Bed Bugs – Penn State Extension
All members of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) family feed on the blood of birds or mammals. The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, attacks man, as does the Eastern bat bed bug, Cimex adjunctus. Bed bugs are active only at night, usually just before dawn. During the day, they hide in cracks and crevices in walls, floors, beds, and furniture. When only a few bed bugs are present, they live close to human sleeping areas; when numerous, they can be found in many rooms of the house. A characteristic "bed bug odor" is frequently present in a home infested with bed bugs.
Bed bugs are oval, chestnut-brown insects and are flattened from top to bottom. Adult bed bugs measure about inch in length.
Adult bed bug
The mouthparts are shaped into an elongated proboscis, which, when not in use, is held directed backward underneath the body. When a bug is ready to feed, the proboscis is extended forward and the stylets within are thrust into the skin of a host. Mated female bed bugs deposit their eggs in their resting places. One female will produce about 345 eggs during her lifespan.
The bugs grow by molting several times. Nymphs look very much like the adults, except they are smaller and not sexually mature. There are five nymphal molts, and each nymph must have a blood meal to be able to molt to the next stage. Adults feed once a week on average but feed many times during their four-month or longer lifespan.
It is common for bed bugs to come into a home via secondhand articles and furniture. They may also migrate between homes via wires, plumbing, or rain gutters. In addition, since warehouses, trucks, and railroad cars may be infested, common bed bugs can infest homes by stowing away on new furniture stored or shipped from these places. People frequently carry the bugs home in luggage from infested hotels and vacation rentals.
The Eastern bat bed bug comes into homes in the spring with colonies of bats. They can be found in the living quarters of homes in many of the same places as common bed bugs, but the source of the infestation is located within walls or attic areas.
Adult bed bug
Despite the fact that the bed bug can acquire many human disease organisms during feeding, there have been no documented cases of disease transmission as a result of bites. However, their bites can produce irritating, itching, and burning sensations. Bed bugs feed rapidly, becoming engorged in less than ten minutes. The act of biting is usually not felt, but later there is an allergic reaction to the protein found in the bed bug's saliva. A colorless wheal or lump develops at the bite location; in contrast, flea bites have reddish centers. Discomfort from bed bug bites may last a week or more. Occasional bites indicate a beginning light infestation of adults; many bites result from a heavy, long-standing population of nymphs and adults.
Note: It is not advisable for homeowners to attempt to treat for bed bugs. Most of the necessary insecticides are only for sale to and use by professional pest-management companies. If homeowners try to control these bugs with over-the-counter products, the bed bugs likely will become dispersed, resulting in a more difficult treatment required at a later date.
Bed bugs become established in structures when they hitch a ride in boxes, baggage, furniture, bedding, laundry, and in and on clothing worn by people coming from infested sites. Poultry workers can carry bed bugs to their residences from their places of work. Bat bugs, poultry bugs, swallow bugs, and others are typically transported to new roosts by the principal host. An accurate identification of the bed bug species involved is essential to an effective control strategy. Many control failures can be traced to an incorrect identification.
Bed bugs hides in cracks, crevices, and seams during the day. They prefer narrow crevices with a rough surface where their legs and backs touch the opposing surfaces. Bed bugs have difficulty climbing polished glass surfaces. Wood and paper surfaces are preferred to either stone, metal, or plaster; however, in the absence of preferred sites or during high population numbers, the latter will also be utilized. The aforementioned cracks and crevices should be filled with appropriate fillers, such as caulking.
Bugs will sometimes hide in the crevices of upholstered furniture and mattresses created by folds, buttons, and cording. Thoroughly vacuum all upholstery--including the undersides--mattresses, and pillows. Launder bedding and dry in a warm air dryer. Mattresses, upholstered furniture, and cushions can be treated with "dry" steam. It is best to use two professional-grade steamers with low vapor flow rates, each with one-gallon capacities. This allows one unit to always be hot between water refills. The steam should exit through a wand with multiple ports to reduce the risk of blowing the bugs out of their hiding places. Using an infrared thermometer, make certain that the area just treated is at least 176F. (80C). Depending on the steam unit used, the wand should pass over the surface of the fabric at about a foot every ten seconds.
