Bed bugs are an incredibly common pest that affect millions of homes nationwide. For those living in Phoenix, AZ as well as surrounding areas, having this type of problem can be detrimental to your family’s health and overall well-being. Knowing when you have a problem can help in receiving the pest control assistance that you need. There are several things to look for when it comes to bed bugs and if you notice there is a problem, it is crucial that you have the professionals perform the pest control for you.

Black or Red Marks Around the Mattress
One of the best ways to tell if you have bed bugs is to take a good look at your mattress. The reason bed bugs tend to migrate towards beds and other linens is because they feed off of those who are sleeping or staying in the bed. Because of this, you might notice black or even red stains and markings along the rim of the mattress itself. It might help to lift this rim so that you can get a better view of what’s underneath.

Unexplained Bites and Markings
Unlike fleas that can bite, but jump, bed bugs walk along in a relatively uniform pattern. Because of this, you might find that you or a loved one has small, pimple-like bumps that are in a row on your body. Bed bugs come out at night and feed on humans and pets in the bed. This also explains the red markings found around the mattress, since this is the blood of the bed bugs after they have been feeding on their hosts.

Other Small Stains and Spots
It’s not unusual to have some minor stains on mattresses and pillows, but if the stains are small and clustered, this could be a sign that you have bed bugs. At night while you’re sleeping, you could be rolling over and crushing the bugs, leaving small stains where they were before you rolled on top of them. Looking for these stains can help in identifying a bed bug problem and then reaching out for help when you need it.