Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have received a lot of media attention in the past few years. With numbers soaring and infestations at an all-time high, it's no wonder these tiny pests have started becoming resistant to certain pesticides. This spells big trouble for hotels and homeowners alike. However, plenty of techniques still work against bed bugs, and there are ways we can help you remove these stubborn pests from your home. Learn how bed bugs get into your house and how to get rid of them with advice from the Pest Library at MosquitoNix®.
Description
Bed bugs belong to the genus Cimex and have some similarities to ticks, including appearance. They are much smaller than ticks, with adults averaging about 3/16 of an inch long. They are reddish brown, though they appear as tiny black dots to the naked eye. Their bodies are oval and flat with a tiny head and predominant legs. Unlike ticks, bed bugs do not live in open, outdoor spaces, nor do they live on our bodies as lice do. They feed on warm-blooded animals including humans and even your dog, so they tend to colonize in houses, apartment buildings, dormitories, hotels and other densely populated areas.
These insects will live inside fabrics such as bed sheets waiting for a person or animal to come into proximity. They tend to hide during the day and become active at night. While the host animal is inactive or sleeping, bed bugs will feed on them. Though the bite itself is painless, an allergic reaction to bed bug saliva can leave behind an itchy welt. Bites usually occur on areas of the body exposed during sleep, like the head and neck. These pests live inside bedding, as the name suggests, but you'll also find bed bugs in other fabrics including furniture, carpeting, luggage or curtains.
Bed bugs can live and travel in these fabrics for a long time, moving from area to area. This allows infestations to spread, particularly in situations where linens are rented or borrowed. If you have bed bugs in your home, you'll notice brown or black stains on fabrics and linen. Sometimes, small blood stains will be noticeable where a bed bug has been crushed, and large infestations can give off a sickly-sweet smell.
Breeding Habits
Bed bug numbers grow quickly because females can produce a few hundred eggs in their life span, which typically lasts three to four months. She must feed on blood in order to reproduce, and the young require a blood meal for every skin-shedding that leads to adulthood, five times in all. They can also survive for months without feeding, up to a year in cold temperatures, waiting patiently for warm-blooded prey to come near. This can make getting rid of an infestation very difficult.
Geography
Bed bugs can be found just about any place on earth where humans live. They live indoors where warm-blooded animals are found and often make their way into homes by hiding in luggage or other fabrics and hitchhiking from hotels or dorm rooms back to a residence.
Solutions for Bed Bugs in Your Home
Eliminating these tiny pests is nearly impossible for a homeowner to perform alone. Battling bed bugs takes extensive experience and the right techniques. If you believe you may have a problem with bed bugs in your home, contact us immediately at MosquitoNix. We will find the adult bed bugs as well as the larvae and eliminate the problem. Contact our knowledgeable customer service team to learn more about your options for removing bed bugs from your home and receive a no-cost estimate. We are equipped with the tools and know-how to quickly clear out a bed bug infestation.
Resources:
http://entoweb.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/bedbug.htm
https://www.pestworld.org/all-things-bed-bugs/where-bed-bugs-are-found/
FAQs:
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are small, flat, and reddish-brown in color. They are the size and shape of an apple seed, and they can be difficult to see without magnification. Bed bugs have six legs, two antennae, and a beak-like mouthpart for feeding.
Where do bed bugs come from?
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can be found all over the world. They are often brought into homes and other buildings on infested furniture, luggage, or clothing. Bed bugs are not associated with poor hygiene or cleanliness and can infest even the most pristine environments.
How to check for bed bugs?
To check for bed bugs, start by examining the bedding, mattress seams, and any nearby furniture for signs of infestation such as live bugs, shed skins, or small brown or black spots (fecal matter). You can also use a flashlight and a credit card to inspect tight crevices and cracks where bed bugs may hide.
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bugs are excellent hiders and can be found in a variety of locations, including bedding, furniture, cracks and crevices in walls and floors, and even electrical outlets. They prefer to hide in tight spaces close to their food source (i.e. humans) and are often difficult to detect without close inspection.
What kills bed bugs instantly?
The most effective way to kill bed bugs is through a combination of methods, including heat treatment, insecticide application, and thorough cleaning. It is important to note that killing individual bed bugs will not eliminate an infestation entirely, as there may be many more hiding in other areas.
How do you get rid of bed bugs?
Getting rid of bed bugs requires a multi-step approach, including identifying the source of the infestation, eliminating the bugs themselves, and preventing future infestations. This typically involves a combination of professional pest control treatments, cleaning, and monitoring. Contact our team of experts today for more information on our pest controls services.