Infestations with Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) can be found in almost every habitable location: homes, offices, college dorms, jails, stores, hospitals, etc. In the past, the public was aware of outbreaks in hotels and motels. Presently, there have been epidemic outbreaks in almost every place humans and animals are present.

Bed Bug Facts

• Adult bed bugs are about 1/8" long with reddish-brown, oval flattened bodies.
• Bed bugs feed solely on the blood of warm-blooded humans and animals.
• They feed by piercing the skin with an elongated beak. Bite symptoms may cause an itchy welt or no reaction at all.
• There is no evidence that they transmit any diseases.
• Bed bugs do not fly; however, they move very fast over floors, walls, ceilings, etc. They have been known to crawl more than 100 feet to obtain a blood meal.
• Female bed bugs lay up to five eggs a day.
• The eggs are whitish, the size of a dust speck and are very difficult to see on most surfaces.
• Newly hatched nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they shed their skin five times before maturing; and, a blood meal is needed between each molt.
• In temperatures ranging from 70ºF to 90ºF, the bugs can complete development in a month, producing three or more generations per year.
• Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year.
• Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the day, they hide in such places as mattress, box springs, frames/headboards, baseboards, couches, chairs, nightstands, dressers, walls, and ceilings.
• Areas where they congregate are marked by dark spotting and staining; and are accompanied by a sweetish odor, eggs, eggshells, and molted skins.

Bed Bug Vigilance

• Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate; and, home remedies are not very effective.
• If you know that there are bed bugs present, immediately contact a pest professional.
• Try to avoid having this problem by being vigilant when traveling.
• When in a hotel room, pull bed covers down at night and look for any movement or spots on the sheets.
• When returning home from a trip, inspect your luggage and clothing.
• Vacuum your suitcases before bringing them into the house.
• Bed bug management tactics include laundering, vacuuming, steam heating, bed encasement, and disposal of infested items.
• Studies have shown that treatment with insecticides is the best approach to control bed bug infestation.
• Don't forget to have a follow-up service for a thorough inspection and repeated application, if necessary.
• Because bed bugs are so successful in hiding, there is no standard or guaranteed timeframe in which infestations can be eliminated.