Here at Pestmaster® Services, we get a lot of questions about bed bugs. Here are a few of the most common:
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? How Do I Get Bed Bugs?
Unlike some pests that mostly live outside away from humans but come indoors for food or shelter, bed bugs need humans to thrive and survive. They live almost exclusively with humans, and they can easily spread from one home or apartment to another.
Bed bugs are best understood in terms of being bloodsucking hitchhikers. They will hitch rides on things such as luggage, purses, briefcases, or other items that have been placed in areas where there is an infestation. It’s common to pick bed bugs up from general travel including from buses, hotels, laundromats, and even other people’s homes. Another common way bed bugs get into homes is through bringing secondhand items such as furniture and clothing that are already infested.
How Can I Tell If We Have Bed Bugs? Can You Have Bed Bugs Without Knowing?
The best way to tell if you have bed bugs is by knowing the signs of an infestation. Here are the most common signs of bed bugs in Syracuse:
- Tiny bloodstains on sheets
- Brown spots with a rusty look on mattresses, walls, and sheets
- Noticing small white eggshells
- A strange, musty odor
- Rows of small red bites when you wake up in the morning
It is possible to have bed bugs without knowing as there are some people who don’t have reactions to the bites. In these cases, you might be getting bitten without knowing it.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide? Where Do Bed Bugs Hide On Your Person?
Bed bugs only come out at night to feed, so during the day, they can hide in many places in your home including mattresses, box springs, floors, furniture, and in cracks and crevices in walls.
When catching a ride on things like purses and luggage, they can hide in areas such as pockets, small areas between your things, and around seams.
While bed bugs can travel around on items you carry, they don’t actually hitch rides on human bodies like ticks. Instead, they only attach themselves to humans at night when they are feeding.
What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly? Can A Hair Dryer Kill Bed Bugs?
While there are many do-it-yourself methods that homeowners use to try to kill bed bugs, they are rarely effective. Things like using a hairdryer might kill a few bed bugs, but they don’t get rid of the infestation. Most of these DIY methods just waste time and money.
The most effective way to get rid of bed bugs and prevent them from coming back is to get professional help. To learn more about bed bug removal in Syracuse, call the experts at Pestmaster® Services. We offer free quotes. With over 40+ years of experience in the pest control business, and sustainable, science-based products, you can trust our technicians to keep you and your family safe from these disgusting pests.