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Bed Bugs Look Like..

Bed bugs are insects. They are tiny but can be observed through naked eyes; an adult one will grow to about quarter of an inch or 4mm in length and half that length in width. They are generally oval shaped with a flat tops and bottoms. Hatchlings can be as small as an apple seed. They have microscopic hairs.

On reaching adulthood they cast off their skins. Initially after the molting they are whitish or light tan in color. They turn into deep brown color or burnt orange color as the time passes. They are also semi-transparent so that blood sucked from the hosts can be seen as a black or dark red patch inside their bodies. Unlike most insects they do not develop wings at any stage of their life cycle and as such cannot fly. They tend to seek shelter or hide out in small cracks or crevices with no light.

Bed bugs are parasites. In other words they depend on another animal known as a host to live, without giving anything beneficial in return to the host. Bed bugs have evolved to feed on the blood of warm blooded animals. The two main groups of warm blooded animals they prefer are birds and mammals. The common bed bug that infest human home is scientifically known as Cimex lectularius.

Bed bugs are only one of various insects that inhabit human homes. However they can be found in almost every country in every continent. Only a small proportion of human homes are actually infested by bed bugs at present time in developed world, but recently there has been an increase in their numbers.

Bed bugs that infest human homes usually try to suck blood at night while the host is sleeping. Their bite is painless. However repeated biting will result in small lesions which are similar to the lesions resulting from mosquito bites or flea bites. The lesion is caused by the human body's reaction to the saliva that bed bug injects during the bite.

It is difficult to determine the identity of the insect from the bite marks. If residents of a house report insect bites at night the best method of determining whether there is a bed bug infestation is to find live bed bugs. In order to find them, beds and bedrooms should be minutely examined. Linings and seams on the bed linen and mattresses, crevices and corners in the bed and nearby furniture, curtains and wallpapers, are the preferred hideouts of bed bugs and where their eggs may also be found. Other signs of their presence include cast off skins, and distinctive dark red or brown marks left on the bed linen due to their feces. If there is a severe infestation, bed bugs can be detected from the odor they give off, which is rather like odor given off by coriander leaves.

Bed Bug Mattress Encasement Covers

One of the first things anyone who finds out they have a bed bug infestation should get is a mattress encasement. This is just a little bit different from the standard cover you would get that just keeps the top from getting stains on it. Rather than just going over it, it actually zips around it entirely and seals up the inside - meaning no bugs are getting in or out. The ones that still live inside will die off, because they've got no chance to get out and get any food. That will take at least six months or so and up to eighteen in extreme cases (they can live a long time without feeding). However, there really isn't anything wrong with having them in there as long as they can't bite you.

You've got two basic choices: fabric or vinyl. Fabric is generally more comfortable to sleep on and is less likely to rip. However, it costs more and can get stained. If a bed bug gets squashed, sometimes you'll get little blood spots on it and will need to wash it. Vinyl encasements are usually easier to wash, aren't going to stain, and cheaper. On the other hand, vinyl tears pretty easily, can smell weird, and isn't as comfortable to sleep on. Generally, I'd go with fabric if you can afford it. Many encasements are treated with insecticides, which will help kill them off.

If you want to buy one, you can order them online here.You will also want to get some tape and cover up any holes left around the zipper, no matter how small.

You've also got one other thing to consider: what to do about the pillows. They themselves can be a hiding place for bed bugs. There are a lot of them that you can stick in a washing machine on gentle and not have any problems with (make SURE to check this first - some could be ruined by doing that). If you can wash yours, I would recommend doing it regularly. The alternative is to get a pillow cover - it's the same thing as for the mattress, and will lock it up so bed bugs can't get inside. You still have to wash the pillowcase frequently, though.

Bed bug mattress covers can be purchased for as little as $20. Many pest control supply companies sell them on the internet. Make sure you choose one that is specifically designed for bed bug protection. If you have both a mattress and a box spring, you'll need to purchase two mattress covers. Adult bed bugs can live for well over a year without a blood meal. You'll need to leave the mattress covers on for at least that long to be sure all resident bed bugs are dead.

