They're ba-ack. Bedbugs used to be a part of life back a century ago, but pretty much disappeared from sight. Nowadays, people are hearing about them more often. While the presence of bedbugs is still quite rare, more and more people are discovering -- to their horror -- that their homes are infested with them. Here are some clues to help you tell whether your house has been invaded by bedbugs.
If someone in your house is complaining about insect bites received overnight, you should be on the alert. True, bedbugs prefer to feed at night, but fleas or mosquitoes could be suspects. Check your pets to see if they have fleas. Also, make sure your window screens are in good repair.
If you've established that you don't have a flea problem and your windows are in good shape, it's time to do a bed-check. Bedbugs are nesting bugs; while some bugs fly or crawl to find their food, nesting bugs prefer to hang out in nests, or beds. When checking your bed, look for small dark spots. Look around creases, folds, tight corners, and small cracks in the bed frame. Also, they hide in cracks behind baseboards, behind picture frames, and even in places where wires come out of the wall. If you find some dark spots and discarded skins, it's time to call in a professional. Licensed exterminators can confirm that you have bedbugs, and treat your house safely.
