Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are insects that feed on the blood of people and animals, however they do not transmit any infectious diseases. Adult bugs are reddish-brown, flat, and oval-shaped. The eggs are pear-shaped and white, and when first-hatched, bed bugs are clear and lighter in color. These insects give off a musty, sweetish odor.
These pests typically get into your home through luggage, clothing, used furniture such as used mattresses or couches, or other personal items. Signs of a bed bug infestation include:
- Reddish or brown spots on bed sheets or mattresses from bed bug feces
- A distinct sweet, musty odor
- Red, itchy bumps on your skin from bites
If you think that you have a bed bug infestation, you can take the following steps:
- Use a vacuum cleaner, preferably HEPA-filtered, to remove the bugs and any cast skins from any areas you think the bugs might be, and continue on a weekly basis at minimum
- Discard or scrub any mattresses, then enclose in a zippered mattress cover. Wash all headboards, bed frames, and carpets.
- Use a silicone-based sealant to seal all cracks or crevices in walls, particularly within 20 feet of any spot that bed bug bites happened.
- Contact a licensed pest control operator.
- Once any bed linens, clothing, etc has been washed, place them in large plastic bags or closed bins to prevent any reinfestation.
Contact the Falmouth Health Department at (508)495-7485 or health@falmouthma.gov if you have any further questions.