While you might think you’d notice immediately if bed bugs were living in your mattress, it can be tricky to identify the problem. Bites are easy to confuse with mosquito or flea bites, and the bugs are not easily seen without a magnifying glass or strong light source. An infestation can be even more difficult to treat than it is to identify, and you should immediately do an internet search for bed bugs Fort Myers or wherever you reside to find an exterminator. Here are three signs that you may have an infestation on your hands.
Unpleasant Odor
If you’ve been noticing an unpleasant odor coming from your bedroom but can’t find the source, it’s time to investigate your bed. The pheromones released by bed bugs will have a musty smell, similar to wet, dirty clothing.
Use Your Eyes
Although bed bugs are tiny and difficult to see, it is not impossible to spot their small, brown bodies or dark excrement. Strip your bed and examine the seams of your mattress, box spring, and sheets. If the problem is widespread, you may even find the bugs in your drawers or other bedroom furniture.
Bite Marks
If you are waking up with red, itchy marks on your exposed skin, it could be a sign of bed bugs. Bed bugs feed on blood and use a long beak to pierce skin and engorge themselves. Though the bugs are not believed to be carriers of disease, the bites are itchy and unpleasant. Look closely for tiny rust spots on your sheets and mattress for another sign that they have been feeding.
Bed bugs can be picked up anywhere and are not a sign that your home is dirty. Conduct a thorough inspection of any hotel rooms you may stay in to lessen your chance of bringing the bugs home. Take action quickly if you suspect an infestation before it gets any worse.
