Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals while they are sleeping. They infest homes, apartments, hotels, cruise ships, dorms and shelters, and have become an epidemic throughout Michigan. Bed bugs live within 8 feet of where people sleep; in mattress seams, headboards, box springs, bed frames, or any cracks and crevices near the bed. They hide during the day but can travel up to 100 feet at night.
One of the easiest ways to tell if you have a bed bug infestation is the presence of bites. This are commonly found on the face, neck, arms, after sleeping. The bite marks are similar to those of flea or mosquito bites – small, itchy, red areas on the skin. The intense itching sensation is a result of an allergic reaction to the insect’s saliva. Bed bugs move to non-infested homes on furniture, bedding, in luggage or packed clothing, and especially when individuals travel often or move homes frequently.
Identifying an Infestation
Bed bugs are hard to identify on your own since their bites look so similar to those of other insects. To identify a bed bug infestation, we recommend checking around the bed frame and mattress for physical signs of the pests. You may see live bed bugs, rusty or reddish stains on sheets or pillow cases, skins that nymphs shed as the grow larger, or dark spots that are actually bug excrement.
Bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread diseases, however they can cause other health problems. It’s extremely important to have these pests exterminated by a professional to prevent any further issues. Hogarth’s Pest Control specializes in Bed Bug removal and can take care of any pest issues you may be dealing with. If you think you may have bed bugs, or any other pest for that matter, give us a call at (231) 264-6060 or (800) 264-6161 and we can get it taken care of for you!