These are visible to the naked eye and are the size of a rice grain, with white colour. The eggs are frequently found nestled along the edge of mattress seams.

4. Check other room areas and furnishings, such as bedside cabinets, dressing tables, and closets, especially in drawers and underneath the free-standing modules. Radios, clocks, smoke alarms, and light switches are common hiding places that should be checked.

As a general rule, check any area with little light, as these are the most likely places for bed bugs to hide and breed. Bugs are nocturnal creatures, remember! If you have any doubts about bug infestation, avoid unpacking your personal belongings and clothing. If you find powder traces in the closets, drawers, and headboards, this is a sign that bed bugs have been, and possibly still are, present.

5. An intelligent strategy ensures that your luggage is always placed off the ground and securely closed every time. This keeps the bed bugs from infiltrating your belongings and bringing a bed bug infestation into your home. If your hotel or accommodation area has a luggage rack, you better use it.

6. Bed bugs are classified as ectoparasites, parasites that live outside of the hosts and feed on the hosts' blood. When a host is present, they feed for five to seven days. So, if you discover that your pyjamas or bed sheets are bloodstained, it could be a sign of bed bugs.

7. Bed bug bites are usually tiny, red, and may itch. However, not everyone is affected by bed bug bites. Bed bug bite sites include around the neck, hands, arms, and legs and are commonly near blood vessels. Bites from bed bugs are expected during the night when we are sleeping.

When biting, the bugs usually inject an anaesthetic so that the bite won't wake you up. You are more likely to notice these bites in the morning. Bites are a sign that you should have your home inspected, even if it's difficult to tell what irritated just by looking.

8. A strong, unpleasant odour in a room could indicate a bed bug infestation. A bed bug smell has been described as sweet, akin to fresh raspberries, while others describe it as "musty."

9. Do not be misled by the essence that the hotel you are staying in is brand new and has only officially opened a few weeks or days before your encounter. The person who resided in your room the night before you might have brought bed bugs in his baggage or clothing from a nearby hotel or home! Hence, always check for bugs even in the most upmarket, new hotels.

10. You may occasionally see the bed bug itself rather than just the signs they leave behind. Bed bugs are flat and oval as adults and the size of an apple seed, about a quarter an inch long. While these light brown pests have six legs, they don't have wings, which is a relief. They usually become swollen and darker brown after a blood meal. Spider beetles, fleas, bat bugs, booklice, and carpet beetles are examples of the many insects that are frequently confused with bed bugs and vice versa. 

Hopefully, these pointers will assist you in determining whether or not you have a bed bug infestation. If you discover such a problem in your home, look for an immediate and effective solution.