Bed bugs have been around for centuries. It’s hard to imagine what our ancestors did to cope with bed bug infestations. The frustration and helplessness they felt must have been tremendous. If you’re facing a bed bug problem, be thankful that extermination practices have evolved into what they are today. Mantis Pest Solutions uses the latest and safest methods and wants to be your first choice for pest control in Overland Park.
How To Identify A Bed Bug Infestation
You probably won’t have the faintest idea there are bed bugs in your Overland Park home until you start getting bitten. Your feet, legs, belly, arms, and other parts of your body will have small, red itchy bites. These bites often appear in lines or even zig-zag patterns. Could they be flea bites? Perhaps. Are you getting bit just at night or when you’re sleeping in bed or on another piece of furniture like your couch? If the answer is yes, you most likely have bed bug bites. Fleas bite 24/7, while bed bugs wait until it’s dark and your sleeping form is an easy target. If you suspect you have bed bugs living with you, let’s see what you can do to find out for sure.
The Symptoms Of A Bed Bug Infestation
Besides the tell-tale bites on your body, other symptoms of a bed bug infestation include:
- Small spots of blood on your sheets.
- Tiny bits or stains of bed bug excrement on your bedding or other furniture.
- Bed bug eggs.
- Shed bed bug exoskeletons.
- Bed bugs themselves.
When looking for signs of bed bugs in Overland Park, it is good to check your mattress and box spring carefully, but those aren’t the only places that bed bugs hide. You’ll also want to check places like your bed frame, behind wallpaper, in other furniture, behind pictures on your wall, etc. They are very elusive and can be anywhere.
What exactly are you looking for? You can search for a bed bug image online or look for a bug that is up to a quarter-inch long, reddish brown, with an oval body and six legs. You might also find baby bed bugs or nymphs. They are similar in shape to adult bed bugs, only smaller. You might even find eggs in or around your bed or other pieces of furniture. Look for tiny, cream-colored clusters of eggs that are stuck to the surface.
How Bed Bugs Hitch Rides Into Our Homes
It’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? How did bed bugs get inside your home? Bed bugs can thrive anywhere people sleep or congregate. A hotel room is the most common place people pick up bed bugs. (For future reference, put your luggage and other bags in the hotel bathtub to avoid bringing bed bugs home.)
Other places bed bugs are found include:
- A friend or relative’s home
- Cabs or Ubers
- Buses
- Subway trains
- Trains
- Airplanes
- Churches
- Restaurants
- Theaters
Bed bugs can crawl into your purse, backpack, or bag. They can crawl into your coat pocket. The possibilities are endless and can seem a bit far-fetched, but one can never be too careful. If you want to be extra diligent, check yourself and your belongings for bed bugs before you walk back into your home.
The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Forget about home treatments and any natural pest control for bed bugs; your infestation may be worse than you thought. You need a professional exterminator who knows exactly what needs to be done. Mantis Pest Solutions performs the best bed bug control in Overland Park and has the experience and battle gear to effectively eradicate your unwelcome houseguests. Contact us today for affordable, same-day inspection and treatment. Trust us. Searching for the best local pest control and bed bug companies near you is over!