Over the last few years, bed bug infestations have been on the rise all across Massachusetts. These tiny and invasive bugs are some of the most difficult pests to eliminate.
At American Pest Solutions, we have been providing world-class pest control solutions for over 100 years. Our highly-trained technicians know just what it takes to eliminate bed bugs from your home for good. Keep reading to find out if you should seek the help of a qualified Western Massachusetts pest control specialist to take care of your bed bug problem or if it would be worth it to try a DIY bed bug control option instead.
How To Identify Bed Bugs In Western Massachusetts
Bed bugs are tiny little insects that are only about ¼ of an inch long. They have reddish-brown bodies that are flat and oval-shaped when they have not fed. After they have had their fill of blood, their bodies will swell to look like small, round, and slightly elongated balls.
Even though bed bugs have a distinctive appearance, they will sometimes get mistaken for other bugs, such as a baby cockroach or some type of small beetle. Some of the signs that you can look for to determine whether or not you are dealing with bed bugs include:
- Seeing rust-colored spots or smear marks around your mattress, box springs, and other hard-to-reach areas of your home
- Small, white, oval-shaped bed bug eggs that look like grains of rice, under your mattress or hidden in the crevices of your furniture
- A wet, musty odor that smells like old, damp clothes
When a bed bug bites you, it will usually bite several times around the same area. If you wake up and you notice a cluster of itchy bug bites on your skin, your home should be inspected for bed bugs.
Is It Dangerous To Have Bed Bugs In My House?
Bed bugs are not known to carry or spread any diseases to humans or our pets. However, that does not necessarily mean that they are completely harmless.
Bed bugs can cause a lot of stress for homeowners. As long as they are allowed to live in your home, they will continue to leave irritating bite marks on your skin every day. Bed bug bites can become so itchy that many people end up losing sleep or developing a skin infection from excessive scratching. Bed bugs will also leave their fecal matter all over your home, which could cause allergic reactions in some people.
Why Do-It-Yourself Bed Bug Control Often Fails
Believe it or not, bed bugs have been around for over 3,000 years. Throughout the centuries, civilizations have tried to figure out a way to completely eradicate these bugs from the world, but we haven't had much luck.
One of the reasons why DIY bed bug control doesn't work is that these bugs do not respond the same way to pesticides as other insects do. Most of the insect control chemicals that you can buy in stores are not formulated correctly to kill bed bugs.
The bed bug's small size is another reason why DIY bed bug control rarely works. Because they are so tiny, they are able to hide in small crevices that many people don't think to treat or can't access.
Why It Is Best To Contact The Bed Bug Professionals
If you want to eliminate bed bugs from your Western Massachusetts property, American Pest Solutions can help! We have the experience and the tools to get rid of the bed bugs in your home and keep them from coming back in the future. Reach out today to get started on our effective bed bug control services in Western Massachusetts.