Bed bugs are known to many as one of the most problematic types of pests that infest homes. These bugs aren't venomous and aren't known to destroy your home. However, people still fear a bed bug infestation more than any other pest infestation because they are hardy creatures that are difficult for the average person to eliminate.

At Gecko Pest Control, our Kilgore pest control technicians have learned how to overcome the many challenges of bed bug elimination. We know the best way to get rid of bed bugs and can help you ensure that they don't come back to your home again.

What Do Bed Bugs Bites Look Like?

Bed bugs have a unique way of biting people. Instead of clamping down on your skin with their teeth, bed bugs will pierce your skin with their beak-like mouths and feed on your body's blood. While this might sound painful, the bed bug will inject a little bit of its aesthetic saliva into your body.

While the bed bug's saliva will help you not feel the initial bite, it causes a small, itchy bump to appear on the skin after it has finished biting you. The bumps are usually small and resemble a mosquito bite bump. Because they are known to bite a person more than once, bed bug bites will most likely be clustered together or form a zig-zag pattern on your skin.

How Worried Should I Be About Bed Bugs In My Home?

Bed bugs in Kilgore can't sting you, aren't known to spread diseases, and don't cause damage to your home. They aren't dangerous to humans but aren't entirely harmless.

If a bed bug bites you, it will likely only cause a small, itchy bump on your skin. Some people, however, might experience an allergic reaction to the bug's saliva and could notice more severe symptoms, such as rash, hives, and swelling. Whether or not you develop a rash, the bug bite bumps can cause extreme itchiness. Some people have had trouble sleeping because of the irritating bug bites.

Why Are There Bed Bugs In My House?

Bed bugs can be anywhere that has a lot of people. Some of the most common public places that might have bed bugs lurking around include:

Hotels
Cruise ships
Public transportation
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Office buildings
Apartment buildings

Bed bugs are small and sneaky. Their miniature size allows them to hide in plain sight. If you set your bag down next to a bed bug, it will crawl inside and hitch a ride back to your house. They will climb onto your clothing if you get too close to it and can stay there for an extended time without your knowledge. Because bed bugs are so easy to overlook, some people will accidentally bring bed bugs into their homes when they take home second-hand furniture or clothing infested with bed bugs.