Bed bugs are so named because they have a habit of feeding on people while they sleep, but they can be found anywhere people gather, including on public transportation or in hotels, schools, retail stores and offices. A bed bug inspection service NYC can confirm their presence, but understanding the characteristics and signs of these critters can help you determine if you need professional help.
What are Bed Bugs?
These oval, tiny insects live on the blood of humans and other animals. Their adult bodies are roughly the size of an apple seed, but they swell and turn reddish in color after feeding. They can’t fly, but they do scurry quickly over ceilings, floors and walls.
Bed bugs eggs are similar in size to a tiny speck of dust, and female may lay hundreds over a lifetime. As they grow, bed bugs shed their skins often and need to feed on blood prior to each shedding. They can develop into mature adults in a month and begin reproducing immediately.
Where Bed Bugs Hide
Their small size and flattened bodies make it easy for bed bugs to hide nearly anywhere. They don’t nest like bees or ants, but they do prefer to live and hide in groups. You may find them in your mattress, bed frame, box spring or headboard. These are prime hiding places because they give access to humans they can feed on during night.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
The bites don’t initially hurt, but they will later turn into welts that itch. You may spot bite marks where skin has been exposed during sleep.
If you have bed bugs, you may also notice blood stains on your pillows or sheets, fecal spots in hiding areas and a musty, offensive odor from their scent glands.
If you notice any of these signs and need a bed bug inspection service NYC
