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Bed Bug Identification

Bed bugs are small flat insects that have recently made a resurgence in the United States. They can inflict a small bite, which can be confused with that of a mosquito or flea. They are becoming quite a nuisance in all kinds of places such as homes, hotels, college dormitories and cruise ships, just to name a few. Once they have infested an area, they are quite happy to stay and are difficult to eliminate.

  1. Identifying a Bed Bug

    • A nymph is approximately 1 1/2 mm long or approximately the size of a poppy seed. The adult bed bug is anywhere from 5 to 7 mm long or about one-quarter inch. Bed bugs are oval shaped and have flat bodies. Infant bed bugs appear clear, however and change to a bright red after feeding on the blood of their host. Adults are reddish brown, becoming more red than brown after feeding. Although the bed bug is an insect, its wings are almost nonexistent, rendering it unable to fly.

    History

    • Bed bugs are nearly worldwide, but were more prevalent in the United States before World War II. Due to the use of the pesticide DDT in the United States during the mid 1900's, the bed bug population became quite scarce. Worldwide, the bed bug population still remained a problem. Now, in the United States, due to immigration from foreign countries and restrictions in the use of DDT, we are seeing a rise in reports of bed bug infestations.

    Habitats

    • Bed bugs generally like to hide in the homes of their hosts. They are most often in the bedroom area closest to the bed. They like the folds of curtains, spaces inside wicker furniture, mattresses and bed frames, almost any place that provides a dark hiding spot. Bed bugs are most active at night, however, and if hungry they will appear during daylight hours.

    Bed Bug Bites

    • Bed bug bites can sometimes be confused with a mosquito or flea bite. Since the bed bug is most active at night, the bites will occur while the host is sleeping. Bites are usually on the face, hands, neck and arms. They can be small, flat or raised bumps. Typically, swelling, itching and redness occurs. Care should be taken not itch, as this can lead to infection. Most often there is no treatment for the bites, however, if the itching becomes severe you may need to contact your health care provider. Steroid creams or oral antihistamines are available to provide relief.

    Eliminating the Bed Bug

    • Once you have provided a home for the bed bugs, it is not an easy process to eliminate them. Most often it requires the services of a professional pest control company. The company can assist you in determining whether the mattress and box springs can be salvaged, and recommend safe sprays and powders that can be used to rid the insects from other furniture. Powerful vacuums may be needed to clean the insects from cracks and crevices. Caulking may be needed to fill any gaps around baseboards or pipes.

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