Bed Bug Bites What Everyone In Virginia Beach Ought To Know

If you're waking up with itchy, red bites, you may be dealing with a bed bug infestation. It is likely that you're also dealing with many questions. What are bed bugs? How do I know these bites are from bed bugs? And how do I get rid of bed bugs in my home? We're going to dig in and explore these questions today. We'll tell you how to tell bed bug bites from other insect bites, and we'll provide you with essential information to help you diagnose your pest control problem so you can decide what to do about those pests. If you need help, remember that we're here for you. Hawk Mosquito & Pest offers advanced solutions for pest control in Virginia Beach. We're the company to call for the best bed bug pest control near you. Our technicians have the training and experience to address even the most complicated bed bug infestations. Jump to our contact page for assistance.

How To Tell If It's Bed Bug Bites

You wake up with a rash and lots of tiny bumps. As the day goes on, the little bumps grow and become itchy. Are they bed bug bites or bites from some other pest? There are lots of bugs that bite us in Virginia Beach. If you suspect you've been bitten by bed bugs, there are a few key things to look for:

• Multiple bites in a straight line or zigzag pattern on your skin
• Multiple bites that look like a path across your skin
• Small red, swollen bumps that may appear in clusters or lines
• Itching or a burning sensation around the bites
• Your bites are found on skin that was exposed during the night, such as your hands, arms, neck, or face.

It's important that you know that not all people react to bed bug bites in the same way. Some may not have any visible reaction at all, while others may develop more severe symptoms. If you're unsure whether your bites are from bed bugs, it's best to consult with a pest control professional for an inspection and proper identification. If you're in Virginia Beach, we can guide you over the phone or by providing a service visit.

Why Bed Bugs Like To Bite Sleeping People

When considering what to do about bed bugs, it is helpful to understand where they are likely hiding in your home. Your bed is an ideal place to check first, but it is far from the only place bed bugs may hide. We'll discuss those other places in a moment. First, let's look at what attracts bed bugs to sleeping people.

Bed bugs are drawn to carbon dioxide and warmth that humans give off, making sleeping people the perfect target for their bites. How does it work? Here are some examples:

• Carbon dioxide: When we sleep, we exhale more carbon dioxide than when we're awake. Bed bugs are highly sensitive to carbon dioxide and can detect it from a distance of up to 100 feet.
• Heat: Our body heat also attracts bed bugs. When we're sleeping, our body temperature rises slightly, which makes us even more enticing to these pests.
• Stillness: When we're sleeping, we tend to stay still for longer periods of time, making it easier for bed bugs to feed without being disturbed.

While bed bugs prefer to feed on sleeping people, they can bite at any time if they are hungry. It is essential to understand how this works as well.

• Bed bugs may get into your couch and bite you while you watch television. These tiny insects administer an anticoagulant into the bites to anesthetize the wounds and reduce the discomfort. This allows them to bite you while you're fully awake.
• Bed bugs can get into a gap in an office chair and bite you while you're working on your computer. It is certainly not an ideal location, but they are known to do this.
• Bed bugs can get into the gaps in hardwood chairs or upholstered chairs.
• Bed bugs can get into a comfy, cushioned window nook where you enjoy reading during the day or night. However, they will feed on you when it is dark.

You'll find bed bugs hiding in places you sleep, lounge, or sit. They'll tuck themselves in cracks, gaps, pockets, and creases, or hide within dark voids. A detailed inspection is needed to uncover these bugs and determine that you definitely have a bed bug infestation. Keep a vacuum cleaner close at hand as you do your search. If you find bed bugs, you can suck them up quickly and dispose of the bag outside.

All The Ways Bed Bugs Can Hitch A Ride Into Our Homes

If you take the time to inspect your home and address any bed bugs you find, it is critical to understand how they get in. There are few things as frustrating as having new bugs replace the bugs you've found and removed. How do bed bugs get into your home? Here are some of the common ways bed bugs enter Virginia Beach homes:

• Travel: Bed bugs are known to be frequent travelers and can easily hitchhike in luggage, clothing, and other personal belongings when traveling. You, and others living in your home, can accidentally pick these bugs up and bring them home from hotels, motels, and five-star resorts.
• Second-hand furniture: Used furniture, particularly beds, and couches, are a common source of bed bug infestations. Always inspect second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home. Do this no matter where you get the item. You won't find these insects only inside a piece of furniture you grab off the side of the road. They can be in an item you buy from a trusted friend.
• Visitors: Guests, especially those who have recently traveled, can bring bed bugs into your home by accident. It's always a good idea to wash bedding and inspect luggage after visitors leave, just in case.
• Kids: A sleepover is a perfect opportunity for bed bugs to come home. Make sure you wash and dry all of your kid's clothing when returning from a night at a friend's house.
• Shared laundry facilities: If you use a shared laundry facility, be sure to thoroughly inspect your clothing and other items before taking them back to your home.
• Public transportation: Bed bugs can infest public transportation, particularly buses and trains. Be cautious when using public transportation and inspect your clothing and belongings afterward.
• Workplaces: Bed bugs can infest workplaces, particularly in environments where people frequently travel or live in close quarters. But they're also found in many businesses you wouldn't expect to find them, such as office spaces. If you suspect bed bugs at work, inform your employer immediately.

Being aware of these common modes of transportation can help you prevent bed bugs from entering your home. Performing regular inspections and taking preventative measures can help decrease the risk of a bed bug infestation.

How Professional Bed Bug Control Eliminates Bed Bug Infestations

There are many ways you can address bed bugs yourself. We even offer advice in many of our blog posts to help you do it. But the best solution for bed bugs is professional services. The key reason to contact a professional is that bed bugs can appear over and over as you attempt to control them. As they keep appearing, they'll continue to create problems for your family. The most obvious issue is that they bite. But there are many ways bed bugs can disrupt your home life.

When you need local pest control for bed bugs, contact us. At Hawk Mosquito & Pest, we take bed bug infestations seriously and use a comprehensive approach to get rid of them for good. Here's how we do it:

1. Full Inspection: We start by thoroughly inspecting the sleeping areas of your home. We check mattresses, box springs, and areas around beds. We also check common areas of the home where bed bugs may hide. Our technicians have the experience and training to find even the slightest evidence.
2. Product Treatment: After the inspection, we use a product treatment to eliminate bed bugs from your home. Our treatments are safe and effective, and we use them strategically to ensure maximum results.
3. Recommendations: In addition to treatment, we provide recommendations such as the application of mattress encasements and other preventative measures to keep bed bugs from returning.
4. Monitoring Traps: We deploy traps to track the progress of the treatment and ensure that the bed bugs are completely gone. When we're done, you won't have to wonder if you still have bed bugs.

The protocols we use are thorough and comprehensive. They're also field-tested and reliable. When it comes to addressing a bed bug infestation, it is critical to use a scientific approach like this. Consider reaching out to us today to learn more about our services or to request a service visit for your Virginia Beach home. Don't let bed bugs ruin your home and your peace of mind. Contact us today for professional bed bug control in Virginia Beach, and get back to a good night's sleep.