Flea bites, but no fleas? Maybe it’s Bedbugs
This is prime bed bug season, and their bites can look like flea bites. The holiday season is one of the most active times for bed bug infestation. They generally become noticeable in January or February once their populations expand.
Why the Holidays?
Bed bug populations spread around the world due to the movement of man. We carry them with us from one point to the next. While transportation is usually accidental, it is why bed bugs are such a large-scale pest. Everywhere where humans stay has the potential for bed bugs.
During the holidays, we travel. We go home. We go to see friends. We fly to new destinations, travel by train, rent cars, have parties, go to parties, and enjoy fine restaurants. All that movement means bed bugs have a free ride to new homes.
Out of town company – even your parents – might bring an uninvited guest or two. Bed bugs are everywhere except for Antarctica. Beyond the biting, what makes bed bugs disgusting is that they are parasites of humans. They may, if desperate, bite a pet, but make no mistake; they want your blood. They are exclusively human blood drinkers.
How Do You Know if There Are Bed Bugs in Your House?
One of the first signs is biting. It is as though you’ve gone to sleep, and a mosquito was in the room. When you wake up, there are bites. Even if the dog has fleas, these bites usually itch. That is because when the bed bug bites you, they use an anticoagulant. After all, they want the blood to flow not to clot. It is the anticoagulant that causes the bites to itch.
Sometimes, you can find the bed bugs. They are very shy bugs, but they may hunker down in your bed or between the mattresses. They are small, tan, and not very attractive. They come out only at night, which is how they got their names. They attack when people are asleep in their beds.
Another clue is that the bed sheets have tiny bloodstains on them. This is, of course, from your blood and the bite sites. Because they use an anticoagulant, the blood flows and then eventually stops. That leads to bloodstains on the sheets.
Where Do You Find Bed Bugs?
Oh, bed bugs are everywhere. One of the most common spots to find them is at hotels or inns, motels, AirBnBs, etc. They are most anyplace humans sleep. However, not exclusively. You can find bed bugs on planes, trains, cars, the subway, etc. In general, you see them where a lot of people travel or in areas where people use transportation to travel.
Not sure if your home has bed bugs? Give us a call. We are happy to answer your questions or schedule a service call. Home inspections for bed bugs are fast and affordable. We supply pest control services throughout the Bryan and College Station communities. Our services deal with home pests, such as bed bugs and commercial pests, such as rodents, ants, and scorpions.
