Throughout the United States, bed bug infestations are becoming incredibly commonplace. As a result, homeowners are getting spooked by any small insect they see crawling around their furniture.
Bed bugs are known for the discomfort they cause and how incredibly difficult they are to kill. But when you think you spot one, don’t go straight into panic mode; you might discover that what you are looking at isn’t quite as bad as you think.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are insects, and they feed on blood. They are not known to carry any transmittable diseases, which means that they aren’t directly harmful to us. However, their bites cause red, itchy bumps on the skin, and scratching them can lead to infection.
Bed bugs can feed on people and animals, but they prefer humans. They are also nocturnal, which means they emerge at night from your mattress or other furniture to bite you.
One of the worst features of bed bugs is how rapidly they reproduce. One female can lay over 500 eggs in her lifetime, which means if you notice even one bed bug, more are coming.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
It is important that you know how to identify bed bugs. However, this can be complicated. First of all, bed bugs look different depending on their stage of life. Nymphs are smaller than their adult counterparts, to the point that you might not even be able to see them. If you can, they’ll be a whitish-yellow if they haven’t fed and a dark red when they’ve eaten.
How adult bed bugs look is easier to spot. They are brown in color and have flat, oval-shaped bodies. When they feed, the brown takes on a more maroon tone. They move pretty slow and are about 5 millimeters in length or less.
Do Bed Bugs Look Like Ticks?
There are lots of critters that look like bed bugs, and certain types of ticks are included in this list. The fact that they are also blood-sucking bugs makes this confusion even more logical. However, there are some key differences between them.
The biggest is that ticks are actually arachnids—like spiders. And this means they have eight legs, whereas bed bugs have just six. Additionally, once a tick attaches to you or a pet, it hangs on. Bed bugs let go. Additionally, you are unlikely to find more than one tick in your home, and if there, it likely got in by accident. With bed bugs, there will always be company.
If you are concerned about insect infestations, one of the best ways to stave them off is with regular lawn care. Our lawn care service in Alpharetta offers all the assistance you need to keep your outdoor spaces attractive and healthy. For more information on pest control or how to get rid of weeds in your lawn, contact Absolute Lawn Pros.
We all know that lawns are the perfect place for relaxation and fun activities. But what if pests come into your yard? Scary right! Learn how you can keep those pesky creatures at bay with some helpful tips from our blog post on lawn pests and how to fight them.
