Dead bed bugs?
That’s just the way I like them…
…especially after treating your home for bed bugs.
Although the mere sight of a bed bug dead or alive can cause you to wonder if you are going to have another battle with them now or in the future.
If you’re wondering what it means to find a dead bed bug and what you should do now you’ll find that out here.
Why Am I Finding Dead Bed Bugs?
If you are seeing dead bed bugs you don’t need to be alarmed… yet!
It can mean that it is just one lone bed bug that traveled into your home. And luckily it’s dead.
Or
There are more where that came from and you need to find them before they find you.
The best way to approach this is to assume that there are more than just the one-bed bug that you found.
These pests are stubborn and can be tough to kill so being proactive and persistent will be your best way to end this threat.
What Should I Do If I Find Dead Bed Bug?
You should quickly determine if there are more bed bugs.
One way to detect bed bugs with a UV light.
By flashing this light you can quickly and visibly detect bed bugs.
A troubling thought that would come to mind is if this dead bed bug was a female. If so, you could be looking at many more bed bugs soon.
Just one female bed bug can produce up to 500 eggs.
They can also lay up to 5 eggs each day!
So, kill them fast and permanently.
by doing it yourself.
If It’s a big problem and you find you have an infestation of your entire home you may need to get the help of a professional technician.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
If you’re not familiar with these bloodsuckers you might think they only reside on or around beds.
But bed bugs or very good at adapting to the surroundings making it possible for them to live in various places in and even out of your home.
You can find them hiding in the following places:
- Crevices of mattress
- Electrical Outlets
- Picture Frames
- Box Springs
- Chairs
- Wallpaper
- Baseboards
These pests are nocturnal and very good at hiding, but they tend to stay within a few feet of their source of feeding.
So where would that be you might ask?
Any place you spend a long period of time in your home would be good place to check and find bed bugs.
What Are Signs Of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are very tiny about 3/16″ and always on the move. This can make it difficult to spot them, but not impossible.
Check for dark spots on your mattress, especially on the seams and corners of your bed.
Also, be on the lookout for eggs or eggshells when you are searching for bed bugs. The eggs are usually grouped together.
Click Here To View Pictures Of Dead Bed Bugs
Dead bed bugs are reddish-brown and they can look like various other bugs.
If you see a bug in your bed or on your mattress, you should get up and get out of the room.
Keep in mind that live bed bugs can’t fly or jump, so it is unlikely for them to crawl onto you if you’re not in contact with the mattress or nearby furniture.
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are oval-shaped and reddish-brown, typically anywhere from one-quarter to three-quarter-inch long with a flat body.
When they feed on blood, they turn deep red as they digest their meal.
They also have an oval shape in the head area which is thinner than the rest of the body to create a triangle-like appearance.
Can Dead Bed Bugs Pretend To Be Dead?
Bed bugs are a common pest in many homes.
They can be difficult to get rid of and they are also difficult to detect because they are tiny.
Dead bed bugs won’t pretend they are dead.
If you see a bed bug that is dead it means it’s really not alive anymore.
Dead bed bugs can be a sign that live bed bugs are in your home so it’s important to take the necessary steps to find bed bugs in your home.
- Seams of your mattress and boxspring
- You can spot them on the tag on the mattress and boxspring
- Cracks and crevices of the headboard, footboard
- Joints of the drawers
- Seams of couches and other furniture in your home
- Behind electrical outlets as well as in your electronics
What Kills Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are resilient and can be difficult to kill.
That being said some of the ways that kill bed bugs are using heat (113 – 118 Degrees Fahrenheit).
Washing and drying your clothes in High Heat For a Minimum of 30 minutes can help you kill some of the bed bugs in your home.
You can also try Desiccants are substances that kill bugs by destroying their protective outer coating.
And another way to treat bed bugs is to Pyrethrins and pyrethroids.
If your home is infested contact a licensed pest control company to get a quote and help get rid of bed bugs fast.
If you’re finding dead bed bugs it’s most likely because you either have an infestation or it’s because you have treated your home for bed bugs.
Conclusion
If you’re finding dead bed bugs you should act quickly to rule out the risk of more bed bugs hiding in your home.
Just one female bed bug can be a BIG problem for you and fast. She can lay up to 5 eggs every day.
Do a search over your home and use a tool such as a bed bug detector that will reveal signs of bed bugs.
It’s never a good idea to assume that since the bug you found is dead that is the end of the problem. Be diligent and make sure you are not infested.
If you want to kill bed bugs as you’re searching for them you can use the recommended spray I used to eradicate them.
You can also call a professional pest control company. Some of them will give a free inspection.
Thanks for reading. If you’d like to learn how I got rid of bed bugs, check out my story here.