Since the early 2000s, bed bug infestations have become more common in the United States. The biggest problem with these pests is that they are hard to identify.

Bed bugs can live for a long time without food and water. They are also small enough to fit inside tiny crevices.

Without knowing the early warning signs of having bed bugs, you may run into an infestation problem in your home. Read on to learn exactly what those signs are so you can call bed bug control services right away.

Itchy Red Bites

One of the first signs you need to hire a bed bug control company is if you feel or see itchy red bites on your skin. These bumps may be raised and can appear in clusters on the body.

These bumps may be painless at first before becoming itchy.

Typically, you'll see them on areas of the body that are exposed while you sleep. Depending on what you wear to bed, you may find them on your wrists, hands, neck, and back.

Although this is one of the most prominent early warning signs of bed bugs, these bites may be hard to differentiate from other bug bites. They may look similar to mite or flea bites.

To combat the issue of misdiagnoses, see a doctor about the bites. They should be able to identify the bites for you and provide you with itch medication or cream that actually works.

It's best to identify the problem as soon as possible to prevent an infestation from occurring.

Small Blood Marks

Like mosquitos, bed bugs are bloodsuckers that solely live off of blood. This is one way they may leave their evidence behind. We don't just mean the bumps and marks you find on your skin.

Because bed bugs stay in your furniture, you may have crushed some of them without realizing it. This could cause small blood marks to appear on surfaces.

If you ever see small blood marks on your clothes, bedding, or furnishings, it's a sure sign of bed bugs.

Bloodstains may not always be bright red. Because the blood these pests suck has been digested, it may be a rust color, dark brown, or black. This can be misleading for those who only search for small red marks.

Shells and Skins and Eggs, Oh My!

You should hire residential pest control services if you find shells, skins, or eggs around your home. This is just another piece of evidence that bed bugs may leave behind.

As bed bugs grow, they shed their skin. You'll notice that it is yellow colored and small. Eggs will often look like sticky clusters but are hard to spot because they are a clear color.

The shells and eggs of a bed bug are tiny as well. Look very closely if you want to spot any of these things. Over time, it may become more obvious that you have an infestation because this evidence will accumulate.

It won't take long for bed bug shells and molds to accumulate in your home as they shed their exoskeletons up to five times in their complete lifetime.

It's common to find shells, skins, and eggs in the same location. As soon as you identify any of these in your home, hire general pest control services.

Musty Smell

There are some instances where you won't see a physical sign of bed bugs but know they are there anyway. Although you should always look for visual evidence, note when you smell something funky.

When there is an infestation of bed bugs, they will start producing pheromones that smell unpleasant and very strong.

If you don't know what a musty smell is like, this is the best way we can describe it; dank, nasty, and worse than dirty laundry. Check the area where you sense the strongest smell, don't ignore it!

Bugs in Your Bed

The most obvious sign you need bed bug treatment is when you see physical bed bugs in your bed or on other surfaces. If any of the above signs correlate to you, your bed should be the first place you look for an infestation.

It's gross to think about, but even more gross to continue living with them. Pull your sheets off of the bed, check your mattress, and look around the bed frame.

If you have books, telephones, or radios near your bed, check those too. Bug beds can also hide in carpets and electrical outlets.

If you find them on or around your bed, check other places in your home as well. A bed is the initial hiding place where bed bugs may stay because it gives them easy access to bite people during the night.

Over time, they will scatter to other places in the home. The worst-case scenario is that you have bed bugs all over your home.

Common places you may find bed bugs include blinds, curtains, upholstered sofas, underneath wallpaper, etc. They may also hide in any cracks or crevices around the home.

As an added safety precaution, check your closet. It is common for bed bugs to attach to clothing.

To get a good idea of how small bed bugs are, know that you can find them anywhere that is the same width as a credit card. They are flat and around the same size as an apple seed. Yes, that small!

Early Signs You Need Bed Bug Control

Although small, bed bugs can quickly infiltrate your home and cause a major infestation. If you are dealing with any of the above issues, it will be more than worth it to call a bed bug control service.

Without the help of professionals, bed bugs will be hard to get rid of.

Our pest control services include experts that know how to deal with a variety of issues, including bed bugs. Contact us today for all of your pest control needs.