10 Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in Your Home and How to Get Rid of Them
Bed bugs are creepy creatures that deprive us of sleep and comfort. They are tiny but smart, and they reproduce quickly, making them difficult to control. With a lifespan of about a year, a healthy female bed bug lays around 500 eggs throughout her life.
Bed bugs also have a secretive behavior making them hard to get rid of. They are active at night, and their flat bodies help them fit into small cracks and crevices during the day. To get rid of bed bugs, you first need to identify them. Below are the ten signs of a bed bug infestation in your home.
You Have Red, Itchy Spots on Your Body
If you notice some red itchy spots the next day you wake up, chances are something might have bitten you overnight. Bed bug bites are small and red; most people react to them with an itchy sensation.
It’s worth noting that you are less likely to wake up or feel irritation after a bed bug bite. The reason is that when they bite, they inject an anesthetic into your body, preventing you from feeling it. Often, they will target the soft parts closer to blood vessels, such as the neck, legs, hands, and arms.
There’s a Live Bed Bug Roaming Around
If there are bed bugs in your home, some will eventually show up. If you spot a live bed bug crawling on your mattress, couch, bedsheet, or even in your vehicle seat, it’s time to stay vigilant. While bed bugs will show up often when it’s lightly dark, it’s no surprise to catch one crawling around in broad daylight.
Exoskeleton Deposits in Cracks and Crevices 
Bed Bugs shed their outer skins once a week, i.e., five times before reaching maturity. If you notice any exoskeletons in your carpet, vehicle, or bed, it’s a sign that your home is infested with bed bugs.
Unpleasant and Musty Odors
Bed bugs produce powerful pheromones, especially if they are crowded or disturbed. Odors may also result from bed bug fecal material.
Blood Stains on Clothes
At times, you might unconsciously squash the bed bug while it’s feeding on your blood. The squashing will lead to blood spots on your sleeping apparel, and often, you’ll still notice the strong and offensive smell. Since some people aren’t reactive to bed bug bites and might not develop the red itchy spots, blood spots on clothes or pillowcases can be a vital sign of bed bug infestation.
Tiny White Spots in Crevices
If you notice some tiny white spots in joints and cracks or crevices, these could be the eggs waiting to hatch in 6 to 10 days. Bed Bugs prefer to lay their eggs in hidden areas that are safe from disruption and potential harm.
Rusty-Colored Spots on Sheets, Carpets, or Fabrics
Bed Bugs leave fecal stains in areas they assemble or walk-in numbers. These spots could be fecal matter, and you need to check them for the unpleasant smell. The dark rusty-colored spots are often deposited on fabrics, linens, and textiles.
You’ve Noticed Eggs and Bed Bug Shells
Bed bug eggs can be anywhere from crevices to hidden shells somewhere in your clothes, carpets, or bedding. The shells might seem old, and you may be tempted to assume they have relocated; however, you don’t want to leave any stone unturned.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation: Uncomfortable Nights
Bed bug bites might not be painful, but their movement from the arms to the neck, face, shoulders, and legs will probably result in a feeling of discomfort. If you’ve been struggling with uncomfortable nights and have possibly noticed a few other signs in this list, you should be on alert.
Your Close Friends Have Mentioned Bed Bug Issues
While this isn’t a sufficient reason to get upset and go around looking for bed bugs in your home, you want to understand that bed bugs spread from one person and location to another. Sitting on a friend’s couch that’s bed bug-infested could give these creatures the chance to sneak into your handbag or maybe your clothes.
So the next time you wake up with red, itchy spots and you’ve heard your friends complaining of bed bugs, you don’t want to rule out the potential that one or two-bed bugs have traveled to your home.
Getting Rid of bed bugs in Home 
How you will get rid of bed bugs in your home depends on the infestation level. After identifying all the infested areas, the next step is to weigh if regular cleaning and thorough vacuuming will help control the population.
Some people would treat the infested clothes, fabrics, bedding, etc., with insecticides, plant oil-based products, and even hot water. While some of these methods are highly effective, you are never sure whether you’ve exhausted these bed bugs from their hiding and breeding grounds.
If you aren’t confident going DIY, a rule of thumb is to seek professional bed bug control services to help you with the heavy lifting. Here, you don’t have to worry about doing it wrong or risking a resurgence of bed bugs since some might have become resistant to the typical insecticides.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation: Closing
When it comes to bed bug control and treatment, you don’t want to leave anything to chance. These creatures can ruin your reputation and even worse, devalue your home or property. If you are sure that the infestation is minor and are confident enough with your bed bug control skills, you are good to go DIY. Otherwise, you don’t want to rely on your untrained hands when dealing with a bed bug mess.
