If you’ve been suffering from itchy red spots or unexplained hives or have spotted blood stains around your house and on your furniture, you may have a bed bug infestation. These small, disc-like brown bugs survive on the blood of animals, including humans. They are experts at hiding, though they can stain linens and mattresses and do leave behind itchy marks that sometimes trigger allergic reactions. If you have an infestation, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of it on your own. If you notice any of these signs, we recommend contacting a professional!

Pestech is here to help. Below, we’ve answered your burning questions about bed bugs and are happy to answer more during an inspection of your home or business!

1. Do Bed Bugs Bite Cats and Dogs?

Although bed bugs typically prefer human blood, they can also feed on any warm-blooded animal, including cats and dogs. They may also bite pet rabbits, birds and rodents.

2. Can Bed Bugs Live in Your Hair?

While it is possible for bed bugs to live in your hair, it’s unlikely. They don’t have the physical capabilities to embed into your hair follicles and would wash away easily. Any bed bug sighting while combing your locks is likely a one-time result of misdirection or accident. Bed bugs prefer skin with easily accessible blood vessels. If you’re worried, you can comb your hair, wash it in a very hot shower and dry it thoroughly with a hairdryer.

If you see bugs in your hair, it’s more likely to be lice or fleas.

3. Can Bed Bugs Live in Your Carpet?

Technically, yes, bed bugs can live in your carpet. However, it’s not their first choice. Bed bugs prefer to stay within 8 feet of where humans sleep for easier access to food. You should still vacuum regularly to remove any exoskeletons the bugs may leave behind after molting.

4. Do Bed Bugs Have Wings?

No, bed bugs do not have wings and do not fly. They have small, thin, oval-shaped bodies and six legs that let them scurry quickly. Bed bugs do not jump, either. Their primary mode of getting around is crawling or hitching a ride on people and belongings. That doesn’t mean these pests don’t get around — an infestation can spiral out of control very quickly as they crawl rapidly between rooms.

5. Can You Feel Bed Bugs Crawling on You?

You may feel bed bugs crawling on your body, especially when you’re trying to sleep or if more than one pest is feeding on you once. You might also imagine the crawling feeling when the bugs are gone. Bed bug infestations can leave homeowners with psychological distress that may manifest in this way. Delusional parasitosis (DP) is a condition where the afflicted person believes they have an infestation and may go to radical lengths to eliminate it. Some people also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after major infestations.

6. Does Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?

Alcohol can have detrimental effects on bed bugs. However, this is not always 100% effective.

When a bug comes into direct contact with rubbing alcohol, the solution may dry up its outer casing and insides, including eggs. For alcohol to be truly effective, you would need to spray every single bed bug — a nearly impossible feat, thanks to their ability to spread quickly and hide well. Filling your home with alcoholic fumes is also dangerous.

7. Does Bleach Kill Bed Bugs?

Similarly to alcohol, undiluted bleach may be able to kill a bed bug, but it’s not 100% effective and poses a serious threat to your health. Bleach only has a chance against bed bugs if it comes into direct contact, which is a highly ineffective long-term solution because they are skilled hiders and evaders.

Additionally, bleach can hurt your skin and respiratory system. Bleach toxicity can lead to:

• Blurry vision, redness and tearing.
• Irritation of the mouth and throat.
• Respiratory distress, such as bronchospasm.
• Skin irritation.

Bleach becomes even more dangerous when mixed with other chemicals, whether intentionally or by accidental exposure. Some combinations can create chlorine gas, an asphyxiant that can cause lasting damage and may even prove fatal.

Once you have worked with a pest control service to eradicate your infestation, you can use bleach to clean up remaining blood stains or residue from furniture, bedding and clothing.

8. How Common Are Bed Bugs?

Unfortunately, bed bugs are a widespread problem — approximately 1 in 5 Americans report having experienced an infestation or knowing someone who either has an infestation or has found a bed bug at a hotel. They are especially prevalent in cities and shared spaces, like dorms, school campuses, nursing homes, apartment complexes and condos.

9. How Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Bed bugs attach to secondhand furniture, clothes, shoes and more to hitch a ride into your home. Once inside your home and near a food source — often in your bedroom — adult females can lay two or more eggs per day. Eggs are nearly impossible to spot, thanks to their light-colored shells. Under ideal conditions, they will reach maturity in about a month, at which point the egg-hatching cycle will restart.