Two products, Bedlam (phenothrin w/ pyrodone) and Sterifab (phenothrin w/ isopropanol), are registered for application to mattresses, pet bedding, carpets, and other sensitive areas as allowed by the labeling. Bedlam has been shown to have ovicidal properties with up to 90 percent of bed bug eggs not hatching. Both materials have excellent contact kill and demonstrate residual activity for up to seven days.
Pesticides can be applied to cracks and crevices of dressers, wooden bed frames and headboards, door and window trim, baseboards, and similar sites. Three classes of insecticides are reviewed:
Consideration should be given to the fact that people typically spend in excess of eight hours per day in the bedroom. If the insecticides are properly applied, there should be little risk of exposure.
Recent studies have demonstrated that some populations of bed bugs are exhibiting resistance/tolerance to several of the more commonly used synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. However, the microencapsulated materials such as Onslaught (esfenvalerate) and Demand CS (lamba-cyhalothrin), and a suspended concentrate, Suspend SC (deltamethrin), can offer rapid reduction of susceptible populations. Bed bugs have not shown resistance to a relatively new material, Phantom (chlorfenapyr). However, chlorfenapyr may require ten days kill the bugs.
During this ten-day period it is important to realize that the bugs may still be active and females may wander and deposit viable eggs in other locations. These products are injected or sprayed into cracks and crevices or bed frames, baseboards, dressers and drawers, and as spot treatments to carpet along walls. An insect growth regulator, (S)-hydroprene (Gentrol), interferes with the bugs' development and renders the adults sterile. Since it does not kill adults or nymphs it must be used in conjunction with a contact insecticide such as Phantom, Suspend, Demand, and so forth. Gentrol is applied to the same locations as these contact insecticides. Heat treatments, in conjunction with insecticides, is a very effective strategy to control bed bugs.
For bed bug infestations other than the common bed bug, C. lectularius, the bird or bat that has occupied the structure should be removed and measures taken to prevent the reentry of the animals. The materials listed for the common bed bug will also control the other species, providing that treatment considerations be given to the potential harborages (e.g., crevices between rafters, cracks in chimney flues) that will differ from the common bed bug.
Pesticides are poisonous. Please read and follow the directions and safety precautions on the labels. Handle them carefully and store them in their original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Dispose of the empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. Do not contaminate forage, streams, and ponds.
Authored by: Steve Jacobs, Sr. Extension Associate
April 2003, Revised February 2015
See the rest here:
Bed Bugs - Penn State Extension
- How to Make a Homemade Bed Bug Killer Spray With Vinegar - December 22nd, 2024
- Sixty Years Ago, We Nearly Wiped Out Bed Bugs. Then, They Started Changing - December 22nd, 2024
- Norovirus: Symptoms, Prevention, and When to See a Doctor | NGPG - December 22nd, 2024
- Man arrested after posting video of himself spraying bug killer on ... - December 22nd, 2024
- How to get rid of bed bugs in apartment buildings - Rentokil - December 22nd, 2024
- Video shows man spraying bug spray on produce, chicken at AZ Walmart - December 22nd, 2024
- Bug Ego - Wikipedia - December 22nd, 2024
- DHHS Workers, Administration Disagree on Whether Bed Bugs Are Rampant - Midcoast Villager - December 22nd, 2024
- How to use cinnamon to get rid of household pests - Ideal Home - December 22nd, 2024
