What Are Bed Bugs? Bed Bug Facts Identification
Bedbugs are small, nocturnal, wingless insects belonging to the insect family of Cimicidae. They feed on humans and other warm blooded animals. They are an oval shape and are up to 4-5 mm long when fully grown. Adult bed bugs have a flattened body and their skin colour is either rust brown or a deeper red brown. Nymph bed bugs are clear or a yellowish colour and are generally 1-4mm long. Bed bugs have two antennae and six legs. Red more on what a bed bug looks like.
Bed bugs have been known to travel over 20 feet from hiding in order to feed butwill generally hide within 3-6 feet of their host.
Due to the flattened body of a bed bug they can easily hide in small places such as baseboards, cracks in floors, under carpets, behind loose wallpaper, bed frames, sofas, behind picture frames and many other places which makes them very difficult to detect. They tend to stay together and large infestations will give off a sweet but unpleasant smell.
Read more about the bed bug life stages
The combination of re-introduction, increased international travel and the fact that pest control professionals no longer use older pesticides (such as DDT, Chlordane and Lindane) means that bed bugs have been able to stage a resurgence and become a very serious pest in the 21st century. They have a unique ability to hide and due to their ability to spread, new inspection and control methods must be far more thorough and extensive than with many other pests.
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that live near their hosts. Since they feed on humans (their hosts) their habitats include houses, hotels or any property that we frequent. All they require is a protected area in close proximity to a feeding source. Bed bugs bite people when they are sleeping usually on exposed skin. When looking for a meal bed bugs can move very quickly to feed and then back into hiding after their meal. Unless you know specifically how to look for bed bugs these pests can be easily overlooked.
Bed bug bites can also go unnoticed, and are even often misdiagnosed, making detection that much more difficult.
Bed bugs do not cling to people but they can accidentally get caught up in our belongings (i.e. suitcase, purse, laptop bags). From there they can move from their current home into new ones in homes, hotels, offices, hospitals, or any other building as well as modes of transportation. Sanitation and cleanliness of a property is not an issue as bed bugs are notorious hitch hikers and can show up almost anywhere.
Even the cleanest of places can fall victim to bed bugs and once inside they spread rapidly. Bed bugs are great hitch hikers and easily travel from place to place in someones personal belongings or luggage.
Bed bugs do not pose any health risks from communicable diseases but their saliva does contain proteins that can leave itchy red welts on some people.
If you suspect bed bugs, or want to be proactive, look for live or dead bugs or the skins they can leave behind when they are molting. After feeding bed bugs will regularly leave behind small spots of reddish-black fecal matter on your bedding, mattress or box springs. They will lay their eggs (1/32 to 1/8 in size) in dark crevices near feeding areas. Learn more about bed bug signs in your home.
Bed bugs are not limited to any one particular kind of dwelling. They have been found in houses, multi-family dwellings, apartments, hotels, airplanes and hospitals. Sanitation or cleanliness is not an issue in where you can find bed bugs.
Bed bugs never really left. They are common in many nations around the world. We are seeing a resurgence in North America for several reasons including a reduced use of pesticides, the use of second hand furniture and increased international travel as bed bugs are notorious hitch hikers.
Bed bugs do not cling to people but they arenotorious hitch hikers andcan hide in our belongings (i.e. suitcase, purse, laptop bags). From there they can be introduced into a home, hotel, office, hospital, or any other building as well as modes of transportation. Sanitation is not a factor in whether or not you get bed bugs.
Once established, bed bugs tend to stay put but can spread due to any of the following;
QUESTION: True or false: bed bugs are only found in dirty places.
ANSWER: False. Cleanliness of a property is not an issue as bed bugs are notorious hitch hikers and can show up almost anywhere. Even the cleanest of places can fall victim to bed bugs and once inside they spread rapidly.