Learn more about where bed bugs come from and hide in your home in our online guide.

10. How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

Bed bug infestations do not go away on their own, and professional remediation is the only way to truly eradicate them once they’ve moved in. The average life span for a bed bug is six to 12 months, but they are very resilient. If necessary, adults can sometimes last several months or even more than a year without feeding.

11. Where Do Bed Bugs Hide on Your Body?

Bed bugs do not typically hide on the body. They prefer to feed and then move back to their hiding place until they are hungry again. In some cases, they may hide in your clothes or the soles of your shoes.

They typically feed on any skin left exposed while you’re asleep, including your:

• Face and neck.
• Arms and hands.
• Legs, feet and ankles.
• Neck and shoulders.

Some bites take four or more days to appear, and not everyone will develop visible markings.

12. Should You Throw Away Your Mattress and Pillows After an Infestation?

Whether or not you should toss your blankets, pillows and any other belongings depends on the severity of the infestation and the efficacy of the treatment. Ask your pest expert for a recommendation based on your specific case.

In some cases, you may need to replace mattresses, sheets or pillowcases due to the bloodstains and residue bed bugs leave behind.

13. Are Bed Bugs Hard to Get Rid Of?

Bed bugs are a notoriously challenging pest to get rid of. Much of this difficulty is because many homeowners try to clear the problem themselves, spending a lot of time and money on methods that do not work and are unsustainable. By the time they have called a pest control service, the problem may have grown to a full-blown infestation. Bed bugs are skilled hiders and survivors. The only way to get rid of an infestation is to eliminate every bug and egg. Professionals are trained to locate and eradicate bed bugs entirely. They can also help you take steps to prevent future issues.

14. What Is the Number One Cause of Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are extremely common globally — you shouldn’t feel embarrassed or ashamed of an infestation. They can occur anywhere, no matter how clean and clutter-free. While certain environments make it easier for bed bugs to hide, the leading cause of an infestation is a hitchhiking bed bug that is able to hatch eggs inside your home safely and without detection.

15. Will Washing Clothes Kill Bed Bugs?

Wash all clothes at a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit and dry on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill possible eggs and bed bugs. Place all delicate items unsafe for laundering in a bag or tote and set them in direct sunlight for at least 24 hours.

Washing your clothes is not enough to eradicate an infestation. When you spot a single bed bug in your home, there are likely dozens more elsewhere.

16. Can You See Bed Bugs?

Adult bed bugs are dark reddish brown after they feed at least once. Until then, young “nymphs” and starving adults are more of a yellowed translucent color. You may see the “shells” of bed bugs, which are the exoskeletons that remain after molting.

You may also be able to see visible markings of bed bug bites. They typically occur in clusters or lines on the skin.

17. Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

Bed bug bites are not known for transferring disease, but they sometimes leave behind visible, itchy welts on your skin. These welts may or may not appear, and there is often a delay between when you’re bitten and when physical signs manifest. It’s also possible that these bites trigger an allergic reaction in some victims. If you scratch at the welts and break the skin, an infection may occur. Excessive blood loss due to repeat feedings may worsen or threaten those with anemia or blood disorders. Bed bug shells can also irritate symptoms in asthmatic people.

Aside from physical threats, one of the most significant concerns regarding bed bug infestations is the psychological and lifestyle side effects. An infestation can cause you to lose sleep, resulting in discomfort, exhaustion, sickness and increased anxiety. Infestations may also trigger feelings of embarrassment, hopelessness and paranoia.

18. Can Bed Bugs Get in Your Ears and Other Parts of the Body?

Technically, yes — bed bugs can enter your ears and other parts of your body. However, it is very uncommon and unlikely. Bed bugs feed on warm blood, which they extract directly from skin. They do not need to travel inside the body when their food source is accessible from the outside. That said, some psychological conditions can make you feel as though there are bugs crawling on your skin.

19. How Fast Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Although bed bugs do not fly, they move quickly, often at night when you’re asleep. This makes it easier for them to spread and lay eggs. If you suspect an infestation, begin searching for signs of bed bugs in your bedroom, as they tend to stay close to their food source.

