Picture that you are lying in bed one morning, feeling cozy and well-rested. However, as you pull back the blankets, you see that you are covered in bug bites. Something was feasting on your blood while you slept! Chilling thought, isn't it? For many Americans, this scenario is all too real. Bed bugs are a common blood-eating pest that makes their way into homes throughout the world. As such, pest control in Dallas often includes bed bug control.
Bed bugs are parasitic insects, meaning they derive their nourishment from an unwilling victim, otherwise known as a host. Bed bugs, in particular, receive their sustenance via the warm blood of mammals. This includes humans and their pets. Bed bugs are tiny, flat, oval in shape, and brown in color. After feeding, they become plump and darker.
How Can I Tell If I Have Bed Bugs?
The thought of a bunch of tiny bugs drinking your blood as you sleep is enough to make any Dallas resident vigilant. Luckily, there are a few signs that keen-eyed homeowners can watch for to see if bed bug activity is at play. These signs include:
- Small, itchy bite marks arranged in a linear pattern
- A musty odor emitting from areas with a severe infestation
- Reddish-brown fecal stains on walls and upholstery
- Bloodstains on your bedding
- Bed bug skins that have shed during molting
These are all red flags that a bed bug infestation is happening in your Dallas home.
How Do Bed Bugs Enter My Home?
There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding what causes bed bugs and how they enter the home. Despite popular belief, bed bugs do not just appear anywhere there is filth. Simply keeping a tidy home, while great, is not enough to repel bed bugs. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. They can clasp onto clothing, luggage, and furniture and are then carried into the home.
All The Ways Bed Bugs Can Spread
Since bed bugs are such good hitchhikers, they often spread via contaminated items; this means that no matter how clean you keep your Dallas home, if an infested piece of furniture is brought in, then bed bugs will spread. This is why it is so important to inspect pieces before bringing them home, especially if it was acquired secondhand. High-traffic areas such as hotels are also highly susceptible to bed bugs. Inspect your hotel room before settling in. After trips, check your luggage before returning home to ensure you don't have any stowaways.
Professional Bed Bug Control For My Dallas Home
Now that you know what causes bed bugs and what bed bugs look like, you may be wondering what kills bed bugs. Precautionary measures, such as drying textiles on high heat destroy bed bugs at all stages. Additionally, sweeping, vacuuming, and changing bedding often decreases your chances of getting or spreading bed bug infestations. However, if you believe your Dallas home is already under attack by bed bugs, then it is best to look for bed bug control companies near you that can partner with you.
We at Greenforest Termite & Pest Control are experts at bed bug control. We have more than three decades of experience in helping local families rid their homes of pests such as bed bugs. First, we inspect your Dallas property top to bottom to ensure that bed bugs are in fact the problem and determine the scope of the infestation. Afterward, we use every tool in our arsenal to put an end to your infestation; we even offer follow-ups to guarantee your home is free of bed bugs. With free estimates, tailored services, and a pest-free guarantee, you can't go wrong with Greenforest Termite & Pest Control.