When you are fighting a battle against pests, an important part of winning that battle is knowing how to recognize the enemy. There is no type of pest that is welcomed in your home. So, any type of pest that you see should be addressed. However, it does help to know how to recognize what type of pest you are dealing with so you can seek out the appropriate type of help. Homeowners dread the thought of developing a bed bug infestation but many are unable to identify how a bed bug looks. This is because bed bugs typically stay out of sight unless you are specifically looking for them. Learning what bed bugs look like can help you in your efforts to discover and eliminate the pest.
Bed bug appearance before feeding
The appearance of bed bugs is different depending on age and the timing of feeding. Before feeding, a bed bug is round and appears flat. The coloring of the pest when young is a light yellow, translucent color. Older bed bugs appear darker and lean toward being reddish-brown. Bed bugs have six legs and are less than 1/4th of an inch long.
Bed bug appearance after feeding
The process of feeding gives the bed bug a darker coloration. The reddish-brown that you find on more mature bed bugs turns darker after feeding. Being full can also remove some of the flatness that is typical of bed bugs. A recently fed bed bug may look engorged in comparison to one that has not fed recently. These changes make it a little easier to spot bed bugs.
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How to recognize bed bug activity in your home
Bed bugs typically feed in the early morning hours between 2 am and 5 am. If you are determined to confirm an infestation by actually seeing bed bugs, your best chance of doing so is during those early morning hours. Bed bugs can also leave behind signs that they are active. One of the most common signs of bed bug activity is small black dots or smudges on your bedding. These black dots are excrement from the bed bugs. It can show up anywhere on your bed but the most likely place is near the head of the bed so take a close look at your pillow cases. It helps to have light colored bedding if you are trying to spot bed bugs or signs of bed bug activity in your home. A reddish-brown bed bug or dark spots will be easier to see on white or very light bedding. Check out our services Pest control services St. Louis and bed bug control st louis.
It is possible to spot bed bugs and signs of bed bug activity if you know what you are looking for. These pests tend to stay out of sight but you can discover their presence if you are willing to take the steps necessary. If you do discover bed bugs or signs of their presence in your home, get in touch with a bed bug exterminator as soon as possible. The quickest and most efficient way to eliminate these pests from your home is with the help of a professional pest control expert.