20. Can Bed Bugs Kill You?

Bed bugs can’t kill you directly and aren’t known to transmit any diseases. They do inject various substances when they feed, which can cause varying symptoms. Some people experience mild itching, while others can develop large welts or hives and a more intense itching sensation. In some cases, they can cause anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.

They can cause secondary infections if you scratch at or open a bite wound. Examples include:

• Impetigo: Impetigo is a skin infection caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria. It’s treatable with antibiotics.
• Ecthyma: This skin infection occurs deep inside the skin and is often referred to as deep impetigo. Oral or topical antibiotics can help, but some cases require intravenous antibiotic treatment.
• Lymphangitis: Some bacterial infections can lead to an infection of the lymph vessels. This condition develops and spreads quickly, and prompt oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment is crucial. Some cases require surgery to drain an abscess.

21. What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Bed Bugs?

A bed bug infestation can have lingering effects on the home and those who live in it. Bed bugs emit a sweet, musty smell that may overtake the room. Even once the pests are removed from your home, you will likely be left with blood stains on bedding, clothing and furniture. There could be excrement in the seams of your mattress or inside walls and near outlets or trim pieces.

Those who live through a bed bug infestation may experience long-term psychological effects, such as PTSD. You might find yourself “feeling” the bugs crawling on you long after your home is clear. Untreated infestations can lead to severe sleeping problems, such as insomnia, and many people experience feelings of embarrassment, anxiety and an inability to relax.

Attempting to eradicate a bed bug infestation on your own can have costly consequences, too — commercially available treatments aren’t effective, and many people spend thousands of dollars only to find themselves back where they started. A professional pest service is the best long-term solution.

22. What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

The best form of bed bug treatment is prevention. By eliminating your chances of bringing bed bugs into your home, you can reduce the likelihood of dealing with the ramifications of an infestation.

Some ways to help prevent bed bugs include:

• Inspecting hotel room beds and furniture before settling in.
• Inspecting luggage after returning home from a trip.
• Keeping your home clear of clutter, which can hide signs of bugs.
• Covering electrical outlets when not in use.
• Practicing caution when bringing secondhand items into your home.
• Adding a mattress protector to block off seams.
• Understanding the warning signs of an infestation and acting promptly when you suspect one.
• Checking your clothing after returning from a public space, like a hospital or school.

Despite your best efforts, bed bugs may still find their way into your house. If this happens, contacting a professional is the most effective method of removal.

23. I Found a Bed Bug Crawling on Me. Now What?

If you’ve found a bed bug in your home — or have suspicious bites or wall markings — here are your next steps:

• Confirm it’s a bed bug: It’s easy to confuse a bed bug with another pest if you don’t know what to look for. Confirm what you’re dealing with — bed bugs are about a quarter of an inch long and disc-shaped. Their eggs are pale yellow, and adults who have recently fed will appear dark red or brown. If you rent your home, now is a good time to alert your landlord or property manager.
• Inspect the home: Look for stains and droppings on your mattress, bed frame and bedding. You might also see markings on walls — especially near baseboards and trim — as well as inside furniture, electrical outlets, and under wallpaper or wall hangings.
• Prevent further spreading: Avoid discarding or relocating anything that has bed bugs present to minimize the chance of spreading. Consider sealing any crevices around the home with caulking and regluing loose wallpaper to contain the infestation. Tape up unused electrical outlets. Inspect anything that leaves your house, including luggage.
• Reduce the chance of bites: Bed bugs tend to feed on sleeping humans. Minimize the chance of a bite by moving beds away from walls and investing in mattress and box spring protectors. You might consider wearing socks and long-sleeve pajamas until the problem is resolved.
• Contact a professional: A professional pest control company like Pestech Pest Solutions is the only effective way to eliminate a full-blown infestation. Our team will use an integrated approach that locates hot spots and then develop a plan for removing the pests and preventing future infestations. How long the process takes will depend on how soon you schedule treatment as well as the extent of the infestation.

Pestech Pest Solutions Will Help You Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can wreak havoc on your home and lifestyle, but you don’t have to handle them on your own. The professionals at Pestech Pest Solutions have extensive training and equipment to help locate and treat all bed bugs, including eggs, and help you develop a prevention plan to minimize your chances of another infestation.

Contact us today to learn more about our bed bug control methods.