More Information on Bedbug Infestations

What Are Bedbugs?

Bedbugs are oval in body shape with a short, broad head. A bedbug is brown, wingless, and flat reaching about 4-5mm in length. Adult bedbugs are easily seen by the naked eye, but nymphs are smaller and translucent in colour making them more difficult to see without a microscope. After feeding on warm-blooded animals, an adult bedbug may swell in size and appear a dark blood-red colour. Different bedbugs exist so it’s important to have an expert identify the insect before treatment.

How Do Bedbugs Feed?

Bedbugs feed on human blood. As nocturnal insects they feed sometime during predawn between 2 AM to 4 AM. Bedbugs stay close to where the host’s head lies while sleeping, like the pillow or headboard. A bedbug will feed for about 3 to 5 minutes and then return to hiding.

What Is Their Life Cycle & General Behaviour?

A female bedbug can lay up to 250 eggs in its lifetime, laying 3 to 4 eggs per day. Eggs hatch in about 6 to 10 days with the new nymphs seeking out their first “blood meal.” During their lifespan, a nymph will molt 5 times before reaching adulthood. A blood meal is required in order to molt, but once an adult a bedbug can go months without a meal.

How Do Bedbugs Find You?

Bedbugs are attracted to hosts by their carbon dioxide trail and heat. Injecting an anti-coagulant and anesthetic, the bedbug keeps the blood flowing while also keeping the bite painless to the host.

Why Are Bedbugs Commonly Found in Headboards?

Not that great at climbing smooth surfaces, bedbugs find wooden headboards and nightstands to be ideal territory. Headboard offer more cracks and crevices for hiding while the bedbug digests its meal. You can often find bedbugs on the back of headboards and under nightstands.

What Do Bedbug Bites Look Like?

Bites vary in appearance and can often be mistaken for mosquito bites or a rash. A bedbug bite can be single or a cluster of itchy bumps. A delay may occur between the time when a person is bit to the time it takes for a bite to become visible and irritate. Some people are sensitive to bites while others have no reaction.

How to Tell If You Are Infested

One major sign of a bedbug infestation includes droppings or small reddish or brownish spots found on your linens, bed frames, and walls. Bedbugs like to hide in mattresses, furniture, wall coverings, and behind pictures so checking for bedbug droppings in these areas is essential to conducting an infestation investigation. Additionally, itchy or swelling welts on your skin can mean you have been bitten by a bedbug.

To combat bedbug infestations, Premiere Pest Patrol works alongside Heat Strike Pest Control Inc.

If you believe you have a bedbug infestation, call Premiere Pest Patrol. You can set up an appointment for one of our exterminators today. Be sure to read our tips on preparing your home for your bedbug treatment.