Big cities are growing increasingly congested as more and more people move into urban areas. It is a trend that shows no sign of abating anytime soon. People (and their families are in search of the convenience and job opportunities that are offered in large urban areas.
This influx can have a variety of benefits for those who choose to make our major cities their homes. Employment opportunities are more readily available than in rural areas, infrastructure enabling travel is more advanced, and in some circumstances, the daily necessities are more widely available.
Bedbugs are one of the pests that welcome the ready source of food (in this case, blood) that large concentrations of human beings make so readily available. Unfortunately, the problem is getting worse. The latest reports from both entomologists and pest control experts indicate that these pests are going to infest homes and other living spaces in greater numbers before we find a foolproof way of ridding ourselves of the problem.
This is why it is absolutely essential that you spot the signs of a bedbug infestation as soon as possible so that you can take the action that is required to get rid of the problem. Allowing the bedbug population to grow in a home is a recipe that will lead to not only discomfort – but can also affect the price of a property, and often mean that linens and other household goods such as mattresses need to be replaced. This process can be both inconvenient and potentially extremely costly.
It is essential that those living in the big city keep an out for the signs that their space has been invaded by bedbugs.
Of course, the first step towards how to find bed bugs is to ensure that the property might have a bedbug problem – and there are several signs that will point towards bedbugs being a possible problem. Then you might have a bedbug problem.
The first is the appearance of bites on the skin. These bites are red and swollen and have a dark spot in the middle of each bite. The bites are often grouped together or follow a line across the skin. The bites can itch and burn and form fluid-filled blisters. Another sign of a bedbug infestation is small spots of blood on the sheets of the bed or on pillows. Bed bug fecal matter may also be visible (small dots the size of the full stop at the end of this sentence). The small (about 1mm) yellowish shed skin of bed g nymphs may also be present.
If you notice these signs, then you are more than likely facing a bedbug problem. Your next step is to identify where the bedbugs are living and breeding so that you can take steps to eliminate the problem.
Here are some of the common areas where bedbugs congregate – and always remember, a bedbug is about the width of a credit card. If a tiny space admits a card – it can serve as a space for bedbugs to live and thrive.
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The Bed And Mattress
The first place to check for evidence of bedbugs is on and around the bed and mattress. Bedbugs are particularly prone to hiding in the seams and piping of mattresses. Also, check around the tag of the mattress. Bedbugs may also shelter in the joinery of the bedframe and in the upholstery of fabric-covered headboards, as well as joins.
Fecal Stains On Walls
Take a look at your walls, especially if you have wallpaper. Bedbugs often leave stains from fecal matter on walls. Also, make sure to check behind artwork or hanging decorations in the room (most often the bedroom), as bedbugs will seek shelter in these secure spaces.
Appliances And Power Outlets
Check around appliances for signs of bedbugs (fecal matter etc.). Bedbugs are often found sheltering in appliances. They are also fond of electrical outlets where the evidence of an infestation can be found – and the bedbugs themselves can often be found behind the outlet cover.
The Ceiling
Do not neglect to look up when searching for evidence of a bedbug problem. They can often be found sheltering in the joint between walls and ceiling.
Fastenings
It may seem unbelievable, but bedbugs are not only tenacious but will also make their home anywhere that there is a join that will admit them, even in the space between the head of a screw and the material into which it is sunk. Do not neglect to inspect even the smallest of spaces. If there are signs of bedbugs in one area, it is more than likely they will be found elsewhere in the room.
Ask the Question
There may be some social stigma attached to the admission that one has a bedbug problem. However, bedbugs are not a sign of poor hygiene. They are a problem that can affect anyone. Even public transportation where surfaces are regularly disinfected can have a problem with these pests.
If you think that you have a bedbug problem, then ask a neighbor if they have experienced this issue in the past – or are presently dealing with it. If they have had a problem or are having a problem and it has been identified as a bedbug issue – then you are at increased risk. Besides this, it is only neighborly to warn them that there might be a problem.
There are a number of over-the-counter treatments for bed bugs, as well as strategies to deal with bedbugs that do not require the use of pesticides. However, as mentioned previously, if the bedbug problem has become severe enough, you may have no choice but to call in a professional exterminator.
