What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In My Nashville Home?
Many people dread finding bed bugs around their homes. But how can you tell if you have a bed bug infestation, and what do you do about it? Thankfully, Urbanex has the answers to all your questions. We provide Nashville pest control that’s effective, affordable, and safe.
How Can I Be Sure It’s Bed Bugs In My Home?
Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic pests that infest homes. They’re only about a ¼ inch long and dark brown. Even though bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, they can be hard to see if you aren’t looking for them. Bed bugs can also sometimes be confused with other pests that bite. But bed bugs can only crawl, unlike fleas, which have large hind legs that allow them to jump. Bed bugs are also different from ticks, which will latch onto their host for hours at a time. Instead, bed bugs bite and immediately leave.
Although they’re named for beds, bed bugs can be found anywhere inside a house. In fact, they tend to spread out through a home. Beds are a common hiding place, but so are other furniture items. They may also hide in baseboards, outlet covers, and other cracks and small openings. Bed bugs are tiny and pretty flat; if a gap is wide enough to fit a credit card, it’s wide enough to hide a bed bug.
Because bed bugs can be hard to see, you must be aware of other signs. Bed bugs leave behind reddish-brown fecal spots on surfaces. You also might find blood spots left by feeding bed bugs. You may find eggs or eggshells, but these can be hard to see; they’re small and white. Bed bugs also shed their skin throughout their life cycle, and you might be able to find these molted skins. Sometimes, a bed bug infestation causes a musty odor throughout the home. And, of course, the most noticeable sign of bed bugs is their bites. Bed bug bites typically appear as itchy welts, which can be found in small clusters or lines.
Is It Dangerous To Have Bed Bugs In My House?
Bed bugs aren’t exactly harmful. Although they bite, they do not spread disease or have a venom that makes the bites painful or inflamed. In fact, you probably wouldn’t even feel a bed bug bite; you’d just notice it later when it starts to itch. However, bed bugs are not pests you can ignore until they disappear. Bed bug infestations continue to grow if they’re left untreated, and they do affect people and homes. Their bites are itchy and uncomfortable, and scratching at them can lead to infection. A bed bug problem in your home can also start affecting your sleep. Even though bed bugs aren’t venomous and don’t spread diseases, they’re still problematic pests that must be taken care of as quickly as possible, so getting effective bed bug control is crucial.
Why Do I Have Bed Bugs In My House?
Bed bugs can travel from building to building on luggage, clothing, and other items. They’ll crawl onto a backpack, jacket, or furniture item and make their way into a new home. The best way to prevent bed bug infestations is to keep your personal belongings safe from hitchhiking bed bugs, especially when you’re traveling. You can do this by following these strategies:
- Inspect hotel rooms before settling in
- Avoid letting your personal items touch other people’s
- Place bags and other items on hard surfaces rather than carpets or soft furniture
- Inspect second-hand items before bringing them home
- Wash and dry clothing on high heat after traveling
- Vacuum out bags when returning home
You probably don’t want to think about bed bugs lurking in your hotel room, but it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Check the bed, furniture, and other locations around the room for signs of bed bugs. Remember that these pests can be anywhere, not just in beds. Keep your belongings on tables or luggage racks rather than a carpeted floor or softer furniture. As much as you can, keep your own belongings away from other people’s, including in shared coat rooms and on public transportation.
Before you bring home anything you got second-hand, check it for bed bugs. Look for the same signs you would find in your house: fecal spots, bloodstains, eggs, molted skins, and the bugs themselves. If you find anything that could be evidence of a bed bug infestation, have it professionally treated before bringing it home.
One of the most common times for bed bugs to be brought into your home is after you’ve been traveling. When you get home, vacuum your luggage to remove any bed bugs that might be hiding in them. You can also wash and dry clothing on high heat to kill bed bugs.
Ideally, these bed bug prevention tips work; you never have to deal with an infestation. But if you start seeing signs of bed bugs around your home, the best way to get rid of them is to call a professional pest control company.
How Do I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In My House?
At Urbanex, we believe that bed bugs can—and should—be removed safely and effectively. When you call us, we’ll schedule a time for a home inspection, where we’ll look for all the places bed bugs are hiding. Then we’ll develop a treatment plan that will get rid of all the bed bugs. Our professional bed bug treatments are designed to be effective and safe for home use. If you’re finding bed bugs around your Nashville home, call Urbanex to remove them.
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