Awakening with itchy, red bites? You must be part of the growing population that is struggling to keep bed bug infestations at bay. Don’t let bed bugs take over your home — stay ahead of the game by understanding the early signs of bed bugs, their life cycle, and how to identify early signs.
Life Cycle Of A Bed Bug
A bed bug’s life cycle starts when an egg hatches into a nymph, the first of its developmental stages. The nymphs are tiny but fully formed and ready for their adult lives—which could survive for months without eating as long as living conditions are favorable.
Nymphs – Small, Wingless Insects
Nymphs are small, wingless insects – distinguishing them from typical flying insects. To survive, they must find sustenance in animal or human blood. It puts them in an interesting category of insects, away from their relatives – and closer to the more unforgiving territory. The bites these wingless threats can cause often become itchy and red, with pain sometimes persisting for upwards of a week.
Resilient Creatures
Adult bed bugs are quite resilient creatures. This creature can live without food for up to 10 months! Once they emerge from the final molt, they rapidly seek romantic encounters. Having survived the challenging pre-adult life stages, they desperately want to leave their mark on the species with more offspring. After all, reproducing is a primary purpose in any creature’s life, and this bug is no exception.
Reproduction – Bed Bugs Lay Up To 500 Eggs
Mating is an important part of establishing a successful bed bug population. After they feed, mating takes place almost immediately. The female bed bug can lay up to five eggs per day, and up to 500 eggs in their lifetime! Understandably, many new bed bug generations come from that clutch.
Molting
For each egg to grow into a mature adult bed bug, it must undergo five rounds of molting in a process called instars – each molt results in discarding its outer shell. The molting process is one step closer to becoming an adult bed bug. Therefore, more than five stages typically exist before adulthood is achieved, depending on environmental factors and access to blood meals.
How Long Do Bed Bugs Live
Bed bugs only have life spans ranging from two months up to 18 months. Their lifestyle and feeding patterns are interconnected to their lifespan – they usually feed every 5-10 days and stay near their food source when possible. They will survive longer if they have a continual supply of blood.
Death occurs after the insect runs out of food sources or when natural predators come into contact with them. Bed bugs also die due to extreme temperatures and lack of environmental moisture.
Behavior And Habits Of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are sensitive to temperature and humidity, so they will usually search out warm, humid places to hide. They often live in mattress seams, box springs, furniture crevices and carpets near beds, behind pictures and electrical outlets – anywhere there is an aperture or opening that offers protection. As nocturnal creatures, bed bugs come out once the lights have gone out, making it difficult to detect them during the day.
Early Signs Of Bed Bugs
Performing a visual inspection for bed bugs is simple but requires attention to detail and caution. Following are the early signs of bed bugs:
#1 Tiny, Reddish-Brown Bugs
The first sign of this pesky creature is usually tiny, reddish-brown bugs. These bugs are about the size of an apple seed, and you can be found in the cracks and crevices of beds, sofas, and other furniture. They can also be found in the seams of mattresses and box springs.
#2 Blood Stains On Sheets
Another sign of bed bugs is blood stains on sheets or other fabric. Bed bugs feed on human blood, leaving small amounts of blood when they bite. This blood can stain sheets and other fabric.
#3 Dark Spots On Mattresses
Bed bugs can also leave behind dark spots on mattresses or other furniture. These spots are bed bug feces, which are small, dark-colored pellets.
#4 Eggshells And Shed Skin
Another sign is the presence of eggshells and shed skin. Bed bugs lay their eggs in small clusters, and these eggshells can often be found near where the bed bugs are hiding. Bedbugs also shed their skin as they grow, which can also be found near where the bedbugs are hiding.
#5 Musty Odor
Bedbugs often emit a musty odor that has been described as similar to the smell of coriander. This odor is caused by the bedbugs’ scent glands, which they use to mark their territory.
#5 Bites On The Skin
One of the most common signs of bedbugs is bites on the skin. Bedbugs bite humans on the face, neck, arms, or legs. These bites can cause redness, swelling, and itching. Learn in detail about the Bed bug bites here.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs
Are you tired of waking up with bites on your arms and legs? You have tried using bed bug spray, but it never works? Imagine getting rid of bed bugs in just one week and no longer worrying about being bitten every night while you sleep. Follow the preventive measures in the affected areas with signs of infestation:
#1 Check For Bed Bugs Regularly
One of the best ways to prevent bed bugs is to check for them regularly. You can do this by inspecting your bedding and furniture for signs of bed bugs. Look for small, brownish-red stains on sheets and mattresses and small, dark-colored bugs.
#2 Keep Your Home Clean And Clutter-Free
Another way to eliminate bed bugs is to keep your home clean and clutter-free. Bed bugs are attracted to dirt and clutter, so by keeping your home clean and tidy, you can help to prevent them from infesting it.
#3 Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming is another effective way to prevent bed bugs. Vacuuming can help to remove any bed bugs that may be present in your home, as well as any eggs or larvae that may be present. Be sure to vacuum all areas of your home, including under furniture and in crevices and cracks.
#4 Steam Clean Your Carpets And Upholstered Furniture
Steam cleaning your carpets and upholstered furniture can also help to prevent bed bugs. The high steam temperatures will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may be present in these items.
#5 Wash All Of Your Clothing And Linens In Hot Water
Washing your clothing and linens in hot water is another effective way to prevent bedbugs. The high temperatures will kill any bedbugs or eggs that may be present in these items.
#6 Examination After Traveling
Traveling often brings new and exciting experiences but can also bring unwelcome stowaways like bed bugs. To avoid bringing bedbugs home after traveling, check your room, vacuum your suitcase, and inspect all clothing items before putting them away to catch any pests that may have returned with you.
If Need Be, Seek Professional Help
Professional exterminators provide an effective solution whereby they use targeted treatments to eliminate bed bug infestations. They will conduct a thorough inspection to confirm the presence of bed bugs and then proceed with treatments that include insecticide sprays and dust and thermal heating methods. It will eliminate the adult pests and the eggs before they further incubate.
By choosing professional help to get rid of bed bugs, you can save time and hassle. These experts have the necessary training, experience, and tools to eradicate bed bugs successfully in line with industry standards and regulations.
The Final Verdict on Bed Bugs
Pay attention to your environment, and inspect for other early signs of bedbugs, such as tiny brownish-red eggs on surfaces or small dark stains on sheets or mattresses. If you have found evidence of bedbugs, call a professional exterminator immediately to get rid of them before they multiply.
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