In this Article In this Article In this Article
Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.
Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Female bedbugs may lay hundreds of eggs, each of which is about the size of a speck of dust, over a lifetime.
Immature bedbugs, called nymphs, shed their skins five times before reaching maturity and require a meal of blood before each shedding. Under favorable conditions the bugs can develop fully in as little as a month and produce three or more generations per year.
Although they are a nuisance, they are not thought to transmit diseases.
Bedbugs may enter your home undetected through luggage, clothing, used beds and couches, and other items. Their flattened bodies make it possible for them to fit into tiny spaces, about the width of a credit card. Bedbugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but tend to live in groups in hiding places. Their initial hiding places are typically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards where they have easy access to people to bite in the night.
Over time, however, they may scatter through the bedroom, moving into any crevice or protected location. They may also spread to nearby rooms or apartments.
Because bedbugs live solely on blood, having them in your home is not a sign of dirtiness. You are as likely to find them in immaculate homes and hotel rooms as in filthy ones.
Bedbugs are active mainly at night and usually bite people while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. The bugs feed from three to 10 minutes to become engorged and then crawl away unnoticed.
Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike flea bites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping. Also, the bites do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites do.
People who don't realize they have a bedbug infestation may attribute the itching and welts to other causes, such as mosquitoes. To confirm bedbug bites, you must find and identify the bugs themselves.
If you wake up with itchy areas you didn't have when you went to sleep, you may have bedbugs, particularly if you got a used bed or other used furniture around the time the bites started. Other signs that you have bedbugs include:
If you suspect an infestation, remove all bedding and check it carefully for signs of the bugs or their excrement. Remove the dust cover over the bottom of the box springs and examine the seams in the wood framing. Peel back the fabric where it is stapled to the wood frame.
Also, check the area around the bed, including inside books, telephones or radios, the edge of the carpet, and even in electrical outlets. Check your closet, because bedbugs can attach to clothing. If you are uncertain about signs of bedbugs, call an exterminator, who will know what to look for.
If you find signs of infestation, begin steps to get rid of the bugs and prevent their return.
Getting rid of bedbugs begins with cleaning up the places where bedbugs live. This should include the following:
If your mattress is infested, you may want to get rid of it and get a new one, but take care to rid the rest of your home of bedbugs or they will infest your new mattress.
While cleaning up infested areas will be helpful in controlling bedbugs, getting rid of them usually requires chemical treatments. Because treating your bed and bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, it is important to use products that can be used safely in bedrooms. Do not treat mattresses and bedding unless the label specifically says you can use them on bedding.
Generally it is safest and most effective to hire an experienced pest control professional for bedbug extermination.
SOURCES:
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture: "Bed Bugs."
Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: "Bed Bugs."
The New York City Department of Heath and Mental Hygiene: "Stop Bed Bugs Safely."
University of Nebraska--Lincoln Extension Lancaster County: "Managing Bed Bugs."
CDC.
Pagination
Read the original post:
Bed Bugs: How to Identify Bedbugs and How to Get ... - WebMD
- Bed Bug Inspection Dog in Ontario, Canada - March 14th, 2011 [March 14th, 2011]
- Tracker The Bed Bug Dog In Action - March 31st, 2011 [March 31st, 2011]
- Fighting Bed Bugs in Canada with ThermaPure CTV News - August 2010 - April 3rd, 2011 [April 3rd, 2011]
- Treating a bed frame for bedbugs using Diatomaceous Powder - April 4th, 2011 [April 4th, 2011]
- When the bed bug bites-One Woman's Story - April 12th, 2011 [April 12th, 2011]
- "Mel, Niagara, Tongue and Bed Bugs" Mattoliver's photos around Toronto, Canada - April 15th, 2011 [April 15th, 2011]
- Bed Bug gets owned - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- The Bed Bug Epidemic - May 24th, 2011 [May 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Heat Treatment - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Bed bugs invading Winnipeg in public places - May 31st, 2011 [May 31st, 2011]
- Tracker The Bed Bug Dog on Breakfast Television - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- Why ThermaPureHeat is the #1 most effective way to kill bed bugs and their eggs. - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- Hospital Turns Patient Away Due to Bed Bug Bites [ABC: 5-28-2011] - June 10th, 2011 [June 10th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs 8.1 Kanas Earthquake Dream Mega Tornado Sickness Earthquakes. and More - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Bed bug thermal heat treatment | How to get rid of Bed bugs using heat thermal remediation.mov - June 22nd, 2011 [June 22nd, 2011]
- Where do Bed Bugs live and How to Get Rid of Them - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- How To Stop Bedbugs - June 24th, 2011 [June 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs in the NWT - June 25th, 2011 [June 25th, 2011]
- Chase our Bed Bug Dog training - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Latex Mattresses for NYC, LA, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia and more! - July 20th, 2011 [July 20th, 2011]
- Cryonite Science Behind Freezing.mp4 - July 28th, 2011 [July 28th, 2011]
