Have you ever been pulled from a dream by your alarm clock ringing? It sometimes takes a minute for your brain to register that there’s a noise trying to intrude your sleep. When you finally somewhat subconsciously become aware of the sound, your brain automatically triggers your hand into action – without even telling your eyes about it!
Your hand will reach across that pillow you’ve been hugging all night and slap the ‘snooze’ button and your eyes and your conscious self doesn’t even know about it! In fact, some people have been known to slap that ‘snooze’ button several times before the conscious mind is even aware. Funny how our brains can control us like that! You may be asking, however, exactly what your brain in ‘off’ mode has to do with the difference between bed bug bites and mosquito bites.
Well, it’s really quite simple. One of the first signs that that puffy, red welt on your body is, in fact, a bed bug bite is that you don’t remember being bitten. When you are asleep, your brain doesn’t always clue your conscious mind into the action around you. Bed bugs always bite you at night while you are sleeping. They are nocturnal.
Typically, when mosquitoes bite, you are awake and well aware of their pinch. Another difference between these two bites is that bed bugs tend to feed several times in the same area, therefore, you may notice 3 or 4 bites close together either in a line or a small group. Mosquitoes generally only take one stab at you (pun intended). Lastly, bed bug bites are often accompanied by a rash around the bites whereas mosquito bites generally do not.
The truth is, you may have some difficulty determining the source of those itchy bites, but with a little investigation you can find out. After considering the differences mentioned above, if you suspect that your welts are the work of bed bugs, you should immediately don your Sherlock Holmes hat and pull out your magnifying glass.
The next step is to inspect your bed and any other furniture you have for signs of dried brown blood stains, black fecal matter, or shed casings. Make sure to inspect the seams and tags particularly well.
If you check behind wall hangings and in the screw holes on your bed you may actually find some bugs. Also, be sure to check all your electrical outlets for black streaking running out of them. Any of these signs are an indication that you have a bed bug infestation.
So, you’ve passed you Sherlock exam and found signs of bed bugs in your home. The next step, while you are frantically trying to shake the heebie jeebie’s, is to seek professional help. A bed bug infestation is not typically eradicated by those DIY products because they don’t reach deep enough into your home and because those little nocturnal creatures are great at hide n’ seek.
Here at Moyer Pest, we have the training and experience to discreetly and effectively eliminate bed bugs – and we can help you keep them from coming back. If you have discovered, or think you may have bed bugs, give us a call or complete the form below… We will be happy to discuss the plan of treatment that is best for you. You will be glad you did.