Pest Control  Pest Library Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. As humans, we are ideal hosts for bed bugs. Bed bugs are so-called because of their preferred habitat in human homes; sofas, bed mattresses, etc. Most bed bugs feed on their hosts while they are asleep.

These insects feed exclusively on blood and may survive a year without eating. They are attracted by body warmth and carbon dioxide Transfer to new places is usually depends on the movement of the human they feed upon. Bugs and eggs can inadvertently be brought in from other infested dwellings on a visiting person’s clothing or luggage.

Infested items (such as furniture, clothing, or backpacks) brought in;

Nearby dwellings or infested items, if easy routes are available for travel, e.g. through ducts or false ceilings

Though bed bugs will feed on pets, they do not live or travel on the skin of their hosts, and pets are not believed a factor in their spread

Bed bugs require blood in order to reproduce and complete their life cycle. The effect of bed bug bites varies among people, but they eventually produce red welts that itch. The bites themselves are not painful and typically are not felt. However, frequent feeding can disrupt people’s sleep and make them irritable, and seeing bites may cause emotional distress in some people. Heavy rates of feeding can result in significant blood loss and eventually lead to anaemia, especially in malnourish

How to reduce infestation

Facts