The Basics You Need to Know about BEDBUGS

Bed bug, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, is characterized as a Pest that feeds on human or animal blood. Bedbug bites causes itch and irritation to the skin of human host. The infestation in the house, apartment or any building could grow really fast which can cause anxiety, depression and a feeling of paranoia. They are classified as public health pest by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, good news is that bed bugs have not been proven to transmit diseases.

What do BedBugs Look Like

BedBug Eggs

Bedbug eggs are extremely small, about 1mm, the size of pinhead. Eggs less than 5 days old are not detected by the naked human eye. They are pearl white in color and could be detected, if more than 5 days old, on dark color sheets or furniture set.

Baby Bedbugs

Baby or Young bedbugs, also called nymph, are about 1.5 to 4.5 mm with translucent or whitish-yellow color. They could not be detected by the naked eye if they are not fed mainly because of their small size and translucent color.

Adult BedBugs

Adult bed bugs are brown in color, 5 to 9 millimeters in length (young bed bugs basically are 1.6 millimeters in length and colorless), oval shaped, flat and they have no wings.

BedBugs before and after feeding

After feeding, their shape and color changes so much that you will hardly be able to relate them. Their color becomes purplish-red and they become larger in size, and shaped in form of a cigar. They generally look like any other insect after feeding. People have been found to take bed bugs for other insects.

A discovery in the “Let’s Beat the Bug” program at the University of Minnesota revealed that about 75% of specimens submitted for sampling were actually not bed bugs. Therefore it is advisable to submit samples to specialists for identification.

How to Identify Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs may have found their way into your homes by clinging to your kid(s)’s school backpacks, your personal handbags, laptop bags, and so on. Bedbugs may also come into your home of office along with used furniture.

The infestation has reddish stains and dark spots resulting from crushed bed bugs on your chairs, mattresses, tables and bed bugs wastes are a sign of their presence. Also you may regularly get insects bites during your sleep or see them physically. In these cases, there are a number of hidden places you should check. They include;

• Seams of mattresses, chairs, bags, and so on.
• Furniture joints.
• Floor cracks
• Hangings on walls, examples include calendars and wall papers
• Electrical fittings and screw heads, and so on

Rarely, you may find them in places such as bathrooms and the laundry. Also remember to check travel luggage upon return from a trip. Learning how to identify bedbug and its infestation will be your first step towards getting rid of them. It’s best to sought the help of professional exterminators before the infestation gets out of hand.