Here is how to check for bed bugs at home and in hotel rooms, looking out for signs that give them away from where they hide.
I Think I Have Bed Bugs: Investigate
It’s not so easy for bed bugs to be spotted. These pests won’t readily show up either, due to the benefits of staying anonymous. As such, catching bed bugs early would need these proven strategies.
There would hardly be problems if bed bugs don’t bite but we know that’s impossible.
Human blood is irresistible to bed bugs, and so the only way to fight back is by finding and exterminating them as soon as possible.
How To Find Bed Bugs [Testing Options]
Bed bug inspection needs to be thorough. It doesn’t matter who is doing the job. The goal is to find areas mostly used by these bugs for cover.
Hiding spots are never in short supply and so we’ll help with all the information you need when checking for signs of their presence.
Suspecting the presence of bed bugs will only remain that; a suspicion until action is taken.
You must also know that bed bug control will be very difficult without the knowledge of where they are.
So how do you check for bed bugs? Let’s go into the facts.
How To Look For Bed Bugs in Private and Commercial Spaces
Bed bugs are likely to be found in just about anywhere humans are. This includes private and commercial spaces. By this, we mean homes and places of business such as hotels.
Our discussion will center on checking for bed bugs in homes, as well as in hotels.
We all know hotels aren’t the only commercial areas, but this is included due to its notoriety as a place where bed bug problems originate from.
How To Check For Bed Bugs at Home
Bed bugs are known to hitch a ride on your clothing or luggage from a place of origin.
The ultimate destination in most cases is your home. When you arrive, they disembark and find the most suitable hiding spots to launch their activities.
The most common areas include your bed, couch, and anywhere else that guarantees warmth and food (blood).
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Tools Needed To Check For Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can’t be searched out without the right tools. Tools help simplify the process and also give you better access to hiding locations.
A flashlight is indispensable when checking for bed bugs. Other basic tools include a magnifying glass for easy identification of nymphs and eggs, as well as a nail file. If you can’t find a nail file, try using your credit card.
A nail file or credit card is necessary to pry into tight spaces or cracks. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t. These bugs have flat tiny bodies that fit into just about any space, no matter how tight.
A screwdriver might be handy in loosening electrical fittings for checks too. All of the tools mentioned are necessary for thorough visual checks. However, this can be a time-consuming procedure and tiring process too.
Specialized bed bug checking tools exist and will cost you more. Nevertheless, they get the job done faster and more effectively.
There are also trained dogs that are used to accurately sniff out bed bugs.
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Where To Check For Bed Bugs
Your bed and couch area are bed bug hot spots. In other words, these are places bed bugs are likely to congregate and will venture out to new areas of your home.
The reason is simple.
You are likely to spend most of your time around your bed or couch area. Bed bugs love to feed when you’re most likely to be static with less movement.
You should also check anywhere within 6 to 8 feet of your bed and couch area.
The most common hideouts for bed bugs include mattresses, headboards, bed frames, and board springs. Others are wall sockets, dressers, nightstands, furniture joints, beneath or behind loose wallpapers, and room corners.
You should also check your curtains and drapes; ceiling corners, carpets, and baseboard edges. Your entire bedding must be thoroughly checked as well. These, and areas close to your bed and couch areas must undergo careful and detailed checks.
How To Test For Bed Bugs in Couches
There are key signs to look out for when inspecting your couches.
These signs include watching out for bed bugs. These bloodsuckers will hide along folds, couch seams, and any depression or tight spots they come across. This is in addition to the tight spaces between cushions and couch frames.
Other signs to look out for including dark spots from bed bug excrement, bloodstains, and eggshells which appear pale yellow. You’ll need a torch to identify and distinguish these signs clearly.
How to Check Hotel Rooms For Bed Bugs
Here is how to tell if a hotel has bed bugs.
Hotels provide a vital service. Nevertheless, their rooms can easily become breeding spots for bed bugs.
Negligence can also serve to worsen infestation. Now, imagine checking out of an infested hotel after your stay with new uninvited “visitors” who tag along.
Don’t get confused, that’s what bed bugs do all the time. Bed bugs will always hike a ride by latching onto clothing or your luggage.
What happens after is better imagined than experienced.
However, this transfer doesn’t have to happen. There are ways to quickly check for bed bug presence in a hotel room. You won’t have to bear the risks involved in spending the night in an infested area any longer.
On getting into your room, first, exclude your luggage by putting it on a rack.
Your new bedding should be your first port of call. These must be thoroughly investigated. One way to do this is by taking off or pulling back the sheets and blankets.
You’d also need a torch to check for bed bugs properly.
During the visual observation, you should look out for signs such as adult bugs, nymphs, eggs, as well as their shed exoskeletons.
Also, consider checking around and between furniture too.
What To Do When You Find Tell-Tale Signs
You can never be certain about bed bug absence from your hotel room.
When you do find tell-tale signs, the best step to take would be to find or make alternative lodging arrangements. In other words, you can find other hotels close by.
Changing a room in the same facility won’t guarantee the absence of bed bugs, so you need to demand hotel bed bug compensation.
However, wherever you lodge, the same procedure should be carried out. This way, you greatly reduce the chances of unknowingly bringing these bugs home.
A nail file or credit card, as well as a torch, are handy tools for such examination.
Testing For Bed Bugs: Conclusion
The steps above are some of the most effective strategies to search out for bed bugs. Doing it yourself can be a bit difficult. However, it is worth the effort.
If checking for bed bugs yourself isn’t your thing, a pest technician will readily help out.
Checking for bed bugs may come at a cost or may be provided free of charge. It all depends on who you call for the service.