How Long Can You Have Bed Bugs Without Noticing Them?
The first step in treating bed bug infestations is identifying the source of the infestation. This should be done when you buy new furniture. Check for welts and other signs of bed bugs. If you find these, you should call a professional for a more effective treatment.
Bed bugs often leave stains on furniture and mattresses. This is due to the fecal matter they produce while gorging on blood. You may even notice stains on paint or wallpaper. The bugs poop as soon as they feed, so you may not notice them immediately.
Female bed bugs lay up to 200 to 500 tiny white eggs in their lifetime. Each of these eggs hatches within seven to ten days. These eggs can develop into adult bed bugs in about five weeks under favorable conditions. After hatching, the bugs are able to reproduce as long as they have a regular blood meal. Once they reach adulthood, they mate with male bugs.
In order to diagnose a bed bug infestation, you must first identify the source of the infestation. Bed bugs can hide during the day and feed at night. Their presence in your home can be difficult to detect and you may not realize that you have an infestation until it’s too late.