Brief description:
- Mahogany to re-brown in color
- Flat, broad when unfed; swollen and elongated when fed
- Ranging in size from 1.3mm to 7mm in length depending on the age
- Females can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime
- Bed bugs feed on the blood of warm bodied animals
- Consume a blood meal every 5-10 days but can survive a whole year without eating
Habits:
- Bed bugs harbor in cracks and crevices during the day and come out for blood feedings at night
- Hence their name, they are often found in beds among the mattress, box springs, rails, frame, headboard, and footboard
- They are excellent hitchhikers. They hide in luggage, purses, bags, and other belongings to travel from place to place
Different species:
Threats:
- Bites are painless but can cause an allergic reaction which triggers small, red bumps on the skin
Prevention:
- Inspect bedding for bed bug skins and blood spots
- Change linens often
- Inspect rooms when traveling.
- Do not set luggage on the floor or on bed when traveling
- Inspect luggage, clothing, and linens when you return from traveling
- Inspect second hand furniture before bringing it into your home
- Seek professional pest control company to address a bed bug infestation
Other pests to look out for:
- Ants
- Fire Ants
- Mosquitoes
- House flies
- spiders