- Sixty Years Ago, We Nearly Wiped Out Bed Bugs. Then, They Started Changing - ZME Science - December 20th, 2024
- Bedbugs Are Stronger Than Ever and Scientists Just Found Out Why - VICE - December 20th, 2024
- Bed Bugs & Dirty Clothes - PCT Online - December 20th, 2024
- Biologists Discover What Makes Bed Bugs Uniquely Hard to Kill With Insecticides - Gizmodo - December 20th, 2024
- Bug Tech selects single mother as its free bed bug treatment recipient - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com - December 18th, 2024
- Bed Bugs | Backyard Farmer | Nebraska - byf.unl.edu - December 17th, 2024
- Hotel Worker Reveals the Telltale Sign of Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room Mattress - Green Matters - December 17th, 2024
- She Tells Her Sister To Be Careful About Visiting Their Parents Bed Bug Infested House, But Her Sister Thinks Shes Just Being Paranoid - Twisted... - December 13th, 2024
- She Tells Her Sister To Be Careful About Visiting Their Parents Bed Bug Infested House, But Her Sister Thinks Shes Just Being Paranoid - Twisted... - December 13th, 2024
- Sacrifice and Survival - PCT Online - December 13th, 2024
- Sacrifice and Survival - PCT Online - December 13th, 2024
- Do bed bugs have a favorite colour? - The Indian Express - December 13th, 2024
- Do bed bugs have a favorite colour? - The Indian Express - December 13th, 2024
- John Mulaney accidentally texted Miguel about having bed bugs instead of his director: 'I have red bites' - Entertainment Weekly News - December 11th, 2024
- John Mulaney accidentally texted Miguel about having bed bugs instead of his director: 'I have red bites' - Entertainment Weekly News - December 11th, 2024
- Myrtle Beach area resort infested with bed bugs, new SC lawsuit alleges. Here are the details - Myrtle Beach Sun News - December 11th, 2024
- Myrtle Beach area resort infested with bed bugs, new SC lawsuit alleges. Here are the details - Myrtle Beach Sun News - December 11th, 2024
- Myrtle Beach area resort infested with bed bugs, new SC lawsuit alleges. Here are the details - SCNow - December 11th, 2024
- Myrtle Beach area resort infested with bed bugs, new SC lawsuit alleges. Here are the details - SCNow - December 11th, 2024
- Residents in housing block say they are 'living in hell' over 'bed bug epidemic' - MSN - December 11th, 2024
- Myrtle Beach area resort infested with bed bugs, new SC lawsuit alleges. Here are the details - Yahoo! Voices - December 9th, 2024
- Residents in housing block say they are 'living in hell' over 'bed bug epidemic' - Metro.co.uk - December 9th, 2024
- Are bed bugs attracted to certain colours? - The Indian Express - December 6th, 2024
- Alexandria Eberhardt on Ireland, bed bugs, and that hilarious time a soft serve swirl cone was simply not possible - The Boston Globe - December 6th, 2024
- ITCHY? New Jersey is Literally Surrounded by Bed Bugs - Here's Where - 943thepoint.com - December 6th, 2024
- Bedbugs Could Be More Horrifying Than You Think - The Atlantic - December 4th, 2024
- Huge bed bugs infestation in Tenerife as Brits warned of 'horrendous' conditions - The Mirror - December 4th, 2024
- Tower block tenants trapped in 'living nightmare' by bed bug infestations: 'I'm riddled with them' - The Big Issue - December 4th, 2024
- Gestion Supreme is Bringing Advanced Pest Control Solutions to the Greater Montreal Area - EIN News - December 4th, 2024
- Bed bugs blighted London's hospitals more than 500 times over a 7-year period - Metro.co.uk - December 4th, 2024
- Affordable Bed Bug Exterminators Wins the 2024 Quality Business - openPR - December 3rd, 2024
- Jet2 holidaymakers forced to bin luggage and fumigate house after claiming bed bugs 'followed' them back to UK - NationalWorld - December 3rd, 2024
- Stalker 2: How to Fix Hot on the Trail Bug - Prima Games - December 1st, 2024
- Question of the Week Spined Soldier Bug - December 1st, 2024
