Bed bugs are hard to get rid of, like a plague

If there is one pest that strikes fear and disgust into the hearts of every homeowner, it is the bed bug. The night time nursery rhyme you heard as a child rings true, minus the sweetness of the lullaby! Bed bugs are nasty creatures that have even nastier habits. They literally live in their own filth and are hard to get rid of like the plague.

Once they get inside your home, the only guaranteed way to dispose of them is by hiring a professional pest control company. Consumer-based products like chemical foggers can work to an extent, but rarely are enough to quell a beg bug invasion entirely. The main reason being is the eggs they lay can remain dormant for months, and are highly resistant to such products.

What do bed bugs look like?

Bed bugs have a distinct shape that is easily recognizable, that is if you are lucky enough to spot them! They are nocturnal animals and come out only at night to feed and do their dirty work. Seeing one when the lights are on is never a good sign, as this is a strong indicator that an infestation may be present.

The name itself is a bit misleading as well; though bed bugs can often be found beneath your mattress, they are just as content living on sofas, behind baseboards and anywhere else that provides adequate protection.

How to know you have been bitten

When born, bed bugs are typically 1 millimeter in length, but they will grow to 1/2” by the time they reach adulthood. Since nymphs have not had time to feed on blood, their pigment is a shade of translucent white as opposed to the familiar red. Cimex Lectularius is a menacing animal that bites in a pattern formation.

Rows of small red marks (though swelling is a common reaction for many people) are the tell-tale signs that one has been bitten by a bed bug. This is useful information to keep in mind, as knowing what type of pest you are dealing with will speed up the extermination process.