Bed Bugs in Jacksonville, Florida
If you’re worried that you might have a bed bug infestation in your home, then there are five signs you can look out for. If you need bed bug treatment services now, most pest control companies offer a free inspection and quote so that you have a better sense of what services you need and how quickly you can eliminate bed bugs hiding out in your home. They can explain what a bed bug treatment plan looks like so that you can solve your bed bug problem once and for all.
1. Itchy Red Bites
If you start noticing new bug bites on your legs, arms, and other places on your body that are exposed while you sleep, you might have bed bugs. Bed bug bites are pretty similar to other insect bites; they tend to be red and itchy, but because bed bugs often bite more than once, you might notice several bites in a row or in a zig zag pattern.
Some people can be particularly sensitive to bed bug bites. If you’re one of these people, you might notice that your bed bug bites become swollen and hot to the touch. If you’re having a particularly bad reaction, then you might notice blisters and hives. Keep an eye on your symptoms, and reach out for medical help if you’re concerned.
2. Blood on Your Pillowcase
Bed bugs hide in your bed and are active at night, so you probably won’t catch them in the act of biting you. However, when very hungry bed bugs bite, they inject you with an anticoagulant, also known as a blood thinner, to make sure your blood flows freely for them to feast on. As a result, you might notice blood spots on your pillowcase, especially if you’ve got bites on your shoulders, arms, or the back of your neck.
3. Brown Spots on Your Bedding
Like any other animal, bed bugs leave behind waste. If bed bugs are hanging out around your bed at night, you’ll probably see rust-colored fecal stains on your bedding when you wake up in the morning. We know it’s gross, but it can be a helpful way to confirm that you have a bed bug infestation in your home. If you’re resisting the urge to throw away all your sheets, try washing them in hot water and drying them on high heat to get rid of the bed bugs and to get the stains out. But it’s also not a bad idea to buy some new bedding once you get your bed bug problem under control.
4. Discarded Bed Bug Skins
Because they reproduce so quickly, bed bugs spread and take over fast. While they don’t live very long, bed bugs are constantly laying eggs, meaning you likely have bed bugs at all different life stages hiding out in your home. As part of their life cycle, bed bugs shed their skins, so you’ll probably find some small white shell casings in your home.
5. A Musty Odor in Your Home
In the case of severe bed bug infestations, you might notice a musty odor in your home. Some people compare this smell to mildew, like when you leave a load of laundry in the washer for too long. When a group of bed bugs are disturbed or threatened, they’ll release alarm pheromones, which can smell like coriander. If you start noticing either of these odors, you likely have a pretty substantial bed bug problem, so it’s important to contact a pest control professional with experience in bed bug extermination right away.
Bed Bug Treatment in Jacksonville Florida
If you’re looking for bed bug treatment in Jacksonville, Fl, reach out to Nationwide Pest Control today. We can set you up with a free quote and give you peace of mind that you’re in good hands with our licensed and insured pest control professionals. Don’t hesitate–call today at (855) 523-2508 or contact us online to reclaim your home from bed bugs and make sure they stay away for good.