Bed Bugs

Identifying Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of humans and animals.

Do not fly, instead they crawl quickly over floors, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces

Active mostly at night or while people sleep

Find them often in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards.

Not seasonal pests. While we do see spikes in bed bug populations in the summer months, the pests themselves are year-round. Cooler temperatures and/or limited access to blood simply prolong the developmental process of eggs hatching and the bugs molting to maturity.

Adults

3/16" long

often mistaken for ticks, cockroaches, carpet beetles or other household insects

Nymphs

resemble adults

smaller and lighter in color

Bites and Health Concerns

Most people can notice they have been bit by a bed bug immediately, seeing visible bites on their body- but others may not show any reactions to the bites at all- making them that much harder to detect. 30% of people do not react when bitten, others will experience itching and inflammation

BED BUGS FAQ

HOW DOES INFESTATION OCCUR

They are transported into dwellings on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture and other items.

Since the bugs feed solely on blood, cleanliness of a dwelling does not determine the vulnerability to the bugs.

HOW TO CONTROL INFESTATIONS?

Leave this to a professional as they know where to look and have an assortment of tools at their disposal. For example, professionals know how and where to safely use insecticides that are much more effective than those sold by retailers.

You can help by removing clutter to deter from places that the bugs can hide.

Using bleach, alcohol, cigarette lighters, etc. can be dangerous and scatter bedbugs to un-infested areas.

WHO ARE AT RISK?

Business and Leisure Travelers

Social Service and Emergency Workers

Schools and Daycares

HOW TO AVOID BED BUGS

Check your hotel when you are traveling

inspect items that you bring into your home that may be used, or secondhand.

When visiting a potentially infested place, avoid sitting, placing items, etc. where the bugs would reside