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Bed bugs will hide in very small cracks and crevices and will usually visit their hosts a few hours before dusk to feed on their blood. Signs of bed bugs are very easy for pest control professionals to spot, but for the untrained person, it can be more difficult.
Here are some common signs of bed bugs.
Adult bed bugs are approximately ¼ - inch long (6.35 mm) – about the size of an apple seed – and
reddish-brown in color. Nymphs, or young bed bugs, can be translucent to pale yellow or tan in color, and smaller than their adult counterparts. All are visible to the naked eye.
When bed bugs defecate, they leave behind “smears” of black fecal matter (in layman’s terms – poop). These smears may resemble what would happen if you touched a permanent marker to a piece of fabric.
Bed bug eggs are pearly white and visible to the naked eye, although harder to detect because of their size – about 1/32-inch long (0.79375 mm), or approximately half the size of a grain of rice. They are typically found grouped together in clusters.
In extremely large infestations, a musty smell or odor similar to coriander or cilantro may indicate the presence of bed bugs.
Bed bugs molt as they grow, and when they do, they shed their skin and leave behind a “cast skin,” either as a whole shell or flakes of their previous skin.
Small blood stains can be left behind on sheets or fabric when bite sites ooze or when humans unknowingly smash a bed bug.
Call Rentokil today for advice and to schedule a bed bug inspection of your home or business.
Inspect slats, rails, or platforms
• Inspect the floor and baseboard coverings under and behind the bed
• Inspect the carpet for any live or dead insects before vacuuming
• Inspect any outlet covers
If you're not sure how to deal with bed bug-infested furniture in your home, you'll need to clean thoroughly and keep these areas sanitary and ventilated if you want to get rid of bed bugs quickly.
Bed bugs are resistant to many chemicals, and many of the chemicals available on the market have not performed well in practice. Recent discoveries of "super bed bugs" in various countries have even been reported to be completely immune to commonly prescribed bed bug chemicals.
The following protocols should be avoided as they may cause further spread of the infection and pose a risk to your family and pets.
Health Issues: While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, redness, and swelling. Some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions requiring medical attention. The psychological impact can also include anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances, I mean, heavily disturbed.
Spread and Infestation: Bed bugs reproduce quickly, A single bed bug can convert into an infestation in just 10 weeks (and by then will have started to invade neighboring rooms), so the need is to discover any infestation as soon as possible so that the risk of bed bug bites can be reduced. Without prompt treatment, a small problem can escalate into an outbreak throughout a home or building, making it more difficult and expensive to eliminate.
Economic Costs: The longer bed bugs are present, the more costly it can be to eradicate them due to their growing numbers and the potential need for more extensive pest control measures, including professional extermination services, replacement of furniture, and sometimes even temporary relocation costs.
Property Damage: Over time, bed bugs can infest mattresses, furniture, curtains, and even walls and electrical outlets, leading to damage and decreased property value. Infested items often must be discarded to fully address the problem.
Reputation Damage: For businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, bed bug infestations can damage reputation, deter customers, and result in negative reviews, which can have a long-term impact on business and revenue.
An inspection by Rentokil will help to confirm a problem and enable our Service Technicians to offer the best solution.
As part of our bed bug pest control services, Rentokil also passes on our expertise in the form of training for your staff on bed bug early warning signs. Contact our team to find out more.
Call Rentokil today for advice and to schedule a bed bug inspection of your home or business.
Over 50 years of experience protecting Hong Kong homes and businesses from bed bugs