Mattress covers for bed bugs can be made from various materials but choose the one that will give you comfort. Avoid plastic if possible. You will sleep on your bed every single night so you want something that will be comfortable. Another thing to remember when buying covers is durability. You want something that can last if not for a lifetime, at least for the many years to come.

Although mattress covers for bed bugs made of vinyl are a lot cheaper, people still choose the ones made of fabric because of the comfort they provide. Vinyl encasements tend to tear up too easily as well. This means that even if you are able to come up cheaper, you would have to buy again in no time. The good thing about vinyl encasements though is its ease of cleaning. You can just use a damp cloth and you're ready to go. Also, they come in different forms and sizes to snuggly fit your mattress no matter what type it is.

Mattress covers for bed bugs do not only protect against bugs, termite dusts, allergens and irritants but they also tend to extend the life of your mattress. Purchasing one will let you save tons of money. In my opinion, it's wiser to buy a good cover or encasement than try to replace your mattress altogether. Not because you have a brand-new mattress, it doesn't mean that it can be infested. The key in here is getting rid of bed bugs all at once and taking some preventive measures so you won't have to deal with them ever again.

Allergy Sentry Mattress Protector

Terry Surface Fabric with Knit Sidewall; Anti-Microbial Treatment.

• '¢ Reduces dust mite allergens by 99.9%
• '¢ Breathable fabric allows air to penetrate and body heat to pass through, providing a cool sleep surface
• '¢ Super absorbent toweling quickly soaks up fluids or spills
• '¢ 100% polyester expandable skirting, fitted sheet style
• '¢ Waterproof to repel moisture and protect your mattress
• '¢ Provides protection from bacteria and dust mites living in your mattress
• '¢ Lightweight fabric does not affect the comfort/feel of your mattress
• '¢ Helpful for customers who suffer from incontinence
• '¢ Stain proofs the mattress to protect your bedding investment
• '¢ Machine washable for easy maintenance

Allergy Sentry Mattress Encasement

Terry Surface Fabric with Interlock Sidewalls and Bottom; Anti-Microbial Treatment; 6-Sided Protection; Bug Guard TM Closure System. "Our Allergy Sentry Mattress Encasement offers them a reasonably priced and effective way to keep their mattress(e's) without the concerns of bed bugs escaping to re-infest their home or property."

The Allergy Sentry Mattress Encasement is also an effective barrier against dust mites. The product features a waterproof yet breathable backing that dust mites are unable to penetrate. The company also offers a matching Box Spring Encasement that is bed bug resistant as well.

• '¢ Features patent-pending Bug Guard TM closure system that prevents the entry or escape of bed bugs and dust mites
• '¢ Anti-Microbial treatment guards against odor-causing bacteria
• '¢ Virtually eliminates the transfer of allergens
• '¢ Breathable fabric allows air to penetrate and body heat to pass through, providing a cool sleep surface
• '¢ Waterproof to repel moisture and protect your mattress
• '¢ Provides a dust mite and allergen barrier between you and your mattress
• '¢ Lightweight fabric does not affect the comfort/feel of your mattress
• '¢ Machine washable for easy maintenance
• Ensures a healthier night's sleep

Bed Bug Molting

Bed bugs must molt five times before they become adults. This is even a bigger problem when you consider that the eggs of bed bugs are transparent, which makes them difficult to find. Each time that a bed bug molts its skin, it will need a meal of blood, and this occurs five times in their lifetime. Bed bug nymphs resemble the adults but are smaller and have a pale yellow coloration after molting. The nymphs undergo five molts, becoming successively larger after each molt. Since some Bed bug nymphs may feed more successfully than others, development time may vary greatly even among nymphs from the same generation. For this reason, both adults and nymphs will usually be present throughout the year.

Newly-hatched nymphs will feed as soon as possible, then usually feed once between each molt. If left undisturbed, a Bed bug can obtain a full blood meal in 3 to 5 minutes. Bed bugs can live for 4 to 12 months without feeding. The bugs will survive longer without a meal at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures.You won't usually see bed bug activity during daylight hours, but you may see other signs of bed bugs. As nymphs molt, they leave behind their shedded skins, which accumulate as the population rises.

