Identifying bedbugs in Kansas City can be difficult because they are quite small, although it is a myth that they are invisible to the naked eye. The adults of the species can grow up to about ¼ inch. The nymphs can be as small as a pinhead and are lighter in color, and thus more difficult to see. The eggs are even smaller and can be very difficult to spot.
How To Identify Bedbugs
There are many bugs that resemble bedbugs, so accurate identification is a critical first step to avoid costly treatment for the wrong pest.
The young (also called nymphs), in general, are:
- Tiny, translucent, or whitish-yellow in color.
- if not recently fed, can be nearly invisible to the naked eye because of coloring and size.
Adults are:
- about the size of an apple seed (5-7 mm.)
- long and brown, with a flat, oval-shaped body (if not fed recently.)
- balloon-like, reddish-brown, and more elongated (if fed recently.)
- a “true bug” (characteristics of true bugs include a beak with three segments; antennae that have four parts; wings that are not used for flying; and short, golden-colored hairs.)
- smelly, with a “musty-sweetish” odor produced through glands on the lower side of the body.
Eggs, in general, are:
- tiny, the size of a pinhead.
- pearl-white in color.
- marked by an eyespot if more than five days old.
Bedbugs in Kansas City turn a mahogany or rusty brown color upon reaching maturity. They have 6 legs and a set of underdeveloped, non-functional wings. There are several pests that can be mistaken for them, including bat bugs, a newly hatched cockroach, wood ticks (also known as dog ticks), carpet beetles, and spider beetles.
Signs Of Bedbugs In Kansas City
The most obvious sign of an infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks – often several in a row – on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as two weeks to develop in some people so it is important to look for other signs of bedbugs in Kansas City homes and businesses. These clues may include:
- Exoskeletons left after molting.
- Bedbugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets.
- Rust-colored blood spots left by the blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture.
- A sweet musty odor.
Free Inspection From Bedbug Experts
An infestation of bedbugs in Kansas City requires the assistance of a pest professional and is not something a homeowner can handle on their own. Milberger Pest Control technicians have been specially trained to inspect each room thoroughly for the presence of bed bugs, and to target treat the sites where they are located.
If you suspect bed bugs in your home, contact Milberger Pest Control promptly. They will perform a free inspection, confirm the species, and recommend a course of treatment.
For more information, call Milberger Pest Control at (816) 761-1313 in Missouri and (913) 384-6760 in Kansas, or click here to request your free inspection.
