Early signs of bed bugs include unexplained red, itchy clusters or lines spots on the skin. You will find these bites overnight. Some other common early signs are red welts, zigzag patterns, dark fecal spots, human blood stains on sheets, shed skins, tiny eggs, musty odors, and live bugs in crevices.
Identifying the early signs is important to prevent a full-blown infestation. Inspect the sleeping area carefully to confirm their presence. You will notice small brown stains on the sheets or mattresses. Look for tiny, pale, or reddish insects in the seams of mattresses, headboards, or furniture. You will also see small, pearl-coloured eggs in the crevices of furniture or bed. Check baseboards or couch cushions as well to find live bed bugs.
Clean the affected area properly. Use high-temperature washing bedding, spray soap water, and seal cracks and crevices to control the problem. Consult a professional bed bug Exterminator if the infestation persists.
What do bed bug bites look like?
Raised, small, itchy, red bumps with 3-5 bites in a line together or in a line or zigzag pattern on exposed skin like the face, neck, arms, and hands. The bums sometimes have darker centres. You will see purple or darker color tones for darker skin.
Early Signs of Bed Bugs
Bites
Bites are the most common and noticeable signs. You will find these small, red, itchy welts on exposed areas, such as the skin, arms, legs, neck, and face. Some people experience mild itching, allergic reactions, swelling, or blistering. However, look for other signs since other insects might do these bites.
Fecal marks
Bed bugs often excrete digested blood and leave marks behind. You will find tiny black or dark brown stains along mattress seams, bedding, furniture joints, and baseboards. These marks smear when touched.
Musty Odors
A musty, obnoxious, sweet odor is another common sign of bed bugs, especially in confined spaces. spaces with a growing infestation. The smell will grow intense as the infestation progresses. If you do not find any other reasons for the smell, look for bed bugs.
Shell Casings
Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow through molting. You will find these translucent, yellowish shell casings in mattress seams, furniture cracks, and other crevices. These casings indicate that bed bugs are getting older and increasing.
Eggs
Bed bug eggs are often found in mattress seams, furniture joints, or wall cracks. They are 1 millimeter in size, white, and oval-shaped.
Actual Bed Bugs
Seeing live bed bugs clearly defines their presence. Adult bed bugs are flat, six-legged insects with brown or reddish-brown. They look more reddish after feeding the blood.
How Bedbugs Bites Harm My Health
1. Skin Reactions
Bed bug bites lead to red, itchy welts and persistent scratching. It can damage the skin and develop widespread rashes. Some people experience swelling, redness, and blistering due to allergic reactions to bed bug saliva.
2. Sleep Disruption
Bed bug bites decrease the poor quality due to frequent chronic sleep loss. It leads to less productivity and damages mental well-being. You can even experience long-term insomnia.
3. Psychological Effects
Constant worrying about bug bites causes chronic stress. Some people experience embarrassment or frustration with the stigma associated with bed bugs.
5. Mental Health Decline
Prolonged exposure to bites can contribute to long-term psychological trauma. Besides, sleep deprivation causes different mental health issues.
Bed bug bites vs mosquito bites
Bed bug bites appear in clusters or a zigzag pattern on exposed areas and get itchy and red over time. Mosquito bites are solitary bumps with immediate itching. These are more common on legs and arms.
How to check for bed bug
Inspect Your Mattress and Bedding
Check seams, folds, and edges to find reddish or brown bloodstains, fecal spots, live bed bugs, eggs, or shell casings. Mattresses and bedding are their favourite place to live.
Examine Furniture and Surroundings
Inspect upholstered furniture, cracks, and joints of drawers. Look carefully at electrical outlets, wall hangings, and crevices for signs of infestation.
Use a Flashlight and Magnifying Glass
Bed bugs are nocturnal, and they like to stay in dark areas. So, use a flashlight to check hard-to-see areas to find live bed bugs or eggs.
How Do Bed Bugs Enter into Your House?
Bed bugs enter your house differently.
Travel
Staying in infested hotels, hostels, or cruise ships and common back to home can bring bed bugs to home. They ride on luggage, clothing, or personal belongings.
Secondhand Furniture
When you purchase used furniture, especially mattresses, couches, or upholstered items, with bed bugs or eggs, it can let the bugs enter your home.
Visitors or Guests
Bed bugs often reach your home by guests who unknowingly carry these bugs from infested locations.
Proximity to Infestations
Staying near infested areas like neighboring apartments or homes increases the risk of bed bug infestation.
How to get rid of bed bugs in Singapore
1. Identify the Infestation
The controlling starts with identifying the infestation. Look for early signs like bloodstains, black fecal marks, or live bed bugs. If you experience bed bug bites, look for other signs.
2. Clean and Declutter
Bed bugs love cluttered areas. So decluttering the infested room. Remove any unnecessary items. Vacuum the entire room, especially mattress seams, baseboards, and furniture joints. Dispose of any old bags or items.
3. Wash and Dry Fabrics
Wash all bedding, clothing, and curtains in hot water (at least 60°C) to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Dry them well after washing them at high heat.
4. Heat Treatment
High heat kills bed bugs. Use heat treatment to kill them. Hire a professional for bed bug heat treatment service. The method includes increasing room temperature and killing the bugs. It penetrates deep into furniture, mattresses, and walls.
5. Use Bed Bug Sprays
Use sprays with pyrethroids to cracks, crevices, and seams of mattresses and furniture. Make sure it is environment friendly. Using soap and water can instantly kill bed bugs. Mix half a cup of detergent powder with 1 liter of water and spray them on the bed bugs. They will be killed instantly. However, it will not kill the eggs.
6. Apply Mattress Encasements
Use mattress encasements to trap bed bugs and prevent further bites. These covers protect you and prevent bed bugs from hiding in the mattress.
7. Consult a Pest Control Professional
Hiring a professional is the best way to get rid of bed bugs. Consider hiring a pest control company in Singapore with more potent insecticides and advanced treatment options like fumigation, heat treatment, and targeted pest control solutions for severe infestations. Termite Specialist is one of the best NEA-certified pest control companies that can solve bed bug issues.
How to prevent bed bugs
- Inspect the secondhand items before bringing them into the house. Look for signs and treat them with heat for the best output.
- Check hotel rooms and public spaces before checking in. Inspect the mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture for dark spots or live bugs. Be cautious while using public transport.
- Clean and vacuum the area regularly.
- Try to use mattress and pillow encasements to create a barrier between you and any potential bed bugs.
- Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, baseboards, and electrical outlets.
- Keep minimum clutter to prevent the bed bugs from hiding and breeding.
Bedbug Myths You Must Know
Myth: Bedbugs mainly infest dirty homes.
Fact: Bedbugs can infest any home. They like warmth, carbon dioxide, and blood, not dirt.
Myth: Bedbugs transmit diseases.
Fact: They don’t.
Myth: You can get rid of bedbugs by using over-the-counter sprays.
Fact: These sprays kill visible bed bugs but fail to kill eggs.
Myth: Bedbugs can fly or jump.
Fact: Bedbugs cannot fly or jump.
Myth: Bedbugs only come out at night.
Fact: Bedbugs are nocturnal, for sure. But they feed during the day when necessary.
Should you see a doctor for bed bug bites?
You should not see a doctor for simple bed bug bites. However, if you experience severe allergic reactions, infection signs (redness, pus), persistent symptoms, or unusual reactions like fever or chills, then consult a doctor.
