Why Do Bed Bug Infestations Spread So Easily In Knoxville?
Many people don't know what causes bed bugs, much less why their invasions occur so easily. It's important to understand how and why bed bug infestations happen, so that you can avoid them and know how to react if you do have the bad luck of bringing them home with you. Get the scoop from Knoxville pest control experts on how to identify, prevent, and control bed bugs in your home.
How Can I Tell If I Have Bed Bugs?
If you're unsure whether bed bugs are lurking in your home, check your surfaces and fabrics. Since these insects drink blood from humans and animals, drops of blood may be present. Look out for reddish-brown stains and brown or black fecal smears. Your nose will likely pick up on their musty smells too. Last but not least, having bites on your skin is a dead giveaway. The patches of red and itchy bumps are usually close together.
You may also see the insects themselves. Bed bugs are very small, just ¼ of an inch long. Like all insects, they have six legs and two antennae. They have small heads and proportionally large, round bodies. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, nymphs are translucent, and eggs are small and pearly white.
How Did Bed Bugs Come Into My Home?
Should a bed bug infestation befall your residence, you can assume you or someone else brought them in from another location. These critters frequently crawl about in offices, hotels, nursing homes, and other places where large amounts of people live or congregate. All they will need to do is get into your clothes, shoes, or personal items. For instance, your computer bag or purse. From there, it's smooth sailing to your home to infiltrate the following:
- Upholstery
- Mattresses
- Couches
- Wallpaper
- Electrical sockets
- Appliances
- Wood trim
- Fabrics
- Flooring
- Electronics
Now that you know how bed bugs travel, you can be mindful in busy locations that could be harboring these pests.
Can Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs can certainly take over your space. Once they're inside, they can rapidly spread throughout the rooms of your home. You may also inadvertently bring bed bugs into new locations, such as your workplace or friends' homes. You can't hope that bed bugs will leave or die off on their own, and store-bought pesticides and home remedies won't be successful in eliminating an infestation. Every egg and insect has to be done away with. It's extremely difficult to do on your own; it's best to contact experts for bed bug control in Knoxville.
How Can I Get Bed Bugs Away From My Home For Good?
While professional pest control can eliminate the current bed bug infestation in your home, you could have another infestation in the future. However, prevention measures can be somewhat successful in avoiding bed bug infestations. Try these best practices for preventing bed bugs:
- Don't put your items on the floor or near other people's belongings in public places.
- Ask for a new hotel room if you see signs of bed bugs.
- Use protective covers and plastic bags to contain luggage.
- Launder travel clothes with hot water and high heat.
- Look over mattresses, headboards and footboards, and box springs with a flashlight.
- Routinely examine drawer interiors, clothes, bags, and furniture.
- Inspect second-hand items prior to purchasing them.
At Urbanex, we have safe and powerful bed bug treatments. Options include liquids, aerosols, and dusts. In addition, our knowledgeable technicians will inform you on how to check for bed bugs. Mattress encasements are available for purchase, and we'll install them at no charge. Call today for a free inspection!
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