Bed Bug Identification
Bed bugs are tiny parasites with flat bodies that feed on people and animals while they sleep. They can be found worldwide, traveling on people, luggage, and upholstered items from location to location.
- Family: Bed bugs are part of the Cimicidae family, which also includes other parasites like bat bugs, which typically feed on bats.
- Size: These small insects average 1/4 to 3/8 inch in size.
- Color: Bed bugs are typically brown or reddish-brown and can appear purplish after feeding.
- Legs: Bed bugs are insects with six legs.
Types of Bed Bugs
Common Bed Bug
Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs love to hide in dark crevices, making them challenging to spot. The earlier you catch an infestation the better, and knowing what to look for can make all the difference.
Bed Bug Bites
Bite marks, which may look similar to a flea or mosquito bite, are one of the key telltale signs. You may have bites on your face, arms, hands, neck, and other body parts.
Insomnia-Inducing Itchiness
Some people experience sleep disturbances and skin irritations caused by the itchiness of bed bug bites. You can be bitten and show no visible signs; additionally, bite marks can take up to 14 days to appear. If you have new and unexplainable itching, it might be good to check for other clues.
Live Bugs, Eggs, or Exoskeletons
Seeing a live bug is a clear sign. However, you might also find their exoskeletons left behind after molting, or their eggs. Check areas like the folds of sheets and mattresses, seams of box springs and furniture, and behind baseboards and artwork.
Seeing Spots
Red stains on mattresses and bedding can occur from spots of blood after getting bitten or by inadvertently crushing bed bugs. Additionally, dark spots about the size of a pen mark are a sign of bed bug excrement.
How Do I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
With their small size and flat bodies, bed bugs can easily find various spots to hide. Bed bug control is challenging, which is why professional help is a must.
- Wash bedding, clothing, drapery, and stuffed animals using hot water and dry them using high heat.
- Use a stiff-bristled brush to go over mattresses and other potentially affected areas before thoroughly vacuuming the bed, windows, molding, and surrounding areas.
- Add a tightly woven, zippered mattress encasement to your bed and leave it in place for a year or longer to smother any remaining bed bugs.
Bed Bug Facts
Lifespan
Bed bugs live for an average of six to 12 months, going through six life stages requiring a minimum of one blood meal per stage. Between life stages, bed bugs molt and leave their exoskeletons behind.
Food Sources
Bed bugs feed only on the blood of animals. Although humans are a preferred host for most bed bugs, they will also feed on animals such as rodents, dogs, cats, and birds.
Reproduction
Females must feed to lay their eggs. Adult females can lay up to five eggs daily on a continual basis, laying as many as 500 eggs in their lifetimes.
Risk of Disease
Bed bug bites may trigger an allergic response in some people and can cause sleep disturbances due to itching. However, they pose no risk of spreading diseases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Where Are Bed Bugs Found?
Bed bugs can be found anywhere near their hosts. Some preferred hiding places include:
- Seams of mattresses, box springs, chairs, cushions, and couches
- Cracks in bed frames or the joints of drawers and furniture
- Behind wall hangings and inside electrical receptacles
- Areas where the wall meets the ceiling or baseboard
- Cracks wide enough to fit your credit card
When Are Bed Bugs Active?
Bed bugs are most active at night. They remain active in temperatures as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit but die upon exposure to extreme cold and heat.
More Information About Bed Bugs
Bat Bugs vs. Bed Bugs: What’s the Difference?
4 Early Signs of Bed Bugs
Identify and Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you check for bed bugs?
Look for rusty stains, dark spots, and live bugs in cracks and crevices, particularly in mattress seams, behind and around beds, and in any cracks in the bed frame.
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are tiny, flat, oval-shaped brown to reddish-brown insects roughly the size of a lentil.
How do you get bed bugs?
Bed bugs love to hitchhike from place to place and travel on clothing, luggage, and other soft items.
Do bed bugs jump?
No; bed bugs don’t fly or jump.
Do bed bugs have wings?
No. Bed bugs are wingless insects that can crawl quickly from their nests to reach their host.
Are there other kinds of bed bugs?
The common bed bug featured in this article is the usual culprit when it comes to bed bug infestations, but there are other species of this notorious blood-sucking insect. The tropical bed bug is common in warm, tropical locations. The bat bug, a parasite of bats, has been known to infest homes that have bat problems. Similarly, the swallow bug and poultry bug, which are parasites of birds, have occasionally invaded houses that have bird problems.
