What Is A Bed Bug?

Bed bugs are far more common than you think. As a nation, we had pretty much eradicated the little pests, but in the 90’s they returned with a vengeance. Ninety-eight percent of pest control companies have reported that they have encountered Bed Bugs while servicing their clients. You can identify bed bugs with the following traits:

• They are tiny, but visible at about the size of an apple seed.

• If NOT fed recently, they are long and brown, with a flat, oval-shaped body.

• After they've eaten, they are balloon-like, reddish-brown, and more elongated.

• The bugs in Texas are normally brownish-red and become darker after they have fed.

• Smelly, with a sweet, musty odor produced through glands on the lower side of the body.

• Young bed bugs (also called nymphs), in general, are smaller, translucent, or whitish-yellow. When unfed, they can be nearly invisible to the naked eye because of coloring and size.

These are nasty awful creatures and there isn’t a human alive that enjoys getting chewed alive while they sleep, and neither do our pets. They can fall victim to bed bugs as well.

How Do Bed Bugs Affect My Pet?

Bed bugs do not live on the host the way other parasitical pests like fleas do. Once they have eaten and become engorged, they scurry back to their hiding place to digest their meal. Your pets are not immune to bed bugs simply because they produce carbon dioxide and heat just like a human does. The only difference being, that bed bugs are not particularly fond of fur. Because of this they will target their attacks where there is less fur, like the belly area of your pet.

Is It A Flea Bite Or A Bed Bug Bite?

Flea bites are usually small clustered red dots that appear to be random. They can become infected from the constant scratching that your pet does. Bed bug bites are larger, hard, and swollen-looking. They often have a linear pattern and they often tend to blister. Bed bugs do not travel far on their own, nor do they hitch rides on your pets. If you suspect that fido or fluffy is being bitten by bed bugs then you need to check your pet’s bedding. You will very likely find that it is infested.

How Do I Stop This Problem?

Washing and drying bedding at the hottest possible temperature is the best solution for pet bedding. Bed bugs, however, will not be content to munch on your pets when a buffet of humans is so readily available. You can be absolutely positive that you and your family are next on the menu. Here are a few tips for keeping bed bugs away.

• Vacuum everything regularly. Be sure to empty the canister (after every use) into a plastic bag and put it in the outside trash bin.

• Store clothes in vacuum-sealed bags while traveling.

• Cover unused power outlets.

• Cover mattress and boxspring.

• Clear away clutter.

• If moving, avoid using moving blankets provided by moving companies.

• Hire a professional to perform a bed bug inspection.

Bug-N-A-Rug Exterminators have been battling Bed bugs in Wilmington since 1996. You can count on us to put an end to their quest for domination.