Sioux Falls Homeowners' Complete Guide To Total Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs are an unsettling pest to discover in your home and are difficult to get rid of. It's important to become familiar with these pests and how they get into homes so you can protect your family and property. Keep reading to learn about bed bugs, the signs of an infestation and when pest control in Sioux Falls is helpful!

What Bed Bugs Look Like

Bed bugs are flat, oval-shaped insects with six legs and two antennae. Unfed adults are a dark brown color, and they become more of a reddish-brown after a blood meal. Fully grown bed bugs are roughly a quarter of an inch in size. Nymphs are significantly smaller in size and are clear or colorless. Although bed bugs cannot fly, they do have a set of "wing pads" on their backs.

Bed bugs are known as expert travelers and hitch rides on unsuspecting hosts. Some of the most common ways bed bugs get into people's homes is by hiding in luggage. These insects will climb into bags while passengers are riding on public transportation, like buses and trains. They are also found in airports and on airplanes. Hotels also are notorious for bed bug issues, so avoid placing your luggage on the ground during your stay. If you suspect you've brought bed bugs home with you after traveling, it might be time to contact a bed bug pest control company near you.

The Symptoms Of A Bed Bug Infestation

One of the telltale signs of a bed bug infestation is discovering bite marks on your body. Bed bugs stay hidden during the day but feed on their hosts at night while sleeping. Their bite marks look like tiny red dots, and you will often find them grouped in a linear pattern. Bed bug bites usually don't hurt while the bug is feeding and often go completely undetected. The bite will eventually begin to itch, which is when most people notice they're there. Although bed bugs aren't known to carry and spread diseases, their bites are unsightly and cause a great deal of anxiety.

In addition to bed bug bites, here are some other signs you may have an infestation:

• Spotting live bugs crawling around your home
• Shed body parts or molted skins
• Unusual musty odor
• Bloodstains on sheets, pillows, and linens
• Fecal stains that look like dark smears on clothing and bedding
• Pinhead sized, white eggs, commonly found in the seams of furniture and mattresses

Contact a Sioux Falls pest control company specializing in bed bug control, like Olson's Pest Technicians, at the first sign of bed bugs in your home.

Why It's Impossible To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs On Your Own

Bed bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of without the help of an exterminator. They have a rapid reproductive cycle, with female bugs laying at least one egg per day. This may not seem like much, but with several active adult bugs, an infestation can grow exponentially in a short amount of time. If you're only addressing the adult insects without treating the entire life cycle, bed bugs will continue to multiply, causing serious frustration.

Because they can go for several days without feeding, bed bugs often remain hidden. Without the need to constantly feed, they can easily spread to every corner of your home, making it close to impossible to catch them all. Most do-it-yourself methods of eradicating these pests are a waste of time and money. Save yourself the trouble and work with a pest control company to kill bed bugs instead.

Call The Pros At The First Sign Of Bed Bugs In Your Home

Don't let bed bugs keep you up at night. Olson's Pest Technicians has been keeping the local community pest-free for over 50 years. We'll work closely with you to come up with a custom solution to get rid of the bed bugs in your home and prevent them from returning. To learn more about our home pest control services, give us a call today.