How To Do A Proper Bed Bug Inspection

It’s no secret that bed bugs are extremely hard to find—not to mention one of the most difficult pests on the planet to get rid of. If you don’t spot these annoying little nightcrawlers early on, you could wind up with a massive infestation that is going to wreak havoc on your home or business, costing you headaches and serious cash down the line.

When it comes to dealing with bed bugs, your first line of defence is always prevention but if you think you have bed bugs then learn how to do a proper bed bug inspection Vancouver?

What’s the Lowdown on Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flat, nocturnal insects that grow to about the size of an apple seed. They are usually brown in colour unless they have been feasting on you all night, in which case they will take on a more reddish shade.

Bed bugs aren’t dumb. These crafty creatures want to be as close to their food (you) as possible. So, as their name suggests, expect to find them hanging out in mattresses, bedding, and box springs. But don’t underestimate these opportunistic creepy-crawlies, as bed bugs can also be found living in walls, sofas, furniture, frames, clothing, bags, purses, and even electrical devices.

Bed Bug Inspection Can’t Be That Hard, Can It?

Ask any unfortunate soul who has ever had to deal with these revolting insects—detecting bed bugs is no easy task. Because bed bugs are sneaky little buggers, they’ll hide in just about any crack or crevice, making it almost impossible to zero in on them without x-ray vision.

Believe it or not, you can have an infestation right under your nose and not even know it. So if you can’t outright see bed bugs, how will you really know, like really, really know, if you have a bed bug problem? Fortunately, there are a few telling signs to help point you on the right bed bug inspection path.

Bed Bug Sign # 1: Bites

Woke up covered in unexplainable red marks? You could have bedbugs. One of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation is bites. Bed bug bites show up in rows or clusters and look like flat or raised red welts. Bite marks tend to appear on the arms, shoulders, neck, and face—commonly exposed areas of the body that bed bugs can easily reach. Bed bug bites could look like this image.

Although, not everyone responds the same way to bed bug bites. In some cases, people may have no visible reaction at all. If you have been bitten, there is no need to panic. Bed bug doesn’t spread diseases but their bites can be itchy. If you develop an allergic reaction like rashes, hives, or blisters, you probably should pay a visit to your doctor.

Bed Bug Sign#2: Blood Stains

Another tell-tale sign of an infestation that many people tend to overlook is bed bug blood stains. These tiny reddish or rusty-coloured stains or smears normally happen when you move or roll over and squash a recently fed bedbug during your sleep. So, if you wake up covered in bed bug bites and your sheets are littered with bed bug blood stains, it’s a pretty clear indication you’ve got an infestation on your hands.

Bed Bug Sign #3: Feces

We hate to be the bearers of bad news (especially when it’s of the disgusting variety), but blood stains aren’t the only visible signs leftover by bug bugs. Have you discovered dark or black stains on your sheets? Well, if you haven’t already figured it out, that’s dried bed bug feces.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, bed sheets are just one of the places you’ll find bed bug fecal matter. You’ll need to check along the mattress seams, the edges, and corners of box springs, and areas in and around the headboard. You’ll also want to inspect any furniture near your bed, including nightstands and dressers. Make sure to examine the cracks and corners of drawers for signs of bed bug feces.

Bed Bug Sign #4: Eggs

Creeped out enough yet? Sorry, but we have a bit more nastiness to add to your bed bug inspection chores. Another sure-fire sign of a bed bug infestation is the presence of bed bug eggs and empty shells. And believe us, they’ll be no shortage of them. A single female can lay over 5 eggs a day—that’s an astounding 500 eggs before she kicks the bucket.

Bed bug eggs are tiny and range from translucent to white in colour. Similar in shape to a grain of rice, the eggs, and the empty shells are minuscule (around 1 mm). So tracking them down is going to take a little detective work and perhaps even a magnifying glass. When it comes to hunting down bed bug eggs, you can’t be thorough enough. Be sure to inspect even the tiniest nooks and crannies.

Bed Bug Sign #5: Shells

If you have a bed bug infestation, you may also come across bed bug shells. As young bed bugs (nymphs) grow, they will shed the skin, leaving behind a clear, empty exoskeleton. They do this a total of 5 times before reaching maturity. That’s a ton a shed skin, so there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find some when you’re searching for bed bugs.

How to Look For Bed Bugs

Now that you know what signs to look for, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, grab a flashlight, and get down to business. Here are some quick-and-easy steps to help you track down these pesky parasites before they have a chance to take over your home or business.

Search for signs of bed bugs on the sheets, in the seams of the mattress, between the mattress and the box spring, by the headboard, and on the carpet under the bed. Also, remember to pull the bed away from the wall and check the backside too.

Check any furniture near your bed. Examine and empty your nightstands and dressers, making sure to carefully inspect all cracks and corners. Remember to pull out the drawers and search the bottom and undersides of them. You’ll also want to check underneath the furniture for signs of bed bugs.

Bed bugs will hide just about anywhere, so you’ll have to be as thorough as possible when looking for them. Look in and around picture frames and lighting fixtures—they make great hangout spots for bed bugs.

Next, you’ll want to look over the items in your room. If you do have a bed bug infestation, it is vital to contain the problem. So, inspect and treat your items first before removing them from your room. The last thing you want is to spread them into other areas of your home.

Take out all your clothing from your dressers and closets, remove your bedding, and take down your curtains and stuff everything into large garbage bags. Once you’re done, securely tie off the bags before you take them out of your room.

Now that all your items are safe and sound, cart the trash bags to your laundry room. Put the bags into the dryer and open them. Carefully empty the bags, paying attention to the floor below you. If a bed bug does escape, you’ll want to be able to spot it immediately.

Adjust your dryer to the hottest setting and let in run for at least 2 hours. That should be enough time to kill off any bed bugs. Make sure to toss out the empty trash bags in an outside dumpster.

When the dryer cycle is over, spread out a white sheet on the floor or bed. One at a time, remove each item and shake it over the sheet before placing it down. Using a magnifying glass and a flashlight, carefully inspect each item for the presence or any sign of bed bugs.

If you do find bed bugs (or signs of bed bugs), put your items into heavy-duty trash bags, seal them up, and take them to an outside trash container.

If you found signs of bed bugs in your bedroom, you’ll also need to turn your attention to all the rooms in your house. Bed bugs like to travel. So, if you have bed bugs in one room, it’s fair to assume they could be creeping around other rooms too.

If you think this sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. Bed bug inspection is a necessary evil that should not be taken lightly. Just one of these nasty pests is enough to start a full-blown infestation, costing you time, money, and many sleepless nights. When it comes to winning the war on bed bugs, the best option is to contact a professional pest control company. These specialists have the training, tools, and experience to find them, properly identify them, and get rid of them—fast!

Here at Solutions Pest Control, we take bed bug inspection very seriously. Our inspection technicians know exactly where to look and how to identify them immediately. If bed bugs are found, we will begin treatments on the spot, returning as many times as necessary to rid your home of nasty insects once and for all. We do pest control north Vancouver and pest control West Vancouver too.

For more information about our Bed Bug Treatment services, contact us toll-free at 1-855-858-9776.