World, Bed Bug Registry Map – Infestation Reports

From funky odors in the fridge to questionable scents coming from the basement, our sense of smell can warn us of potential danger. However, sometimes things we should be alerted to don't smell all that bad, which could make detecting them tricky. This can be the case with bed bugs. While the creepy crawlers do have a handful of specific scents, they're not always unpleasant, so the scent can easily be overlooked. To see what smell you should be looking out for, read on, and for more signs of infestation, If You See This in Your Yard, Prepare for a Bug Invasion, USDA Says.

The smell that bed bugs give off varies depending on your personal olfactory sense and can also change depending on the state of the bug. Pest company Orkin says bed bugs can give off a "musty, sweet smell, often likened to berries," if there's a sizable infestation.

Professional pest control specialist and entomologist Nicholas Martinsaid this smell usually only arises if "many of them are squashed or disturbed. You're not likely to detect the smell from a few squashed bugs, so this usually occurs if the infestation is severe." And for more on these dreaded critters, These Awful Bugs You Forgot About May Soon Come Back, Exterminators Warn.

Bed bugs release pheromones when they feel they're in peril to alert other bugs to danger, Martin says. "The smell can be quite similar to coriander or a pile of clothes that was closed in the washing machine for a couple of days or a pair of moldy shoes," he notes. According to pest control expert Jordan Foster, at low concentrations some people find this smell to be pleasant. However, if a large group of bed bugs gets disturbed, you may get a whiff of an odor similar to a stink bug's, he adds. And for more odors that should have you calling an exterminator, If Your House Smells Like This, You May Have a Bug Problem.

Before calling an exterminator, you may want to check for other signs of the critters. Foster said if you see "dark blood stains on sheets and bedding" or have "itchy, irritated skin" seemingly from bites, it's time to contact a professional. The bed bug's pheromone scent "is an effective way for the pests to communicate and remain hidden," Foster says. "Because of their elusiveness, it is best to contact a professional pest control company rather than trying to tackle the problem by yourself."

Unfortunately, these bugs may not be confined solely to your bed. Martin says you should inspect all other furniture, including couches, chairs, and any cracks in the room. "Bed bugs can hide anywhere they feel safe," he says. "However, the most common location is your bed, as it's the best place to feed." And for more useful information delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Besides causing restless nights, these pests nibble on your skin when you fall asleep. "During the evening, bed bugs use an anesthetic in their saliva to bite people without being detected," Foster explains. Their bites cause discomfort and itching, but are not believed to be a risk for diseases. "They are, however, extremely difficult to control." And for more breaking bug news, If You Live Here, Prepare for a Major Bug Infestation, Expert Warns.

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If You Smell This in Your Bedroom, You Might Have Bed Bugs ...

Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.

Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Female bedbugs may lay hundreds of eggs, each of which is about the size of a speck of dust, over a lifetime.

Immature bedbugs, called nymphs, shed their skins five times before reaching maturity and require a meal of blood before each shedding. Under favorable conditions the bugs can develop fully in as little as a month and produce three or more generations per year. Although they are a nuisance, they are not thought to transmit diseases.

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Where Bed Bugs Hide

Bedbugs may enter your home undetected through luggage, clothing, used beds and couches, and other items. Their flattened bodies make it possible for them to fit into tiny spaces, about the width of a credit card. Bedbugs do not have nests like ants or bees but tend to live in groups in hiding places. Their initial hiding places are typically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards where they have easy access to people to bite in the night.

Over time, however, they may scatter through the bedroom, moving into any crevice or protected location. They may also spread to nearby rooms or apartments.

Because bedbugs live solely on blood, having them in your home is not a sign of dirtiness. You are as likely to find them in immaculate homes and hotel rooms as in filthy ones.

When Bed bugs Bite

Bedbugs are active mainly at night and usually bite people while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. The bugs feed from three to 10 minutes to become engorged and then crawl away unnoticed.

Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike flea bites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping. Also, the bites do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites do. People who dont realize they have a bedbug infestation may attribute the itching and welts to other causes, such as mosquitoes. To confirm bedbug bites, you must find and identify the bugs themselves.

Signs of Infestation

If you wake up with itchy areas you didnt have when you went to sleep, you may have bedbugs, particularly if you got a used bed or other used furniture around the time the bites started. Other signs that you have bedbugs include:

If you suspect an infestation, remove all bedding and check it carefully for signs of the bugs or their excrement. Remove the dust cover over the bottom of the box springs and examine the seams in the wood framing. Peel back the fabric where it is stapled to the wood frame.

Getting rid of bedbugs begins with cleaning up the places where bedbugs live. This should include the following:

If your mattress is infested, you may want to get rid of it and get a new one but take care to rid the rest of your home of bedbugs or they will infest your new mattress.

While cleaning up infested areas will be helpful in controlling bedbugs, getting rid of them usually requires chemical treatments. Because treating your bed and bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, it is important to use products that can be used safely in bedrooms. Do not treat mattresses and bedding unless the label specifically says you can use them on bedding.

Generally, it is safest and most effective to hire an experienced pest control professional for bedbug extermination.

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Bed Bugs - Truly Green Pest Control