| Latin Name | Cimex lectularius |
| Length | Less than 7mm |
| Colour | Rusty-brown, reddish-brown after fed |
| Common Sighting | Mattress folds |
| Latin Name | Cimex lectularius |
| Length | Less than 7mm |
| Colour | Rusty-brown, reddish-brown after fed |
| Common Sighting | Mattress folds |
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Bed Bugs Pest Control Services in Singapore
At PestClinic, we specialise in bed bug pest control services in Singapore at competitive prices. Our team of skilled technicians adopt effective treatment methods to locate and control bed bug infestations, preventing further damage and restoring the hygiene and comfort of your property. Trust us to deliver the best bed bug pest control services in Singapore at a reasonable price, and say goodbye to bed bugs when you engage in our bed bug control solutions today.
Signs of Bed Bugs Infestation
Exoskeletons of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs moult and grow, losing their skins (or exoskeletons) along the way. Often translucent, these exoskeletons may look like empty shells of the bugs. You may commonly find them in areas where bed bugs like to hide, including the crevices of your furniture, along the edges of your bedding, or in the seams of your mattress. You can gauge the extent of the infestation by the number of exoskeletons you come across. Should you notice a growing number of exoskeletons, the chances are that the infestation is becoming worse, and bed bugs are continuing to grow and reproduce.
Live bed bugs on your mattresses and sheets
One of the easiest ways to tell if you have a bed bug infestation is to find live bed bugs on your mattresses and bed sheets. These small insects, which resemble apple seeds in size, are often visible to the naked eye. Bed bugs emerge from their hiding places to become more active at night, feeding on the blood of their hosts. If you notice live bed bugs crawling on your sheets, mattress, or other surfaces, it is a clear indication that there is an infestation present in the home.
Rust–coloured spots from their bloody faecal material that they excrete after feeding
After consuming blood, bed bugs produce waste that appears as tiny, rust-coloured stains on mattresses, furniture, and bedding. These spots may indicate the presence of bed bugs, especially if they appear along seams or in clusters – common places for bed bugs to hide. When touched, the spots may also smear, which might be a very clear sign of their source.
A musty and sweet odour
Scent glands on bed bugs provide a unique musty odour that can be particularly detectable in places with a heavy infestation. Even if you don’t see any bed bugs, the smell can still be recognised and is frequently characterised as sweet or sickly-sweet. Bed bugs generate pheromones, chemicals they use to communicate with one another and the primary reason for the musty odour. In essence, the pheromones are a way for bed bugs to mark their territory, draw other bed bugs to a specific area, or signal one another. The intensity of the odour can be a sign of how severe the infestation is. The smell in strongly infested places can be overpowering and very repulsive. However, with less severe infestations, the smell could be quite faint and challenging to detect.
Bites that come in straight lines or tight clusters
The majority of the time, bed bug bites are painless and may not be spotted right away. However, they can turn into itchy welts that can be arranged in a line or tight clusters. The linear feeding habits of bed bugs – which frequently bite numerous times in a row – lead to the straight-line or cluster pattern of bites. It is important to note that not everyone experiences a visible reaction to bed bug bites; in fact, some people may not experience any apparent reaction at all.
What are the Bed Bugs Pest Control Methods in Singapore?
- A thorough inspection will be carried out to identify the nesting area
- pesticide residual sprayed over the entire house: including all mattress, bed frames, skirtings, cracks and crevices, gaps, electrical trunking etc, at our recommended interval for the control of bed bugs
Bed Bugs Pest Control Prevention Tips
In order to avoid a bed bug infestation in the first place, it’s vital to take precautions, as they can be difficult and a persistent nuisance to get rid of. Here are some suggestions for preventing bed bugs:
- Wash your clothing and bedding regularly in hot water and dry on high heat to eliminate bed bugs.
- Vacuuming all cracks and crevices, including under furniture, regularly can help remove bed bugs or eggs that may be hiding in your home.
- Seal any cracks or crevices with caulk to prevent bed bugs from entering.
- When travelling, be sure to inspect hotel rooms and other accommodations, as bed bugs can hitch a ride on your luggage and other items.
- Reduce clutter as much as possible in your home, as bed bugs thrive in cluttered environments.
- Encase your mattresses in protective covers designed to keep bed bugs out.