- Roblox Rivals update 7 patch notes: New weapons, bug ... - Destructoid - December 1st, 2024
- Bug (Breaking Bad) - Wikipedia - November 29th, 2024
- How to fix the STALKER 2 save bug SiegeGG - November 29th, 2024
- New York Enacts Law Mandating Landlord Notifications for Bed Bug Infestations within 72 Hours - Hoodline - November 29th, 2024
- Bugs in her body: Disturbing details revealed as 3 charged in death of Brockton woman face judge - Yahoo! Voices - November 29th, 2024
- Ongoing bed bug issue at a Timmins apartment building is 'like living in hell' - CTV News Northern Ontario - November 29th, 2024
- Bed bug battle continues in Timmins - CTV News Northern Ontario - November 29th, 2024
- Nasty bed bugs ruined couples vacation and followed them home (Video) - New York Post - November 26th, 2024
- There's a new law for New York landlords about bed bug infestations: What to know - NBC New York - November 26th, 2024
- Womans body had to be surgically removed from cockroach and feces-infested mattress after her skin got ... - The US Sun - November 26th, 2024
- Elderly woman dies after being surgically removed from mattress infested with cockroaches and bedbugs - The Mirror - November 26th, 2024
- 3 of Idahos Favorite Holiday Destinations Are Crawling With Bed Bugs - 107.9 LITE FM - November 26th, 2024
- New law requires NY landlords to notify tenants of bed bugs within 72 hours - Brick Underground - November 26th, 2024
- New York passes law requiring landlords to notify tenants of bed bug infestations - FOX 5 New York - November 26th, 2024
- Effective ways to manage bed bug bites this summer - IOL - November 26th, 2024
- New law forces landlords to notify tenants of bed bug infestations in NY - MSN - November 26th, 2024
- The One Piece of Bedding That Can Make Your Mattress Last for Years - Yahoo Life - November 26th, 2024
- Elderly woman surgically removed from mattress infested with cockroaches, bedbugs and feces - The Mirror US - November 26th, 2024
- Beating the bugs - FMJ - November 26th, 2024
- Your NY landlord is now required to tell you there are bedbugs in the building within 72 hours of discovery - Time Out - November 26th, 2024
- Ambush Bug - Wikipedia - November 25th, 2024
- New law forces landlords to notify tenants of bed bug infestations in NY - PIX11 New York News - November 25th, 2024
- Bed Bug Bites: Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention - Life Pathdoc - November 25th, 2024
- New law forces landlords to notify tenants of bed bug infestations in NY - AOL - November 25th, 2024
- NY to require landlords to notify tenants of bedbugs within 72 hours - Gothamist - November 25th, 2024
- 3 charged in death of elderly woman found stuck to mattress infested with cockroaches, bedbugs and feces: Prosecutors - Law & Crime - November 25th, 2024
- 3 Mass. women charged after woman covered in feces and bugs dies - MassLive.com - November 25th, 2024
- University dining hall inspected after bug found in food - November 23rd, 2024
- Sui Network Back Up After Scheduling Bug Leads to Two-Hour ... - CoinDesk - November 23rd, 2024
- Google Uses AI to Discover 20-Year-Old Software Bug - PCMag - November 23rd, 2024
- Bed bug infestation in Essex assisted living rooms as residents handed 342 bill - Daily Gazette - November 23rd, 2024
- Bug Bounty Basics - Pluralsight - November 23rd, 2024
- How-to Guide: Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Beyond the Beehive - The Independent - November 23rd, 2024
- From Iceland Cockroach And Bed Bug Population Escalating In Iceland - Reykjavk Grapevine - November 21st, 2024
- AAD Reading Room | Fresh Guidance on Scabies, Bedbugs, and Body Lice - Medpage Today - November 21st, 2024
- This is the latest holiday hotspot 'plagued' by bed bugs - what's caused the surge? - NationalWorld - November 21st, 2024
- Rise of the Resistance - PCT Online - November 19th, 2024