Questions to Ask Yourself if You Believe You Have a Bed Bug Infestation

We’ve all been there. You see a dark spot on your sheets and freeze up, immediately wondering, Is that a bed bug??. Whether it turns out to be a bug or a crumb, that feeling of fear is never fun to deal with. The good news is, you don’t need to panic! There are professional bed bug exterminators for a reason. If you believe you have a bed bug infestation in your home, your office, or even your car, there are a couple of crucial questions to ask yourself before you seek help. 

Do You Have Any Bites?

One of the first signs that most people notice is that they’re waking up with bed bug bites. Bed bugs feed on our blood during the night. They prefer to feed at night because humans are easier targets when they’re asleep and not moving. Much like mosquitoes, bed bugs leave small, red, itchy bites. However, unlike mosquitoes, they usually leave bites in small rows (typically rows of 3 bites). This is because they can become dislodged if you move in your sleep and will try to attach to the nearest blood vessel they can find. 

Have You Been Anywhere With Bed Bugs Recently?

Think about the past few weeks. Have you traveled? Bed bugs are unsettlingly common on airplanes, and we all know that they’re common in hotels as well. If you’ve been in a hotel, on a plane, in a rideshare vehicle, etc. over the past few weeks, you may have accidentally brought home bed bugs. Even if you didn’t see any bugs while you were there, it may be helpful to call the hotel or airline and ask if they’ve had any issues recently.

Do You See Any Visual Signs of Bed Bugs?

Live bugs aren’t the only thing to look for when inspecting for bed bugs. You should also look for fecal stains, which can appear as small black or rust-colored spots on your belongings. If you find dead bed bugs anywhere in your home, it’s likely that live bed bugs are nearby. Another visual sign of bed bugs is bed bug eggs or eggshells- these are pale yellow and very small.

Have You Brought Home Any Secondhand Furniture or Clothing?

Finding a nice piece of furniture on the side of the road can seem like a great find at first- it’s free and it’ll fit perfectly in your living room! However, keep in mind that there may be a reason it was put on the curb to begin with. Some people will spray-paint or write “BED BUGS” or something similar on furniture if that’s the reason they’re getting rid of it. However, not everyone does this, so you should always exercise caution when picking up furniture off the side of the road. Similarly, when shopping at thrift stores, you should always wash and dry your purchases as soon as you bring them home. It’s generally expected that people wash clothing before bringing it into a thrift store, but again, not everyone does. Thrift stores typically do not wash clothes once they come in, due to the large number of donations they receive. 

What Do I Do Now?

If you discover an infestation, don’t worry! Contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC in Lakewood, Ohio! We use heat treatment to eradicate bed bugs and we offer entire home sanitation heat treatments. This safe, effective treatment is completed in less than 12 hours, and Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC offers a 60-day warranty for you to verify for yourself that your bed bugs are fully eradicated. Contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC today for a FREE quote at (216) 400-5330 or through our website, and check out our other bed bug informational resources on identification, prevention, and eradication.