Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Creepy, crawly insects biting you in your sleep is not something anyone wants to think about. The fact is bedbug infestations can happen to anyone and they aren’t always directly linked with cleanliness. Bedbugs may be hard to detect, but the most definite way to determine if you have an outbreak of bedbugs is to actually trap one and provide a sample to a qualified pest control technician. Catching a bedbug is not always possible. In fact, you may not realize you have a bedbug outbreak initially, but there are telltale signs you can look out for to help you determine an early outbreak.
One of the most common signs of bedbugs is bites on your body, specifically if the bites occur at night while you sleep. Bedbugs are tiny insects that tend to live on mattresses, box springs, bedding, pillows, and other upholstered furniture. Bedbugs have the ability to travel from one area to another and are easily transported from different locations by hitching a ride on clothing or even in luggage. Bedbugs feed on human blood, which is why they tend to bite more at night while you are sleeping. If you notice you wake up with bug bites that you didn’t have when you went to bed, conduct a visual inspection of your bedding and furniture. Start looking for other signs of bedbugs, such as their fecal matter that is often found along the mattress piping, under the plastic corner protectors of your box spring, or underneath the fitted sheet. Bedbug fecal matter looks like tiny black specs that are heavily concentrated in one area and tend to smear if wiped.
If you are unable to spot signs of bedbugs, consider installing interception devices or active monitors. These devices can easily be installed by one of our trained technicians from AAA Pest and Termite Control. Interception devices are installed at the base of the bed and will capture bedbugs are they begin to travel from one area to another. The interception devices should be regularly monitored over the course of 2-4 weeks. Active monitors are more like an attractant for bedbugs. These monitors lure the bedbugs to the source, resulting in the immediate determination of a bedbug infestation.
There are also mattress and box spring encasements that will trap any bedbugs present inside the mattress or box springs. The encasement will also cause any existing bedbugs to become trapped and die. Although encasements are most effective during the early stages of an infestation, they may also help reduce the chance of a future bedbug outbreak.
If you are still unable to determine whether or not you have bedbugs, consider a consultation with a technician from AAA Pest and Termite Control. One of our qualified technicians can visually inspect your home for traces of bedbugs. Not only can we identify whether or not you have an outbreak, but we can also treat infestations and rid your home of bedbugs entirely. Regular monitoring will help reduce the chances of a future outbreak. Call us today (901) 737-7378 for a consultation. We proudly service the Memphis and Cordova, TN areas.