What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, red-brown, flat insects that can reach up to one-quarter of an inch in length. They feed on human blood from sleeping victims, and they can be found anywhere, from homes to hotels, buses and airplanes, theaters, and even restaurant booths. Though sanitation can be a contributing factor in the severity of an infestation, even very clean homes and businesses can become infested.
A small percentage of people may experience a severe reaction to bed bug bites, but for the most part, the bites are painless and carry no risk of disease transfer. Most people are not even aware that these bugs are in around until the population gets so large they just can’t hide anymore.
Signs of a possible infestation:
- Blood spots on bedding
- Pockets of insects, especially in mattress creases and seams
- Sweet, musty smell in the area
- Bites and associated welts on the skin
Do I have bed bugs or fleas?
Both bed bugs and fleas are small and similar in color, but bed bugs are flat as opposed to fleas which are tube-like in shape. Bed bugs have small wings, whereas fleas don’t have wings at all. Fleas have long hind legs they can use to jump significant heights.
When bed bugs bite, victims typically don’t feel them at first, although they may experience itching when they awake. Bed bug welts are usually raised, like mosquito bites, and often appear in a linear pattern. Flea bites, on the other hand, usually appear sooner as clusters of red dots which are also itchy.
It’s important to keep in mind that people react differently to insect bites, so it’s best to contact a pest control expert who can help you identify the pest and eradicate the problem.
How do I get rid of them?
These bug complaints are up all over the country, but the biggest increases are in densely populated cities or vacation destinations like Tucson. They travel in suitcases, folded clothing, and bedding. College students are also a common method of transporting these insects between homes and dormitories.
A person who was never exposed to bed bugs may pick them up in their suitcases when the bags are stored with other infested bags in the cargo hold of aircraft. Staying in an infested hotel or sitting in an upholstered infested restaurant booth may also result in a bed bug problem.
This helpful video, produced by the National Pest Management Association, demonstrates how you can inspect hotel rooms for bed bugs.
Call Conquistador Pest
Contact Conquistador Pest to help you with Arizona bed bug control and extermination. Our licensed and insured exterminators will identify problem areas and work with you to determine the best possible ways to solve issues. Read about the other Tucson pest control services we offer! We also provide termite control and weed control.
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