- When buying secondhand clothing and furniture, inspect the items carefully before bringing them into the house.
Impact of Bed Bugs Infestation
Bed bugs do not transmit diseases to people or cause structural damage to buildings like many other pests do. That said, they can still have several negative effects on humans since they feed on human blood. The following are some impacts of a bed bug infestation:
Mental health impact
The anxiety and stress brought on by a bed bug infestation can drastically impact a person’s mental health. An infestation of bed bugs can disrupt sleep, leading to irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Additionally, it might cause feelings of embarrassment, loneliness, and stigma.
Damage to property
Unlike termites and rats, bed bugs do not harm the structure of a building, but they can damage the property’s aesthetics. Blood flecks and bed bug droppings can be seen all throughout a strongly infested property, including on the mattresses, bed frames, and walls. If the stains cannot be removed, owners will need to replace the items. Moreover, the walls may also need to be repainted, which can also be expensive.
Allergic reactions
Bed bug bites do not cause danger to humans. Some individuals don’t even respond to the bites at all. Nonetheless, those who develop allergic reactions to bed bug bites may experience excruciating swelling or severe itching in the area of the bites. In this case, seeking medical help will be necessary to reduce allergy symptoms.
Quick Facts on Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs, or Cimex Lectularius, are widely known as very annoying biting pests. They are one of the world’s most common pests and also pose a nuisance to people in Singapore and across the globe. Their primary source of food is blood, and they feed almost exclusively on human blood. As their name suggests, they primarily infest beds or areas near beds, in order to feed while you are asleep. They can be present in hotels and various other lodging establishments in Singapore.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Here are a few facts to identify bed bugs:
- The size and shape of adult bed bugs are comparable to that of apple seeds.
- When unfed, they are oval in shape, long, brown, and flat; after feeding, they enlarge and acquire a crimson hue.
- Young bed bugs are whitish-yellow and even tinier. They can’t be seen with the naked eye if they haven’t been fed in a while.
- They have two antennae and six legs and are about 0.5 cm long.
- The eggs of a bed bug are pearl-white and pinhead-sized and resemble a tiny, pale poppy seed.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Apart from infesting your bed, bed bugs are also extremely tricky customers. Their flat shapes and minuscule sizes allow them to hide almost anywhere. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding and can be found in a variety of locations, including:
- Walls: Door hinges and frames, smoke alarms, chandeliers, posters and pictures, curtains and rods, window frames, electrical outlets and sockets, and the like.
- Furniture: Pet beds, children’s toys, books and bookshelves, chairs, desks, tables, cushions, couches, and the like.
- Bed: Footboard, headboard, bed frame, pillows, pillowcases, and more.
- Next to the bed: Dressers, nightstands, storage boxes, and more.
What Do Bed Bugs Feed On?
They require blood in order to reproduce and complete their life cycle. Both male and female bed bugs feed on blood. Repeatedly feeding on blood, coined as blood meals, happens throughout their lives. Female bed bugs require blood to develop and lay eggs, which may reach a number as high as 500 over the course of their lives.
How To Identify Bed Bug Bites?
Bed bug bites are not immediately painful, and most typically don’t even register that they are bitten instantly, as they don’t feel any pain or irritation on the spot. However, bed bug bites produce red welts that can become extremely itchy.
| Bed Bugs | Mosquitos | |
| Location | They can appear anywhere on the hands, arms, face, and neck. | Similar to bed bugs bites, they can appear anywhere on the body. However, mosquito bites are often on exposed skin instead. |
| Appearance | Small, raised bumps that may occur up to 14 days following the initial bite, frequently in a straight line or clusters. | White or reddish bumps that may appear a few minutes after the initial bite. |
| Symptoms | From mild itching to anaphylactic shock for those with a life-threatening allergic reaction. | From mild to moderate itching; swelling near the bite area. |
PestClinic – Professional and Trusted Bed Bugs Control Services in Singapore
Bed bugs are a common household pest that can cause irritation and discomfort for those affected by them. At PestClinic, we offer effective bed bug control services to eliminate bed bug infestations from your home or business.
Our skilled pest control technicians target bed bugs at all stages of development, from eggs to adult insects, by combining tried-and-true methods with cutting-edge technology. To determine the degree of the infestation, we thoroughly inspect the affected area before developing a treatment plan tailored to your individual requirements.
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