Bed bugs do emit a specific odour from a combination of the insect’s feces, pheromones, scent glands and cast casings. In case of sever infestation in addition to smell you can find bed bug shells. The most common description for the bed bug smell is ‘sweet’ and ‘musty’ and very often compared to the smell of coriander. The bed bug smell has also been compared to wet clothes, moldy shoes, wood, rotting raspberries and almonds.
Smelling bed bugs means you have a large infestation since a hand full of bed bugs isn’t overwhelming enough to be picked up by the human nose. Canines trained specifically to detect bed bugs are much better at catching even small infestation. Crushed bed bugs will, however, produce a stronger scent than live ones and a very large infestation has sometimes been reported to give off a minty smell.
The last decade has seen more dogs in the pest control business as these animals have a great sense of smell. In the case of bed bugs, trained dogs boast a 97% accuracy detecting bed bugs by scent.
You may want to combine the smell of the bed bugs with other signs including finding empty casings and actually seeing the pest before positive identification. Cockroaches and other common household pests give off a similar odour especially when populations are large so you may not be able to accurately diagnose bed bugs by scent alone. A bed bug Exterminator has the equipment and variety of potent active ingredients required for a rigorous treatment.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bug Odor
Bed bug odour can be overwhelming especially if you have a large infestation. The first obvious and critical solution is to get rid of the bed bugs. Nothing short of a pest control expert or exterminator can eliminate the bed bugs. They hide in crevices and cracks and are almost impossible to detect to the untrained eye. Since effective extermination requires direct treatment, it is very unlikely that you will be able to successfully treat the bed bugs.
You may need to reduce the odour while you attempt to get rid of the bed bugs. For this, you’ll have to dispose of a soiled mattress and wash fabrics including bedding and curtains around the highly infested area.
Vacuuming may help since discarded skin and dead bed bugs are contributing to the unpleasant smell. Vinegar helps to absorb odours so mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas with the worst odours and open windows and doors to ventilate the room. This should settle most of the odours in a few hours to a few days.
While still on the subject of bed bug smell, a recent study revealed that bed bugs are two times more likely to aggregate in soiled clothing than in clean clothing. This means that you should treat your soiled clothes carefully while travelling, preferably by sealing them in a plastic bag before putting back in the luggage. Avoid leaving the soiled clothing on the hotel floor or anywhere else you suspect there might be bed bugs.
Hire a Professional to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs in Toronto are notoriously difficult to exterminate and many professionals report this as the number one most difficult pest to exterminate. These critters hide in cervices and other difficult to reach areas making it impossible to reach them with regular DIY extermination methods.
You’ll need ongoing monitoring and additional treatments where required so it is best to contract an expert to get the job done right from the beginning and save you valuable time and money. Insist on a warranty before signing the contract for the pest control service.