- Research shows bedbugs can carry superbug MRSA - August 11th, 2011 [August 11th, 2011]
- 128. Don't Let The Bedbugs Bite! - September 4th, 2011 [September 4th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Awareness - September 10th, 2011 [September 10th, 2011]
- Bedbug Lillie 4 Chatham, Ontario - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- Bed bug inspection Hollywood, Bed Bug exterminator Koreatown, exterminator koreatown, 213-928-7721 - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- LA Pest Control - Mice, Roach, Rat, Bed Bug Removal 213-928-7849 - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Treating a Baseboard with DE to Prevent Bedbugs - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Bedbugs Prevention - Reduce Your Clutter! - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- HOW TO STOP BEDBUGS CLIMBING INTO YOUR BED - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- VTS_01_1.VOB - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- BEDBUGS AND BEDTIME - STOP THE AFFAIR - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- BED BUGS, PUNAISES DE LITS - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- BEDBUGS - BED BUGS - Cimex lectularius - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Thermal Treatment Private Home by A3 Superior Pest Control - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- BED BUG DOG - Inspections - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- Bedbugs - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- bed bug : improvise mortar and pestle to crush silica gel cat litter, food, makeup - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- Bed bug inspection 213-928-7721, santa monica, west side, Bed bug exterminator - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs - Key Facts and Information - Orkin PCO Canada - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- How to do a bed bug room inspection - Orkin PCO Canada - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- bed bug exterminator Pasadea - CALL 213-928-7721 bedbugs, roaches + more - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- fruit fly trap difficult problem simple solution comedy bedbug bed bug powder SNL bulldog lipstick - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Treating a Cable Outlet to Prevent Bedbugs - Video - November 23rd, 2011 [November 23rd, 2011]
- BATCH of bed bugs and PUBES on my face! - Video - November 23rd, 2011 [November 23rd, 2011]
- WHERE BEDBUGS COME FROM - PLUG IN - Video - November 25th, 2011 [November 25th, 2011]
- HOW TO KEEP BEDBUGS AWAY FROM YOUR HOME - Video - November 25th, 2011 [November 25th, 2011]
- HOW TO STOP BEDBUGS COMING THRU YOUR WALLS - Video - November 25th, 2011 [November 25th, 2011]
- All About Bed Bugs with "At Home" - Video - November 26th, 2011 [November 26th, 2011]
- Prevent Bedbugs by Applying Diatomaceous Powder - Video - November 27th, 2011 [November 27th, 2011]
- Bed bugs Part 2: Identifying and inspecting for bed bugs - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- Vancouver bed bug heat treatment - Video - December 9th, 2011 [December 9th, 2011]
- bed bugs inspections long beach 213-9287721, rossmoor, seal beach, lakewood - Video - December 12th, 2011 [December 12th, 2011]
- EucoClean 3in1 vs Bed Bugs Laboratory Test (Every Hotel in the World take note!) - Video - December 14th, 2011 [December 14th, 2011]
- When Bedbugs Attack! - Video - December 15th, 2011 [December 15th, 2011]
- Don't matter - it proves evolution. This is Genesis Week, Season 1, Episode 1 - Video - January 6th, 2012 [January 6th, 2012]
- Toronto woman recounts vacation nightmare in Cuba - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Iqaluit bed bug problem began months ago, says government - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- bed bug exterminator, westchester, LAX - CALL 213-928-7721 bedbugs, roaches, ants - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Craig Ferguson 10/6/11E Late Late Show Dan Riskin - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- MEGA Babies "Don't let the Bed Bugs Bite" Pt 1 of 2 - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Toronto council debates OMB, affordable housing funding & other issues - February 8th, 2012 [February 8th, 2012]
- Bed Bug Proof Laundry Bag - www.CorporateTravelSafety.com. - Video - February 8th, 2012 [February 8th, 2012]
- Live: 2012 Academy Awards - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- The 2012 Academy Awards - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- And the winners are ... - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- 2012 Academy Awards - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- All Oscars accounted for - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- Top Entomologists Call 2012 Pivotal Year in Bed Bug War - February 29th, 2012 [February 29th, 2012]
- According to Rest Assured MC, Freezing Bed Bugs with Cryonite will Become One of the Most Popular Methods for Killing ... - March 1st, 2012 [March 1st, 2012]
- Allergy Technologies Signs Exclusive Agreement with Hospi-Tel to Distribute ActiveGuard™ Mattress Liners to the ... - March 12th, 2012 [March 12th, 2012]
- Nodding approval for a new mattress - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- New Dundee entrepreneurs tackle bed bug problem - May 30th, 2012 [May 30th, 2012]
- Entomologists to discuss insect issues at annual meeting - May 31st, 2012 [May 31st, 2012]
- Here's Why Renting Your Home Through Airbnb Could Be Illegal - June 7th, 2012 [June 7th, 2012]
- Bed bugs attack jurors - June 10th, 2012 [June 10th, 2012]
- Huntsville, Ala., offers look at rocket science, history, gardens and more - June 17th, 2012 [June 17th, 2012]
- Spring Air Partners with Protect-A-Bed to Redefine the Sleeping Experience - June 28th, 2012 [June 28th, 2012]
- Organic Plant Health, Inc., (OTCQB: OPHI), Introduces New and Improved Eco-Cedar™ All-Natural Bed Bug Killer. - July 6th, 2012 [July 6th, 2012]
- Bedbug-detection dog sniffs out critters at Central Library - July 20th, 2012 [July 20th, 2012]