Bed bugs have been a nuisance—both painful and frustrating—for centuries. These tiny, elusive pests can hide in unexpected places, making them difficult to detect. 

But bed bugs aren’t the only insects that cause discomfort—Stink Bugs, June Bugs, and Mosquitoes can also be a nuisance in different ways. If you're unsure what bit you or how to deal with the irritation, check out our guides on identifying and treating bites from these common pests. Here's everything you need to know about bed bug bites and how to get rid of them for good. 

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What are Bed bugs?

Usually measuring five millimeters, bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects with a scientific name Cimex lectularius. Still, they can lead to a range of public health issues even in cases where they do not cause disease spread.

Bed bug numbers have returned recently in response in part to the rise in travel following pandemic-related disruptions. Eliminating bed bugs is becoming more challenging lately since some of them have even evolved to defy conventional treatments.

Given their small scale and hiding skills, these pests can be difficult to spot. However, early on spotting and handling a little infestation is far easier than handling a major one.

Usually the first sign you have a bed bug issue is the little welts bed bugs leave on the skin after biting. Additionally leaving reddish streaks on your linens could be crushing the bugs. These nighttime invaders find it easier to consume while you and your dogs are asleep as they are drawn to body heat and carbon dioxide.

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What Look Like Bed Bugs?

Finding bed bugs could prove challenging if you have no idea what to search for. About the size of an apple seed, these bugs are roughly quarter of an inch long and move swiftly. More likely to be noticed on your mattress or sheets are little, black, or rusty spots that could represent crushed bed bug droppings than the real bugs.

Bed bugs, minuscule in nature, can hide in many places, including around wall socket edges or in areas between baseboards and walls. Though they are not tiny, their small enough nature makes them difficult to perceive with the unaided eye, particularly given their quick movement and difficulty for long stretches of time concentration on.

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How to Check for Bed Bugs

An essential first step, particularly when traveling, is to check for bed bugs. Experts advise thoroughly checking the room for indications of infestation when visiting a hotel or other lodging. Check for small, dark ink-colored stains behind headboards, in soft furnishings, and along mattress seams. Lift the mattress to examine the box spring after looking behind pictures and at baseboards.

Key places to inspect for bed bugs include:

• Mattress tags and seams
• Behind baseboards, headboards, and picture frames
• Electrical outlets and appliances
• Seams of chairs and couches between cushions
• Folds of curtains
• Drawer joints
• Under loose wallpaper and wall hangings
• Where the wall and ceiling meet

Regular checks can help catch bed bugs early and make them easier to eliminate.

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How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Since bed bugs can show up in even the most pristine environments, don't hold your cleanliness responsible should they find their way into your residence. You might find them picked up from a hotel or they could ride on your clothes or bags.

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Expert Help

If you spot bed bugs or begin experiencing the usual red, itchy bites, you should contact a specialist straight once. Once bed bugs have established themselves, eliminating them can be costly, so you should not try to do it yourself.

Professionals use pesticides and non-pesticide treatments among other strategies to solve the issue. This could entail traps, dry steam, heat or cold treatments, and blocking off bug hiding places. Over time, be ready for several treatments. Because bed bugs can be tenacious, it might take multiple professional intervention rounds to eradicate them.

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DIY Options

There are actions you may take to assist stop the spread of the infestation even while you wait for experts:

• Seal joints, fissures, and other possible hiding places using silicone caulk.
• Treat contaminated items: To eradicate bed bugs from fabrics, wash everything in hot water and dry on the maximum heat setting. Steam cleaning can help with furniture and carpets; but, be sure the steam temperature is above 130°F.
• If you have contaminated goods that cannot be cleaned, pack them in a sealed plastic bag or container for up to a year to help the bed bugs die off.
• Thoroughly vacuum: After every usage, discard the contents of the vacuum bag or canister; sweep all surfaces.
• If you cannot clean a piece of furniture, for example, it would be advisable to toss it. To guarantee it never gets used again, rip out the stuffing or brand it with a "Bed Bugs" label.

How to Prevent a Bed Bug Invasion

Dealing with bed bugs ideally starts with keeping them out of your residence never entirely possible. This guidance can assist to reduce the risk:

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Check furniture before bringing it inside.

You should always check furniture, brand-new or otherwise, before bringing it into your home. Bed bugs can spread on both new and old furniture, hence be sure to look for any signs of an infestation.

When Traveling, Lift Your Bags

When you're traveling, keep your bags in safer places like the bathroom or on countertops rather than on the bed or in hotel drawers. Make sure you thoroughly check your bags before you repack them; then, do the same when you arrive home.

Warm Your Garments

After your vacation, dry any dryer-safe items in your luggage on the highest setting for 30 to 45 minutes. This heat treatment will kill any bedbugs that might have followed you.

Leave your bags in your car.

Extreme heat or cold can eradicate bed bugs. If at all possible, leave your baggage in your car for some few hours before unpacking. In the hotter months, your car's temperature can soar beyond 120°F, enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs in about three hours. In the colder months, you should leave your bags in your car for few days.

Keep your bags outside.

Steer clear of leaving your bags in your bedroom to decrease the likelihood of drawing bed bugs into your home. Keep it outside in a garage, storage shed, or other spot until you're positive it's bug-free.

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Insect bites can be not only uncomfortable but also pose health risks in some cases. While preventive measures like repellents offer temporary relief, professional pest control services are key to tackling the source of infestations effectively. For a truly bite-free environment, here are some reputable pest control companies known for their safe, eco-friendly, and efficient solutions.

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