Cimex lectularius
Color: Reddish brown. Eggs are white.
Size: 4-7mm
Notes: bed bugs are not dangerous as they do not carry diseases. They may leave you with small red bumps from bites, but you are not at a risk of becoming sick.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs and their relatives have evolved as nest parasites. Certain kinds inhabit bird nests and bat roosts and await the return of their hosts, and others have adapted well to living in our houses.
Their color ranges from nearly white (just after molting) or light tan to deep brown or burnt orange. The host’s blood may appear as a dark red or black mass within the bug’s body. Because they never develop wings, bed bugs cannot fly. When disturbed, bed bugs quickly seek shelter in dark cracks and crevices. Cast-off skins of bed bugs are sometimes discovered. Although such a finding confirms that bed bugs were present at some point, it does not confirm that any continue to infest the residence. Thus, inspect carefully for live crawling bed bugs. Because many other kinds of small brown insects may be discovered, it is critical to ensure that the bugs are correctly identified.
Bed bugs are increasingly becoming a problem within residences of all kinds, including homes, apartments, hotels, cruise ships, dormitories, and shelters. We have drafted this document to provide basic information about the biology and health significance of these pests, and to offer guidance on how to safely and effectively manage an infested residence.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Bed bugs seek out people and animals, generally at night while the hosts are asleep, and painlessly
sip a few drops of blood. While feeding, they inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the host’s skin. Repeated exposure to bed bug bites during a period of several weeks or more causes people to become sensitized to the saliva of these bugs. Additional bites may result in mild to intense allergic responses.
Where Do Bed Bugs Occur?
Bed bugs and their relatives turn up nearly worldwide. Bed bugs became relatively scarce during the latter part of the 20th century, but populations have resurged in recent years, particularly throughout parts of North America, Europe, and Australia. They are most abundant in rooms where people sleep, and they generally hide nearest the bed or other furniture used for sleeping. Bed bugs are most active in the middle of the night, but when hungry they will venture out during the day to seek a host. Their flattened bodies allow them to conceal themselves in cracks and crevices around the room and within furniture. Favored hiding sites include the bed frame, mattress, and box spring. Clutter around the room offers additional sites for these bugs to hid and increases the difficulty in eliminating bed bugs once they have become established.
How Do Bed Bugs Invade a Home?
Bed bugs readily hide in small crevices. They may accompany luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and other such objects when these are moved between apartments, homes, and hotels. Used furniture, particularly bed frames and mattresses, are at greatest risk of harboring bed bugs and their eggs. Thus, one should scrutinize and consider the history of any used furniture, particularly curbside items plentiful at the beginning and end of each academic year. Because they readily survive for many months without feeding, bed bugs may already be present in apartments that appear clean and vacant.
How Can You Tell If the Residence Is Infested?
Bed bugs infest only a small portion of residences, but they should be suspected if residents complain of bites or itchy spots that appear after sleeping. The bedroom and other sleeping areas should be carefully examined for bed bugs and signs of bed bug activity. Folds and creases in the bed linens, seams, and tufts of mattresses and box springs in particular may harbor bed bugs or their eggs.
What Should You Do If You Find Bed Bugs?
Because several different kinds of insects resemble bed bugs, specimens should be carefully identified by professional exterminators such as Rochester Pest Pro. Once their identity is confirmed, a careful plan should be devised to eliminate the bed bugs in a thorough manner that limits unnecessary costs and exposure to insecticides.
What Can You Do To Manage Bed Bugs?
Rochester Pest Pro will devise a plan to assist you in bed bug management along with helpful tips.
If you suspect a bed bug problem, contact Rochester Pest Pro for a quote.