Finding bites on your family’s skin is troubling, especially in winter when pests like mosquitoes aren’t around. Typically, people ignore these initial signs, hoping they came from something like a house spider, but as the bites continue to show up, it becomes apparent that bed bugs might be the culprits.
Often, people’s first instinct is to search the internet for the best way to get rid of these pests using DIY pest control treatments. But home remedies and store-bought products rarely succeed with these insects and can often make the problem worse. If you suspect bed bugs are in your home, this article is for you.
We’ll start by explaining how to identify bed bug bites so you can differentiate them from other bites. We’ll also explain how and why bed bug invasions continue to worsen the longer they are in your home and why DIY control products can be less than effective. Continue reading to learn how to achieve successful bed bug control in Oklahoma City with the experts from Brandley Pest Control.
How To Tell If It’s Bed Bug Bites
When bed bugs in Oklahoma City bite, they use a mouth part, called a proboscis, to drink blood. You are unlikely to feel the bite because their saliva has anesthetic properties to ensure they can feed as long as they want without detection. That saliva also produces a histamine reaction in your body, making the bites itchy.
Not everyone reacts to bites, but most people will have some symptoms. Individual characteristics of the bite can be different for each person. Here are some tips to help you identify bed bug bites:
- Bed bug bites are usually in clusters of three to five bites that form a zigzag line.
- The bites look light pink or purple on dark skin tones, but on lighter skin tones, they are red.
- Bites can have a dark or clear center, with a lighter swollen area around it.
- Blisters and hives can sometimes surround the bites.
If you need assistance identifying or eliminating the pests in your home, the pros at Brandley Pest Control are here to help.
How And Why Bed Bug Infestations Get Worse With Time
Unfortunately, bed bug infestations don’t go away without intervention, and these are not a pest you want to ignore. The longer these insects are in your home, the worse the problem will become. Adult bed bugs live around ten months; in that short time, a single female will lay up to 541 eggs.
Bed bug nymphs become reproductive adults in around three weeks, and the problem rapidly multiplies. Worse yet, extended exposure to bed bug bites can cause you to become overly sensitive to them, having more extreme reactions over time. Contact us now at Brandley Pest Control for assistance in eliminating these pests from your home before you end up with a severe infestation.
DIY Bed Bug Control Products Can Be Less Than Effective
DIY bed bug control is often the first method homeowners choose, and the internet has plenty of ideas and home remedies that sound like they will work. Unfortunately, these attempts are rarely successful and give the bed bugs more time to increase their populations. Here are some of the problems homeowners encounter while attempting to eliminate these pests on their own:
- Other pests can cause bites similar to bed bugs, and misidentification can lead to treating the wrong pest.
- Many over-the-counter products require direct contact with the bugs, but these insects spend most of their life hiding in tight cracks and crevices.
- Using products like “bug bombs” causes the bed bugs to run and disperse further into the house.
- Bed bugs can develop a resistance to over-the-counter products.
The most efficient and effective way to handle these insects is to contact a company offering bed bug pest control near you. Contact us today at Brandley Pest Control for more information about our bed bug control services.
Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite: Contact The Pros Right Away
The pros at Brandley Pest Control are here to help you eradicate these pests in your home with effective bed bug treatments. We treat your whole house, including behind furniture and inside electrical outlets, to ensure no bed bugs survive. Contact us now to request a quote and reclaim your home from these troublesome pests.