Diagnosis and Detection of Bedbugs in the Home
Identifying a bedbug infestation early is vital to preventing it from spreading. While the bites are often the first clue, a thorough inspection of sleeping areas and furniture is the best way to confirm their presence. Read more about the diagnosis and detection of bedbugs in the home below.
Where to look for bedbugs:
- Mattress seams and tags
- Bed frame joints and slats
- Behind headboards and picture frames
- Under carpets or rugs near the bed
- Inside cracks in furniture or walls
- Behind electrical outlets or baseboards
- Inside couches, recliners, and drawer joints
Signs of infestation:
- Live bedbugs or nymphs
- Adult bedbugs are reddish-brown and about 5 mm in size. Nymphs are smaller and pale.
- Dark spots on sheets or mattresses
- These are droppings or digested blood.
- Blood stains
- Small smears from crushed bugs.
- Shed skins
- As they grow, bedbugs molt, leaving behind translucent shells.
- Musty odour
- In severe infestations, a sweet or musty smell from their scent glands may be noticeable.
DIY inspection tips:
- Use a torchlight and magnifying glass.
- Check seams, edges, and under buttons on mattresses.
- Place double-sided tape around the bed legs to trap bugs.
In South Africa, professional pest control companies offer bedbug detection services, including canine inspections and visual searches. In informal housing areas, self-inspection may be the only option, but early recognition is still possible.
If unsure, collect a bug in a clear container and take it to a pest control expert or environmental health officer for confirmation.
Diagnosis and Detection of Bedbugs in the Home
Early detection is critical. A small, localised infestation is much easier and cheaper to eliminate than a widespread one.
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