How Did I Get Bed Bugs In My Richmond Home?

Not too many years ago, bed bugs were almost entirely eradicated in the United States. However, over the past few decades, they have made an alarming comeback. Bed bug infestations are on the rise. If you’re wondering how you got bed bugs in your Richmond home, our professionals at Pestmaster^® Services has the answers you’re looking for.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Adult bed bugs are a light reddish-brown color and have broad, flat bodies that are about the length of an apple seed. After they’ve eaten, bed bugs become a darker shade, and their bodies become engorged. Bed bugs have six legs and two antennae.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Richmond, Virginia Homes?

Unlike many pests that come inside after being out in your yard, bed bugs infest homes through a different method. Bed bugs love to travel and they’re expert hitchhikers. Anyone can have a bed bug or two climbs onto their clothing or into their purse, luggage, or bags without even realizing it. This can happen when you’re out in a public place such as the library, at school, or in a hotel. Bed bugs also like to use public transportation as a means of traveling to your home.

When you enter your home, the bed bugs come with you. They climb off your clothing or out of your bag and make themselves at home in your home. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are just as happy to settle into a clean house as they are in a dirty one. Any Richmond home is susceptible to a bed bug infestation.

How Do You Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home With You?

While it’s impossible to be 100% certain that you aren’t bringing bed bugs home with you, you can take precautions. When staying away from home, inspect your room before bringing your luggage inside. Look under the bed sheets, between the mattress and box spring, and behind picture frames.

After being away from home, even if it was just for the afternoon, check over your clothing and inside your bags before bringing anything into your house.

If you’ve purchased used furniture or appliances, it’s possible that they could be carrying bed bugs along with them. Carefully inspect these items before bringing them into your house. You may want to have them inspected by a professional for added assurance.

Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

The good news is that bed bugs are not known to spread any diseases. However, they do bite and will leave you covered in itchy red welts. There is a chance that scratching these bites can open them up and lead to a secondary infection.

When a bed bug infestation becomes very large, they can give off a musty odor, similar to when you’ve left wet towels out for too long. Perhaps the biggest threat with bed bugs though is not a physical threat at all. Bed bugs steal your peace of mind. Knowing these pests are active in your house causes stress and insomnia. 

What Should You Do If Bed Bugs Get Into Your Richmond, VA Home?

Bed bugs will not go away on their own. Trying to eliminate them with over-the-counter remedies will, at best, only reduce their population. At worst, these DIY techniques will give you a false sense of security. When threatened, bed bugs can go into hiding for months before coming back out in full force. 

If you think you have a bed bug infestation, you need the help of Pestmaster^® Services. We will first inspect your Richmond home to confirm whether or not you have an infestation. If you do, you’ll receive professional bed bug treatments from our highly trained service technicians. You’ll sleep well knowing your home is bed bug-free. Contact us to schedule an inspection.