Bed bugs are one of the most troublesome pests that can infest your home. Their tiny size and ability to hide in cracks and crevices make them difficult to detect until an infestation has spread. If you suspect you may have bed bugs in your Lancaster or Palmdale home, here are four key signs to watch out for.
1. Bites on Your Skin
One of the first indications of a bed bug problem is waking up with small, itchy bites on your skin. Bed bug bites are typically red, swollen, and arranged in a line or cluster. While the bites themselves are painless, they can lead to discomfort and skin irritation. Bed bugs are nocturnal feeders, meaning they will bite during the night while you’re asleep, making it hard to catch them in the act.
2. Bloodstains on Your Bedding
Another sign of a bed bug infestation is finding small bloodstains on your sheets, pillowcases, or mattress. After feeding, bed bugs may leave behind traces of blood, especially if they’ve been accidentally squashed while you’re sleeping. These stains can appear as tiny red or rusty spots and are often an early indicator of bed bug activity in your bedroom.
3. Dark Fecal Spots
Bed bugs leave behind dark, ink-like spots of fecal matter as they move around. You may find these spots on your mattress, bedding, headboard, or even walls near your sleeping area. These fecal spots are one of the most visible signs of a bed bug infestation, as they tend to accumulate around the areas where the bugs are hiding.
4. Shed Exoskeletons or Live Bugs
As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons, leaving behind translucent shells in their hiding spots. These discarded exoskeletons can often be found in the seams of mattresses, box springs, furniture joints, or other cracks where bed bugs hide. In severe infestations, you may even spot live bed bugs. They are small, reddish-brown, and about the size of an apple seed, usually hiding in dark, undisturbed places during the day.
What To Do If You Notice These Signs
If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your home, it’s crucial to act quickly. Bed bugs reproduce rapidly, and infestations can spread throughout your home before you know it. DIY solutions rarely work and can make the problem worse, so it’s best to contact a licensed pest control company.
At Bug Patrol Inc., we specialize in bed bug control and have the experience to quickly and effectively rid your home of these pests. Serving Lancaster, Palmdale, Lake Los Angeles, Pearblossom, Lake Elizabeth, Acton, and Santa Clarita, our team is dedicated to providing safe, thorough treatments to give you peace of mind.
Contact Us
Don’t let bed bugs take over your home. Contact Bug Patrol Inc. today at (661) 810-9901 for a free inspection and professional pest control services throughout the Antelope Valley.