Bed Bug Facts

Bed Bugs are small pest – the adult is smaller than a quarter of an inch in size – that feed on the blood of animals and, most disconcertingly humans.

Although not able to fly the bed bug does retain the ability to travel; very fast and is prone to rapid multiplication as a result.

The Bed Bug concern is a widespread one, as these tiny mites are believed to have traveled from their natural home in the Asian continent to the entire globe.

It is hardly unusual to see an infestation of Bed Bugs, but what is essential is that we recognise where they live, how to recognize them and what to do about them.

The female Bed Bug will produce eggs every day; as she can exist for considerable lengths of time – over a year – this results in a quick explosion of the Bed Bug population.

The bed bug is active at night – when we are sleeping – and the first clue to the infestation of Bed Bugs is the presence of marks on the skin in the morning.

The bed bug will feed during the night, and because it feeds on the blood it leaves behind indications of its being there.

A bed bug feeds by puncturing the skin and feeding in a tube with which it sucks out the required blood, and therefore the victim will rarely be aware they are being bitten as they are usually asleep.

After feeding – which can be as long as ten minutes – the Bed Bug leaves behind a red bite which might swell and will irritate continually, bringing irritation and discomfort to the sufferer.

The problem with diagnosis is that the symptoms of Bed Bugs are extremely similar to many other skin infections.

Scabies leaves behind very similar signs to bed bug infestation, and other insect bites such as mosquito can also result in a similar tell tale red welt.

Bed bug bites will usually be found on skin that remains exposed while we sleep – the arms and legs, face and neck are all frequently bitten – and it is to these areas we should be vigilant when looking for signs of the creatures.

The Bed Bug is a night active mite and it likes to feed on our blood; it also likes to hide and this is why it frequents our beds and furnishings.

While the Bed Bug does not nest like many other insects, it does gravitate to suitable places, hence many will hide together in the crevasses of a mattress, the inside of covers and linings and other dark and secure places.

Bed Bugs are sometimes introduced into the home by those who have been travelling and have possibly slept on a number of unusual and frequently used beds.

A Bed Bug case is not usually a case of dodgy hygiene, however, as many hotels and guest houses have also been the source of the problem.

Bed Bug infestations spread very fast; with one female mite laying around five eggs each day it is simple to see how quickly the colony can grow.

To remove Bed Bugs you initially need to throw out of the infected mattress and any other items that may be harbouring the creatures.

As bed bugs are very prolific and hard to find, getting rid of all the eggs and mites with off the shelf remedies may not be entirely successful.
 
During a case of bed bugs, all clothes, covers and linings that have been in contact with bugs – or are suspected of having been – have to be be thoroughly washed; if possible this should be done on the hottest setting possible to be sure to kill the bugs.