If you haven’t heard over the past several years, bed bugs are making a huge comeback in the residential market. Some people contribute this to global warming, while others admit they really can’t explain the phenomenon. Whatever the truth is, any homeowner looking to protect their home needs to be armed with as much information about bed bugs as possible. Having a keen knowledge on these parasites will not only help you fight them, but it will also help you, when it comes time to hire the best bed bug exterminator in Baltimore. Below, you will learn important facts and information about bed bugs.
What Exactly Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small insects that average to be around the size of an apple seed. They are famously known for hitchhiking rides on pets and humans, as well as feeding on their blood. They are flat oval-shaped insects with a brownish texture and their color actually grows darker after feeding. They do not fly or jump, but they are notoriously fast crawlers. These critters can make their way across the floor, wall, or ceilings of a home or office building, just as fast as any ant. A fully grown female will lay one to two eggs per day in a secluded spot, which can result to hundreds of bed bugs over a lifetime. Bed bugs do shed skin when they grow, so this is something to look out for, if you think you think your home is infested.
How Do Bed Bugs Feed?
Most of the time, bed bugs feed during the night hours. However, if they are extremely famished they will come out during the daytime hours. Once they pierce the skin their saliva causes the bite mark to become numb leaving the human unaware of the bite. Once they have pierced the skin, they suck out the blood almost in the same manner as that of a mosquito. Typically, a bed bug will only bite on exposed skin when you are sleeping. For instance, if your neck or legs are not covered up this is the ideal feeding spots for these critters.
What To Do If You Suspect An Infestation
The only way you can be sure that you are suffering from an infestation is to capture one of these little critters, which can prove more difficult than expected. Some people don’t even react to bed bugs bites, so they might not even not they are being bitten during the night. Your best bet is always to consult the best bed bug exterminator in Baltimore, because dealing with the matter alone may only further spread the infestation.