7 Early Signs of Bed Bugs to Look Out For in Sacramento

It is important to detect a bed bug problem as early as you can in order to treat the issue. Here are 7 early signs of bed bugs.

7 Early Signs of Bed Bugs to Look Out For in Sacramento

A survey of pest professionals reported that over 80% of bed bug calls in Sacramento were originally for another insect or pest. Meaning most people think that they have a different infestation than they had originally thought. When it comes to bed bugs, there are some tell-tale signs that you can spot in order to know if you have bed bugs… or something else.

If you think you might have a bed bug problem, it’s important to act fast. Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of and can cause a lot of damage to your home and belongings. Not to mention they can leave devastating bite marks on your skin!

If you’re wondering what are the early signs of bed bugs, here is what to look out for!

1) Fecal Spots

A survey from the National Pest Management Association revealed that 1 in 5 Sacramento homes has either been infested with bed bugs or know someone that has. One of the most noticeable signs to look out for in infection is fecal spots.

If you have a bed bug problem in Sacramento, then you’re going to see fecal spots appearing on your furniture. They are dark spots that can be found on your sheets, pillowcases, sofa, mattresses, and even curtains.

These small brown or black spots are the fecal matter of bed bugs. So if you start seeing these, you could have a bed bug infestation!

2) Weird Odors

If you’re noticing a weird musty smell in your room, it could be a sign of bed bugs. Bed bugs emit an alarm pheromone that smells slightly sweet or musty. So if you start smelling something strange, it might be time to do some investigating!

If you can’t seem to find the original source of the odor, such as a pile of laundry, then you may have a bed bug problem on your hands.

3) Bites on Your Skin

One of the most common signs of bed bugs is bites on your skin. Bed bug bites will typically appear in either a line or cluster and they can be extremely itchy. If you are starting to notice unexplained bites on your body when you wake up or after sitting down on your sofa, it could be from bed bugs.

These bites can commonly be mistaken for mosquito bites. The best way to tell is with patterns. Bed bug bites can often be in clusters as well as in zigzag patterns. The bites will typically be between 3 to 5 bites.

For those that have sensitive skin, these bites can be devastating since they leave serious irritation and even skin allergies.

4) Blood Stains

If you’re seeing bloodstains on your sheets, it’s a pretty clear sign that you have a bed bug problem. Bed bugs frequently feed on human blood, and when they do, they can leave behind evidence in the form of bloodstains.

Bed bugs bite and fill up on human blood. While you’re sleeping, if you shift or roll over on top of them, they’ll end up being crushed, leaving behind all of the blood on your sheets.

These bloodstains can be anything from rust-colored to black, and they will commonly be found on your sheets, pillowcases, and mattresses.

5) Bed Bug Eggs

If you’re looking for a surefire way to tell if you have bed bugs, then look for their eggs. Bed bug eggs are tiny, oval-shaped, and pearly white in color. They will commonly be found near where the adult bed bugs are feeding.

The eggs themselves will be around 1 millimeter in length and the size of a pinhead, almost like a piece of rice.

Eggs of a female bed bug can take around 6 to 10 days to hatch. So if you’re finding eggs alongside fecal spots and weird odors, it’s likely that you have a serious infestation on your hands.

7) Pet Behavior

If you have bed bugs, then your pets are likely to be affected as well. Bed bugs often bite humans, but they can also bite pets. If you start noticing your pet scratching more than usual or acting restless, it might be a sign that they’re being bothered by bed bugs.

Pets can also be a good way to tell if you have bed bugs since they’re often the first to notice an infestation. If you see your cat or dog scratching at their skin a lot, it’s a good idea to inspect your home for bed bugs.

7) Bed Bug Shells

If you’re finding bed bug shells or husks, then there’s a high chance that you have an infestation. Bed bug shells are the discarded casings of juvenile bed bugs.

The shells from these bed bugs can be found anywhere that the bed bugs may be breeding or hatching. This is usually in places such as in the seams of your mattress, upholstered furniture, and even in the crevices in your wooden furniture.

Shells are a good way to tell if you have an infestation because they’re often easier to find than the actual bed bugs themselves. They’re translucent and hollow outlines of juvenile bed bugs, and they’re often white or light brown in color.

So if you’re starting to see any of these signs, it’s time to take action! It may be too late to prevent a bed bug infestation, but you can have it removed. Get yourself a professional pest control company to come out and take care of it right away. 

Early Signs of Bed Bugs in Your Home

It’s not always easy to tell if you have bed bugs. If you’re noticing any of the early signs of bed bugs, it might be time for a professional pest control service to come out and take care of your problem.

If you are still unsure if you have a bed bug infestation or not, you can also have a professional come out and inspect your home. Since they’ll have hands-on experience with the insects, they’ll be able to tell right away whether or not you have a problem.

If you are seeing signs of a bed bug infestation and need professional removal, give Pegasus Pest Control a call today!