How to Inspect for Bedbugs

By Renee Garcia

Do you know when to start inspecting for bedbugs?

If you get sleepless nights and observe bite marks in the morning, you must first determine what is causing the bite marks. Bedbug bites are like mosquito bites because these are pink to red in color.

Bedbug bites can either be raised or flat and these usually have a pattern. For example, you will find 4 or more bites in a row. When a bedbug is disturbed during feeding, it usually moves a bit farther from its initial position, causing the pattern.

The bedbug bites also cause itching and burning. Although the bites do not cause any disease, the itching and burning can bring discomfort. For treatment, topical corticosteroids are the most effective. These relieve the burning and itching as well as make the bite marks disappear.

Systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines have also been used for treatment. But these drugs only address the itching and burning.

Now that you have established that the bite marks were caused by bedbugs, you must start checking for the insects. Observe when and where the bite marks usually appear. If these usually appear after sleeping on your bed, check the mattress first. Look for cracks as these can be the entry points of bedbugs. Red and brown spots also mean a bedbug infestation. The red spots are from blood of crushed bedbugs. The brown spots are the bedbugs feces.

After checking the mattress, also inspect other areas of the room like carpets, walls, bedposts, furniture, dressers, drawers, and others. Again, look for cracks as these are where bedbugs usually live.

Now that you have identified the area of infestation as well as the specific infested furnitures, you must make sure that nothing will come out and into the room. Bedbugs can travel easily through furniture, linens, and even shoelaces. After identifying the area of infestation, getting rid of the insects must be done as soon as possible. - 30195

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