WHAT ARE BED BUGS?

Bed bugs are insects that feed on human blood, usually at night. Bed bug bites can result in skin rashes, allergic reactions, and cause psychological harm. Bed bugs may even carry pathogenic diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, as well as HIV. Bed bugs are very small in size, wingless, and range in color from off-white to a brown or reddish hue.

Bed bug infestations are primarily caused by two species of the Cimex insect: Cimex lectularius (the common bed bug) and Cimex hemipterus. The colloquial name "bed bug" is derived from these insects' favorite hiding spot. Bed bugs are known to burrow into bed frames and mattresses and feed on humans and pets at night.

Waking up with bites might be the first indicator that you have a bed bug infestation. Bed bug bites can often be identified due to their atypical arrangement in lines or clusters on the face, neck, arms or hands.  Additional indicators of a bed bug infestation may include a sweet, musty odor and/or rust-coloration on your bedding or mattress. Upon close examination, adult bed bugs may be visible, typically in mattress folds or seams. Typically, bed bugs are found within 1 to 5 feet of infested beds or furniture, as they prefer to remain close to their food source.

BED BUG LIFE CYCLE

You can visibly see bed bugs during all stages of their life cycle. Bed bugs reproduce very quickly, and it only takes approximately one month to go from egg to adult stage. Surprisingly, bed bugs eggs are far more difficult to kill than baby bed bugs and adult bed bugs, and a female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs over the span of her lifetime.

The small size of bed bugs, and particularly baby bed bugs, can make it very difficult to identify an infestation. Typically, bed bugs feed one to two times per day.  Bed bugs require blood to continue to grow and survive, but can go up to 18 months without feeding, making it difficult to starve them out.

BED BUG SOLUTIONS