Getting your own place, or simply making yourself home in a new one is often an exciting accomplishment. Getting to know the neighbors, checking out local businesses, and redecorating, as fun as they are, can really tire you out. Of course, you’re going to want to make sure you get a good night’s sleep as soon as you’ve moved in the bed. But, what do you do if you end up with some tiny, biting bunk mates?
Bedbugs may be a potential problem in multi-family residences. Using second-hand furniture, or a poorly cleaned shared laundry are common conduits for bedbug infestations. Before moving, make sure to read reviews for any prospective complexes to see if there are any known bug issues. Even if the reviews are in the clear, sometimes previous residents might have left something extra behind. Worse yet, sometimes neighbors can expose your linens and furniture to bedbugs just through passing proximity.
If you are finding that your sleep is not as restful as you’d hope, here are some clear signs that you may have a bedbug infestation:
- Stains on sheets: Stains left by crushed bed bugs are normally rusty-red or brown in hue. Bedbug excrement is darker in hue but may bleed into fabrics like a marker.
- Bites: The first sign you might have of bedbugs is their telltale bite patterns. Bites may occur on any part of exposed skin, but often manifest in clusters or a linear pattern. The bite manifests on the skin as a small, flat, reddish welt.
- Live bedbugs, or their remains: Bedbugs are small and oval-shaped. They are brown in color, but develop a red tinge after feeding. Often, when an infestation is particularly severe, live bedbugs as well as their corpses, eggs, and feces are visible.
If you believe you have a bedbug infestation, before you throw away all your sheets and furniture, a professional consultation can assist you in finding solutions and preventing further issues. If skin issues persist after consulting an exterminator, consider seeking medical assistance.
