Waking up to itchy red bumps can be a distressing experience, often pointing to an unwelcome visitor in your bedroom: bed bugs. Identifying the type of bed bug responsible for these bites is essential to effectively addressing a bed bug infestation and preventing its spread. Canada is home to several species of bed bugs, each with unique characteristics. Here’s an overview of the primary types you might encounter and how to tackle a bed bug infestation.
Common Bed Bugs
Cimex lectularius, commonly known as the bed bug, is the predominant species found across Canadian homes. Exhibiting a reddish-brown appearance and a taste for human blood, these adult bed bugs reach about 5 mm in length and are attracted to carbon dioxide. They are often found in sleeping areas, like the comfort of mattress seams, box springs, and bed frames. They thrive in human environments. They like the warmth and are more active at night, leading to the characteristic bed bug bites that residents find upon waking. Left unchecked, bed bug infestations can escalate rapidly, making prompt and effective pest control crucial.
Bat Bugs
Bat bugs, cousins of the common bed bug, boast longer body hairs, giving them a distinct, fuzzy appearance. Surpassing the common bed bugs in size, adult bat bugs can grow up to 7 mm. Though less prevalent, their presence can signify a nearby bat population, which serves as their preferred host. Unlike bed bugs, which feed on warm-blooded animals, bat bugs turn to humans without their primary host. If you spot bugs that feed with such an appetite, immediate action is required. Contacting pest control companies for accurate identification and eradication is vital to address a potential bed bug infestation.
Swallow Bugs
Resembling the bed bug‘s appearance, swallow bugs make their homes near bird nests, often those of swallows or cavity-nesting birds like woodpeckers. While these bed bugs feed primarily on bird blood, they will not hesitate to bite humans. The possibility of allergic reactions to swallow or bed bug bites isn’t something to overlook, as these bites can significantly affect health and mental hygiene.
Identification and Pest Control
Accurately identifying these pests can be challenging, requiring a professional pest control company. That’s why Birch Fumigators provides a complimentary pest identification service. Customers can submit a photo through our website, and our experts will assist you in finding bed bugs or their kin. We’re well-versed in the blood meal patterns and life cycle of young bed bugs, adult bed bugs, and their eggs, allowing us to offer effective treatment plans.
Our approach is thorough, ensuring that bed bug bites and bed bugs in all life stages are addressed, reducing the risk of a recurrent bed bug infestation. From the apple seed-sized nymphs to the full-grown adult bed bugs, we target them all. Our pest control methods are designed to interrupt the bed bug infestation at every stage, from eggs to maturity.
Remember, while bed bugs do not spread disease, their impact on your well-being can be substantial. It’s important to contact a trained expert, like a bed bug exterminator or a reputable pest control company, who can prevent the spread of these pests and ensure your home remains a safe sanctuary.
If you’re grappling with a bed bug bite or suspect bed bug infestations in your residence, don’t hesitate. Contact Birch Fumigators for a pest management plan to reclaim your good night sleep and the hygiene of your space.