Schedule a Bed Bug Inspection
Want to learn more about bed bugs? Click one of the links below:
View post:
Bed Bug Facts: Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
- Bed Bugs! Yuck, Vancouver watch out! [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- A Growing Problem in BC [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Shelters that house 600 scheduled to close next week – Vancouver Sun [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Blog: Bed Bugs in Downtown Vancouver Condos [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs in Downtown Vancouver Condos [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Viddler.com – Bed Bugs in Downtown Vancouver Condos – Uploaded by … [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Bed bugs in Regina; cost of thermal treatments coming down — Got ... [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Vancouver Island Getaway: Tofino & Victoria | Canada Forum ... [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2010]
- Centre reopens after bedbug blitz – Vancouver Sun [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2010]
- inFLIGHTout - San Francisco Bay Area: The Safety and Cleanliness ... [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2010]
- Roy speaks about horrible living conditions in Vancouver Downtown ... [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs,Soon Coming to a Home Near you--or Perhaps Yours. [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2010]
- How to avoid pests from home and yards? [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- Rid of Bugs - Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs in the News – CBC Vancouver [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- Winning Tactics to get rid of bed bugs [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- Let your house be free from pests by various pest control mechanisms [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- How To Fight Against Fleas In Your Home? [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- Avoid troubles of frequent pests attack by using pest exterminator [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- Troubles of repeated Termites invasion [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- How to kill bed bugs | MNN - Mother Nature Network [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- vancouver: Living With Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs – everything you need to know article from USA Today ... [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2010]
- How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Vancouver [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2010]
- Does Bed Bug Resurgence Warrant Change in Tenant Screening? [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2010]
- Beer, Bed Bugs and a Few First Impressions - Vancouver, Canada ... [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2010]
- special education : [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2010]
- Bed bugs continue infestation across North America - News1130 [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2010]
- Bed bugs continue infestation across North America [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2010]
- A New Tool To Gain the Upper Hand in Controlling Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs in Vancouver | Vancouver Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2010]
- Parameters for picking up the right exterminator Vancouver [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2010]
- What is bed bugs Vancouver and how to get rid of them? :ThaiBureau ... [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2010]
- Gentrification in Vancouver BC [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2010]
- Gentrification in Vancouver, Canada - Infoshop News [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2010]
- How To Destroy Bed Bugs | Article Drop [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2010]
- Learn exactly how to get rid of wasps [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2010]
- Video: Bed bugs found at SFU | Metro Vancouver News Blog [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2010]
- Video: Bed bugs found at SFU | Metro Vancouver News Blog « Bed ... [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2010]
- Two dead in single car crash in southern B.C. | Metro Vancouver ... [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2010]
- Simple Ways to Control Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Dior Girl » News & Notes [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Blog Archive Company set to freeze out bed bugs – Coquitlam Now ... [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Blog Archive Bed bugs continue infestation across North America ... [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Blog Archive Bed bugs mean big business for Canadian distributor ... [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Ritzy Taste on a HoJo Budget « zona pellucida [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs in Vancouver – How to Prevent Them From Coming to You [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2010]
- Bed bugs keep Calgary exterminators hopping [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2010]
- Fruit Fly Larvae « Pest Control Company, Professional Exterminator … [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2010]
- Winning Tactics to get rid of bed bugs | Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2010]
- Bedbug Infestation « Pest Control Company, Professional ... [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2010]
- Bed Bugs in Downtown Vancouver Condos | Bed Bug Infestation [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2010]
- Is It True That Bed Bug Infestations Are On The Rise? [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2010]
- What Can You Do About Bed Bugs? [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2010]
- Pest Control in Vancouver WA | Your Health Matters [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2010]
- Pest Control in Vancouver WA « Get The Word Out [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2010]
- Pest Control in Vancouver WA : CVN Money [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2010]
- Pest Control in Vancouver WA « Linknet Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2010]
- Alley Finds: Wood Side Table — Vancouver Is Awesome [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Hotels, landlords told bed bugs remain a threat [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs Creep Oe Out ! [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2010]
- Good night, sleep tight: bed bugs have begun to bite in homes ... [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2010]
- Bed Bug Registry | See videos, tweets and blogs on Bed Bug ... [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2010]
- bed bug registry | Breaking News [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs in Downtown Vancouver Condos – 3237th Edition [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs are in Comforters « Pest Control Company, Professional ... [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2010]
- Winning Tactics to get rid of bed bugs | Bed Bugs Signs [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2010]
- Bed bugs are in Offices « Pest Control Company, Professional ... [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2010]
- Steritech Launches SleepEasy™ Thermal Chamber to Quickly Kill Bed ... [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2010]
- Steritech bed bugs - Beta Dao Blogs [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2010]
- How to Avoid Costly Home Repairs - Walletpop Canada [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2010]
- Pharisee church pastor calls bed bugs “God's wingless angels to ... [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2010]
- Pharisee church pastor calls bed bugs “God's wingl - Blogspot [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2010]
- Evolution of bed bugs [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs Vancouver [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2010]
- Foam Mattresses Vancouver | Buy Mattresses Online | Huge Sale On ... [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2010]
- Bed Bugs « Pest Control in Vancouver Wa – Peak Pest Management [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2010]
- Welfare Wednesday – Vancouver, Canada - Eliminate Bed Bugs | Bed ... [Last Updated On: December 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2010]
- Pest control company help to exterminate carpenter ants [Last Updated On: December 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2010]
- Types of bedbugs and their control [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2010]
- Types of bedbugs and their control « Door furniture, Brass door ... [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2010]