A bed bug infestation can be an absolute nightmare to deal with so it’s good to know the early signs of bed bugs. Fortunately, the situation is much easier to handle at the beginning. Since it can be tricky to identify an early infestation, though, it helps to know what you’re looking for.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Baby bed bugs or nymphs are tiny and almost impossible to see. The adults, however, are about the size of a flax seed and can get as big as an apple seed when they’ve just eaten. They’re oval-shaped, flat, and reddish-brown in color.
You should note that a lot of people confuse bed bugs with spider beetles, carpet beetles, and cockroach nymphs so it’s good to look out for confirmation signs of an infestation as well.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs usually come from other areas that have an infestation. Since they’re not always easy to see, you can be in an infested place and not know it immediately.
The most common places to pick up bed bugs are apartments, hotels, and other multi-unit buildings. As long as there are shared accommodations, bed bugs can spread and build into an infestation.
How Do You Get Bed Bugs?
Though bed bugs don’t like to wander and can’t fly, it’s easy to pick them up from somewhere that’s infested. They can reside in furniture, clothing, bags, and luggage.
If you live in an apartment complex, the bugs may migrate from an infested area because they’re looking for more space and resources.
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5 Early Signs of Bed Bugs
1. Small Bloodstains On Your Sheets
It’s true that bed bugs are usually flat but they bulk up a bit when they drink your blood. If you roll over on them after that, they’re likely to lose some of it. When you wake up, you’ll see small rust-colored stains, smears, or splotches.
2. Signs Of Droppings
Bed bug droppings are tiny but you may spot an accumulation of it at infection spots as well as on your bed. Sometimes, the droppings will