What does a bed bug look like

What does a bed bug look like

A bed bug is a type of insect which feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals, typically humans. There are around 3,500 species of bed bugs, and they are also known as Cimex lectylus, Bedbug, or Cimex hemipterus. They feed on human blood by piercing the skin to take a blood meal. The word "bed" comes from the appearance of a bug when it is found in a bed.Bedbugs are small, flat, wingless insects with six legs that, like mosquitoes, feed on blood from animals or people. They range in color from almost white to brown, but they turn rusty red after feeding. The common bedbug doesn't grow much longer than 0.2 inches (0.5 centimeters) and can be seen by the naked eye to the astute observer. Bedbugs get their name because they like to hide in bedding and mattresses.Bedbugs are most often found in hotels, hostels, shelters, and apartment complexes where lots of people come and go. Because bedbugs hide in small crevices, they can hitch a ride into your home on luggage, pets, furniture, clothing, boxes, and other objects. Bedbugs are found worldwide, but are most common in developing countries. Once rare in North America, they may be on the rise due, in part, to increases in international travel.

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Bedbugs are small, flat, wingless insects with six legs that, like mosquitoes, feed on blood from animals or people. They range in color from almost white to brown, but they turn rusty red after feeding. The common bedbug doesn't grow much longer than 0.2 inches (0.5 centimeters) and can be seen by the naked eye to the astute observer. Bedbugs get their name because they like to hide in bedding and mattresses. These nocturnal creatures can hide in beds, floors, furniture, wood, and paper trash during the day. We humans usually become their dinner during the night, with peak biting activity just before dawn.They can obtain their meal in as little as three minutes, after which they are engorged and drop off the host, then crawl into a hiding place to digest their meal. Bedbugs can live for 10 months, and can go weeks without feeding.

Adults are brown in color, although their bodies redden after feeding. Full-grown bed bugs move relatively slowly and measure between 4 to 5 mm. Homeowners sometimes have the misconception that bed bugs are too small to see with the naked eye. The nymphs may be small and difficult to see, but the adults are detectable with the naked eye and may be found in the cracks and crevices they use to hide. Unfortunately, most people discover bed bugs only after they’ve been bitten. Bed bugs feed at night when you’re asleep—often without detection. They’ll eat for up to 10 minutes, making multiple bites in the process, then go back into hiding. But what do bed bugs look like and how can you get rid of them? Find out what bed bugs look like, how to recognize a bed bug infestation, what steps to take to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Bites—Bed bug bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites. Because bed bugs feed by biting multiple sites in close proximity to one another, a long series of bites might indicate bed bugs rather than mosquitoes. If you suspect the bites come from bed bugs, the best thing to do is to locate a bed bug—alive or dead—and bring with you to any doctor’s appointment. Bites by themselves may not be sufficient evidence. Clean your furniture—Vacuum floors, mattress seams, and other furniture to remove bed bugs, exoskeletons, fecal droppings, and eggs. Empty the vacuum immediately after every use—seal the vacuum bag and throw it out in an outdoor trash bin. Steam cleaners can be used as well—as long as they reach temperatures of more than 115℉ for a sustained period of time. Make sure the settings are such that the force of the steam doesn’t launch adult bed bugs or their eggs out of hiding places and around the room. (Source: housemethod.com)