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The bed bug “Cimex lectularius” small parasite that preys on humans and animals. The insect has six legs with tiny claws, allowing it to grasp ahold of animal fur and various materials utilized in luggage, handbag, clothing, and backpack designs. The claws allow the insect to be carried short distances, providing enough time to seek refuge in a safe hiding place.
The bed bug life cycle begins as an egg, followed by the larva stage. The insect goes through several larva stages, growing from 1 to 3 millimeters up to 4.5 millimeters before maturing into an adult. By the time the bed bug is fully matured, it should measure around 5-1/2 millimeters in length. Rarely, you find an adult bed bug, measuring larger than 7 millimeters.
Bed Bug Infestation
The bed bug needs to feed at least every few weeks to survive. Since the species need fresh blood to survive, a living host is perlative. People at the highest risk are travelers who are oftentimes more concerned about the reason they are traveling and less about bed bug encounters.
It only takes a fertile adult female to cause an infestation. The female can easily produce up to 500 eggs within her lifetime. She carries her eggs for about a week before depositing them in safe areas next to the host. A blood meal is crucial for the survival of a newly hatched bed bug. Regular blood meals are necessary for the molting process, which is part of the life cycle. The bed bug larva sheds its skin “exoskeleton” during each molt. The larva undergoes molting 5 times before maturing into an adult.
Signs Of Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bug sightings are common in commercial and public settings. Nursing homes, motels, homeless shelters, thrift stores, hospitals, subway trains, and bed & breakfasts commonly report bed bug encounters by guests and employees.
If you are a guest or worker at one of the aforementioned facilities, knowing the signs of a bed bug infestation.
- Live adult bed bugs, tiny white eggs, and larvae
- Dried blood stains
- Dead skin (exoskeletons)
- Musty, sweet aroma
Another sign of a bed bug infestation, which has been known to cause some confusion among victims is a bite. The tiny red bump may be itchy and swollen. Bed bug bites are generally found on exposed skin while the victim is asleep.
Bed Bug Management
Managing the bed bug population requires a group effort, with local citizens and pest control companies. We work with local entomologists and other pest control experts to combat bed bug infestation in the city and surrounding areas. Our goal is to continuously minimize the number of new bed bug infestation cases. Thanks to our high-quality pest control treatments, we are continuing to reach our goal.
Bed Bug And Disease Transmission
While no one wants to be victimized by these tiny parasitic insects, disease is not of concern. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases to their victims when feeding on their blood. However, there is the concern of an allergic reaction to the bed bug’s saliva, which contains properties the human and animal body detects as a foreign antigen. When the foreign antigen is detected, the t-cells begin to produce antibodies to protect the body from illnesses, resulting in an allergic reaction.
Bed Bug Prevention
Protecting yourself and your family and home from bed bugs is a continuous process. Knowing how to identify the bed bug and signs of an infestation are crucial components of the prevention strategy. Learn how to visually inspect your property for bed bugs can also minimize your risks of an infestation.
Bed bugs are resilient insects that cannot survive more than a few weeks without fresh blood.
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