Bed bug excrement appears as dark spots, and crushed bed bugs will leave bloody marks on bed linens. Closely inspect your bed, mattress, box spring and head board for black or blood spotting or signs of bed bug molting or the bed bugs themselves. The best color for these items is white, white color items makes it the hardest for bed bugs to hide. Mattresses and box springs come in all colors sizes and shapes, choose white color for best ability to monitor bed bugs.

closely inspect your bed, mattress, box spring and head board for black or blood spotting or signs of bed bug molting or the bed bugs themselves. The best color for these items is white, white color items makes it the hardest for bed bugs to hide. Mattresses and box springs come in all colors sizes and shapes, choose white color for best ability to monitor bed bugs.

Bed bugs are active at night and hide during the day. After mating, females lay white, oval eggs (1/16-inch long) into cracks and crevices. An individual bed bug can lay 200-250 eggs in her lifetime. The eggs hatch in about 6-10 days and the newly emerged bed bug nymphs seek a blood meal. Immature nymphs molt five times (i.e., they shed their outer exoskeleton in order to grow) before reaching adulthood. They need to feed at least once before each molt, although they could feed as often as once a day. There may be three or more generations per year. All ages are found in a reproducing population. Immature bed bugs may live for several months without feeding while adults may survive as long as one year without a meal. Under normal circumstances, adult bed bugs will live for about ten to eleven months.

Bed Bug Network

Bed bugs are parasites that preferentially feed on humans. If people arenʼt available, they instead will feed on other warmblooded animals, including birds, rodents, bats, and pets.

Bed bugs have been documented as pests since the 17th century. They were introduced into our country by the early colonists. Bed bugs were common in the United States prior to World War II, after which time widespread use of synthetic insecticides such as DDT greatly reduced their numbers. Improvements in household and personal cleanliness as well as increased regulation of the used furniture market also likely contributed to their reduced pest status.

In the past decade, bed bugs have begun making a comeback across the United States, although they are not considered to be a major pest. The widespread use of baits rather than insecticide sprays for ant and cockroach control is a factor that has been implicated in their return. widespread use of baits rather than insecticide sprays for ant and cockroach control is a factor that has been implicated in their return. Bed bugs are blood feeders that do not feed on ant and cockroach baits. International travel and commerce are thought to facilitate the spread of these insect hitchhikers, because eggs, young, and adult bed bugs are readily transported in luggage, clothing, bedding, and furniture. Bed bugs can infest airplanes, ships, trains, and buses. Bed bugs are most frequently found in dwellings with a high rate of occupant turnover, such as hotels, motels, hostels, dormitories, shelters, apartment complexes, tenements, and prisons. Such infestations usually are not a reflection of poor hygiene or bad housekeeping.

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Bed bugs are fairly cosmopolitan. Cimex lectularius is most frequently found in the northern temperate climates of North America, Europe, and Central Asia, although it occurs sporadically in southern temperate regions. The tropical bed bug, C. hemipterus, is adapted for semitropical to tropical climates and is widespread in the warmer areas of Africa, Asia, and the tropics of North America and South America. In the United States, C. hemipterus occurs in Florida.

Please, check out the rest of our web site for more information.
The Bed Bug Pest Control Network: http://www.BedBugPestControl.net
Bed Bug Videos: http://www.BedBug.tv
Bed Bug Preparation: http://www.BedBugPreparation.com
Bed Bug Epidemic News: http://www.BedBugsEpidemic.com
Report Bed Bugs: http://www.BedBugWatch.com & http://www.BedBugsDataBase.com
Bed Bug Manual: http://www.BedBugManual.com
Bed Bug Detectors: http://www.BedBugDetectors.com
Bed Bugs Bites Photo Gallery: http://www.BedBugBites.org
Bed Bugs New York City: http://www.BedBugsNewYorkCity.com
Bed Bug Treatment: http://www.BedBugTreatment.org
Bed Bug Center: http://www.BedBugCenter.com