How To Tell If Your San Francisco Bay Area Home Has A Bed Bug Problem

Last Modified on November 15, 2023 by Zachary Smith

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Many pests can take you by surprise, but bed bugs are infamous for suddenly showing up and bewildering homeowners. You never know precisely where they came from. In many cases, San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey residents don’t know they have a problem until there’s a substantial infestation. It takes no time for bed bugs to fill a space. They procreate very quickly. While their tiny size can be one reason they easily sneak past people, they definitely leave a trail.

san francisco bedbug problem

Bed bugs are primarily known for crawling in mattresses then coming out and biting humans while they sleep. These insects eat blood, which results in unsightly bumps that are itchy and red. Learn about their telling trails so you’ll know when to reach out for professional help.

What Are The Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation?

The common bed bug is 0.25 of an inch long and has reddish-brown skin. They have small round heads, a weirdly shaped midsection that is tiny, and large globular tails. Six legs and two antennae border their frames. These critters lay eggs that are pearly white. Translucent young emerge from them.

When bed bugs begin to breed and multiply, you’ll start to notice the following:

  • Blood drops or reddish-brown smudges
  • Brown or black speckled feces that’s powdery
  • Musty smells in the air
  • Bites on your body

You’ll discover stains and excrement on fabrics and surfaces, and not just in the bedroom. Take a close look at your couches, upholstery, curtains, carpeting, flooring, and electronics. The welts on your skin will appear to be like a rash and lumped together. They will predominantly be on your legs, arms, face, and neck. Bumps are a chief indication that bed bugs have infiltrated your home.

Bed bugs drink the blood of animals and humans. They live in spots where they will have easy access to fleshly beings, like public places. These insects get into the clothes and personal bags of people in offices, schools, hotels, train stations, and similar places. From there, they’ll go home with people and can move on to appliances and electrical sockets for warmth. Furniture, laundry, wallpaper, and wood trim are also typical landing locations for these critters.

How Can You Prevent Bed Bugs?

Considering how bed bugs function and the speed in which they reproduce, catching them as soon as possible is critical. It will require detailed examinations of your belongings and being vigilant when you’re out. This might seem daunting, but it’s necessary if you want to be bed bug-free.

Specific steps you’ll have to take include:

  • Looking over mattress seams, box springs, and head and footboards with a flashlight. Peek under beds as well.
  • Going through clothing piles, backpacks, purses, bags, and drawers.
  • Checking fixtures, furniture, and gadgets.
  • Surveying second-hand items prior to purchasing them.

When traveling or vacationing:

  • Alert maintenance if you see bed bugs when you inspect your hotel room. Ask to be relocated to a distant unit.
  • Use a protective cover or plastic bag to put your luggage in.
  • Clean your trip clothes with hot water and dry them for at least 20 minutes on high.

What Can Smith’s Pest Management Do About Bed Bugs?

Our technicians at Smith’s Pest Management are highly trained. We have specialized knowledge of bed bugs and know how to use our state-of-the-art tools to eradicate them. Depending on the circumstances, heat, steam, or chemical treatment will be employed. Our bed bug solutions are thorough and safe. We also have preventative care options. Receive a free quote when you call today!

Author Bio: Zach Smith

Landscape Pro Turned Gopher Pro: Owner, Zach Smith, graduate of Cal Poly’s Horticulture program worked nine years as a landscape professional- dealing with gophers, moles, and ground squirrels and was quickly recruited by other local gardeners. Fast forward to the past 15+ years, where Zach and his team trap and remove burrowing pests from residential, municipal and commercial properties throughout the San Francisco Bay area, from Marin to Monterey.