How Can I Tell If It's Bed Bugs In My Home?
If you're wondering if you're dealing with bed bugs in Chicago, there's no doubt they will bite you. They typically bite three times at night, leaving several bites on your skin. However, you may not even realize that bed bugs are biting you.
The itchy red welts that result from a bed bug bite are an allergic reaction. While many people react to them, some are not responsive to this allergen and will not develop bite marks. For others, bed bug bites can result in plentiful tiny bumps in an extensive rash, resembling an allergic reaction. The bites typically worsen over time, and with repeated exposure, you will start to recognize the rash as a potential bed bug problem before they continue to spread. For the majority of people, bed bug bites look similar to other insect bites and often appear in lines or clusters.
Other signs of bed bugs include:
- Dried blood stains on sheets, pillowcases, and other fabrics.
- Black feces or fecal spotting on box springs, mattresses, bedding, bed frames, furniture, outlet covers, baseboards, and crown molding.
- Tiny white eggs in tight spaces, such as inside mattress seams or between your box spring and mattress.
- A faint and unpleasant scent around infested items.
- Shed skins scattered around or tucked in creases, seams, and cracks.
Whether you're wondering if you have a bed bug infestation or you're confident you're dealing with bed bugs, a pest control professional can offer you the effective bed bug detection and control you need.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Bed Bugs In My House?
Bed bugs don't spread diseases or pose a significant medical risk. However, if you're allergic to bed bug saliva, you may develop an extremely itchy rash around the bite site or a more severe allergic reaction after being bitten. Untreated bed bug problems, however, pose the following health concerns for Chicago residents:
- Insomnia
- Secondary infections
- Anemia
- Psychological distress
Don't let bed bugs make you uncomfortable in your own home. Instead, keep them at bay by connecting with a Chicago bed bug control professional today.
How Can I Prevent Bed Bugs From Coming Into My House?
The good news is that there are ways to protect yourself from bringing bed bugs into your home. When traveling, inspect where you'll be sleeping for bed bugs before carrying any luggage inside; this includes the homes of family or friends as well as hotels. Make sure to store all clothing in plastic bags when you travel, whether clean or dirty. Never place your personal belongings, such as bags, luggage, and coats, on the floors of public places. After you return home from traveling, immediately wash and dry all clothing in a high-heat setting. In your home, make sure to maintain a clutter-free and clean house. Bed bugs like to hide in clutter, and regularly vacuuming your home and washing bedding on high heat will help remove stray bed bugs. Lastly, minimize the number of used items you bring into your home, specifically upholstered furniture and mattresses.
How Can I Get Bed Bugs Out Of My Home For Good?
Bed bugs are tricky insects to contend with and are a pest that requires professional pest control services to ensure every egg, nymph, and adult is found and treated. For help getting rid of bed bugs from your Chicago home or business, reach out to the experienced and dedicated professionals at Aerex Pest Control.
Our professionals will thoroughly inspect your home and provide the effective treatment necessary to eliminate the entire infestation and prevent it from coming back. If you are looking for the best bed bug control services in Chicago, reach out to Aerex Pest Control today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Chicago.