A pest infestation in your house can have a significant impact on how you feel inside the home. Pests can contaminate your food supply, cause damage to your property, spread disease, and cause itchy bites. There is no type of pest that is welcomed in your home, but some infestations are more widely feared than others. Of all the infestations you can get in your St. Louis home, few are more feared than bed bugs. These tiny pests can cause big problems for homeowners. Bed bugs are a problem in St. Louis but there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of developing an infestation. Learning about bed bugs, how they get into houses, how to identify signs of activity, and where to go for help are steps that can help you prevent or quickly treat a bed bug infestation.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are flat, wingless insects with six legs. They are less than 1/4th of an inch in length which means that they are difficult to see unless you are specifically looking. Bed bugs are found in beds, on nearby bedroom furniture, and in cracks and crevices near the bed or sleeping area. These pests feed off of human blood – typically while you sleep – and can cause red, itchy bites. Bed bugs are a problem in St. Louis and in many other areas throughout the United States.
How do bed bugs get into houses?
The small size of bed bugs makes it possible for them to travel with you undetected. Bed bugs can hitch a ride to your St. Louis home on your luggage, purse, or clothing. One of the most common ways people pick up bed bugs is through traveling. If you sleep in a hotel with bed bugs, for example, you can unknowingly bring them back home with your luggage. You can also inadvertently bring bed bugs into your home on secondhand clothing or furniture. Understanding how bed bugs get into houses can help you protect your home from these pests. For example, learning how to spot signs of bed bugs and checking for them before you sleep in a hotel room can help you protect your home from an infestation.
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How to spot signs of bed bugs
The small size and behavior of bed bugs can make them difficult to spot. They can squeeze into cracks and crevices when they are not actively feeding. In addition, bed bugs are most active during the time of day when you are likely sleeping (between 2 and 5 am). If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, pull back the corners of your sheets and do a visual inspection around the edges of your mattress. Bed bugs are small but they are not impossible to see if you are looking. You need to get help right away of you discover bed bugs on your bed. Another potential sign of bed bug activity is black spots on your sheets. These small black stains on your sheets can indicate that a bed bug fed on you during the night. Red, itchy bites that look like they are in a line are another potential sign of bed bug activity.
Bed bugs are a problem in St. Louis. Fortunately, there are effective options for eliminating bed bugs from your home. The best way to eliminate bed bugs from your home is to get professional help. In St. Louis and surrounding areas, Unitech offers bed bug treatment services that are quick and effective. You can schedule a time for a free inspection from Unitech to determine if your St. Louis home needs to be treated for bed bugs.