Bed Bug Expert Bill Carlson Explains How To Check for Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestations are popping up everywhere. They are increasingly being encountered in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, health care facilities, dormitories, shelters, schools, and modes of transport. Other places where bed bugs sometimes appear include movie theaters, laundries/dry cleaners, furniture rental outlets and office buildings. The first step in the bed bug battle is a precise inspection of the suspected infestation area. Bed bugs are tiny apple seed like bugs that are brown in color. There flat bodies allow the to hide in the smallest crack and crevice.  

Most people do not know they have an infestation until they see bite marks, which look similar to a mosquito bite. They can be a red, itchy welt or a small flesh colored bump on the skin. Bed bugs can sense the carbon dioxide expelled by a human. Bed bugs are most active at night and often hide neat a sleeping area waiting to feed. This is why the entire area of sleeping quarters should be thoroughly inspected. Search behind headboards, mattress seams, under the box spring fabric and in the tiniest crevices of the mattress railing. Also pull out nightstand or dresser drawers. Bed bugs love to hide in a dark secluded area such as the underside of a drawer.  

Bed bugs can also be found in bookshelves, behind photo or picture frames. Remove outlet covers and treat these areas as well. Nothing should be left unturned. You are Sherlock Holmes and the bed bugs are your fugitive on the run. Bed bugs can spread to adjacent rooms. Inspect all areas near the infested (suspected) areas. Once you discover what areas are infested you can follow step-by-step instructions to remove these creepy crawly pests.  

Signs that you may have a bed bug infestation:

• Black or Dark brown spots- these spots can appear similar to mold and be found on your mattress or bedding as well as behind picture frames or other furnishings.
• Skin casings- bed bugs molt or shed their skin five times prior to reaching adulthood. These casings can be found in mattress seams.
• Bite marks-bed bug bites appear similar to mosquito bites. Bed bug bites can be a red, swollen welt that appears in a pattern or set of three any where on exposed skin.
• Odor- in severe infestations there is often a sickly sweet “buggy” smell. In smaller infestations this smell is not always present.

You can get more information about bed bugs at www.bed-bug.net.