What are Bed Bugs?
Bed Bug Taking a Blood Meal
Definition: Bed Bugs are a Parasite that thrives on Human Blood. Definition 2: Bed Bugs are a Nightmare. Long-Definition 3: Bed Bugs are a redish-Brown, flat, wingless, hemipterous bug (Cimex Lectularius) (regionally nicknamed Chinch) that feeds on human blood.
How big are Bed Bugs? What do bed bugs look like? A fully grown adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed. In Color, bed bugs range from reddish brown to brownish black. The baby nymph bed bugs can be very difficult to see.
How big are Bed Bugs? What do bed bugs look like? A fully grown adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed. In Color, bed bugs range from reddish brown to brownish black. The baby nymph bed bugs can be very difficult to see.
How do I know I have Bed Bugs?
Flattened Bed Bug
Bud Bugs are elusive and have even been seen as a myth for years. Bed Bugs live in beds, couches, chairs, carpet, mattresses, and squeeze almost anywhere due to their small size and thin body shape. They transport themselves to new habitats via luggage, clothing, purses, picture frames and thrift store purchases. You will find them in seems of mattresses mating, laying, eggs, and defecating. On your skin you will find spots in places mosquitos can't reach. These bite marks are sometimes in rows and sometimes have a small line in the center of the bite from penetration. Some people have no reaction from the bites while others have skin and bodily reactions that can be very irritating and painful. One home owner and victim described the fire and burning itching she experienced along with oozing pus.
How Did I Get Bed Bugs?
Where Did I Get Bed Bugs?
Bed Bugs and Cleanliness
It doesn't matter if your house is on the cover of Home & Garden magazine or the spotlight of TLC's Extreme Hoarders docudrama, these evil pests are no respecter of persons and they will invade your life rich, poor, young or old. Bed Bugs just want a host they can feed on every night with little hassle...... or with hassle. Bed Bug infestations could occur anywhere; the office, school, movie theater, restaurant, hospital, dormitory, homeless shelter, Hotel, Motel, thrift store, or care center. Just a single visit to a place that is infested could produce bed bug hitchhikers in the form of bugs or eggs. Craigslist and Thrift-Store purchases may have been sold by someone who has bed bugs. Thus providing nice secure vehicle to the new habitat. These small flat bed bugs also travel between walls of apartments and duplex's and travel to floors above or below them in stacked apartment units, hotels, dorms, and motels etc.
The Blood Meal
Bed Bug Feeding Visual
These nocturnal suckers are typically shy during the day because the host is not around to feed them. Along with our body heat Bed Bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale during sleep. One home owner and victim felt she was followed by the pests as she moved to the couch to catch the news. Meals are taken through the night but increase between 2-5am when the host is deepest in sleep and least resistant. An anticoagulant is injected to ease the movement of blood and an anesthetic is used to numb the host upon entrance. The Body of a Bed Bug will expand to enable more blood storage. These despicable creatures will get to you anyway they can, exposed skin is easiest but they will penetrate clothes and have been also known to fall on their prey from above.
Can I get rid of these Bed Bugs on my own?
The Bed Bug Pros
Don't know how to put this lightly, but the likelihood of eliminating bed bugs on your own is very slim. Bed Bugs can survive up to one year on one feeding. Each female can lay Up to 5 eggs per day. These eggs are sticky and transfer to multiple locations around the infested site. Eggs are biologically impermeable to many chemicals. Because Bed Bugs can inbreed to perpetuate more offspring they have an exponential mating advantage. The only truly guaranteed one day eradication is a specialized Heat Treatment by licensed professionals.
