If you’re like the vast majority of people, you don’t want insects in your bed. Unfortunately, the ones most likely to show up there are among the hardest to spot. Bedbugs are small reddish-brown insects that are roughly the shape and size of an apple seed. They tend to come out at night, though, so how do you know if you have an infestation of these unwanted guests? Here are a few telltale signs that mean you need pest control treatment.

3 Ways to Identify a Bedbug Problem

1. Check Your Skin

Unfortunately, these insects feed on blood, so they’ll attach themselves to sleeping victims for a midnight feast. Look for red, itchy welts on your skin. The insects can move in zigzag or straight patterns, so look for lines of red spots on your shoulders, arms, and legs.

2. Check the Bed

If the results of your skin-check are inconclusive, examine your bed. Check for rust-colored spots on your sheets, then strip the bed and check the mattress and box spring as well. These stains will usually be located near the corners and edges of the bed.

These insects also shed their exoskeletons, so keep an eye out for their molted skins or white, sticky eggshells.

3. Check the Air

Bedbugs give off strong pheromones. If you have an infestation, you may be able to smell them. When you walk into your bedroom, do you detect a sweet or musty scent that reminds you of a wet towel? If so, examine the room more closely. Check the closet, too, since they can be attracted to your clothing as well as bedding.

If you’ve spotted any of the above evidence of bedbugs in your home, it’s time to contact an exterminator. Select Pest Control provides the Greater Cincinnati area with a variety of affordable pest treatment solutions. With the help of their beloved bedbug-detecting canine, Rocco, they can find and remove all of these painful pests. Call them today at (513) 352-0080 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about their services.