Bedbugs: An Equal-Opportunity Pest
"Unlike the cockroach, which thrives on unkempt environments, the bedbug is an equal-opportunity pest, invading posh, $1,000-a-night hotels with the same fervor it lends to flophouses."
Daily University Science News
An
infestation of bedbugs is NOT evidence of unclean or unsanitary living
areas. World class hotels have reported bed bug infestation in recent
years perhaps due to the increased domestic and international mobility
of society in the past few decades.
Bedbugs have a
famous history as bloodsuckers and are named due to their tendency to
feed on a bed’s occupants at night. The bedbug primarily attacks humans
but can feed on any warm blooded animal such as birds, mice, and pets.
The bedbug is found worldwide and probably came to the US from Europe
in the 17th century.
Adults are just under a 1/4” long and are relatively flat, nearly as
wide as long, and oval in shape compared to most other insects. The
color is brown to reddish brown. The body may have short golden hairs
and will exude a “sickening sweet” smell from glands on its body.
The bed bug is able to crawl into very small crevices in and around the
human environment. These include between mattresses, seams in bed
linens, upholstery, behind wood trim, inside electrical boxes, in
floors, behind wallpaper, and in any other area near a blood meal that
will hide a very thin insect. Note, however, that bed bugs will move great distances at night
for a blood meal which is why infestations occur in
beds commonly, so merely washing bed linens or other infested areas
might not eliminate the source. Bed bugs are also excellent at
relocating by hitching rides in luggage, boxes, shoes, and any other
mobile material.
Commonly, the first sign of bed bug infestation is the appearance of
small brownish or reddish dots on bed linens. These are fecal spots or
droppings on the surface of linens from these bugs. Occupants may also
notice swelling where they have been bitten.
The first step of control is to have a professional thoroughly inspect
the area. This inspection is required to determine the places where the
bed bugs are living. Once the inspection is complete, the pest control
professional will determine the proper type of control technique; treat
the area and most likely return for a follow up inspection.
How will you know if your property is infested?
If you suspect bedbugs, look for the following signs:
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If you’re unsure, it’s wise to have your property inspected by a qualified pest control company.
Keep in mind…
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"Lack of professional treatment comes with great risks, notably the possibility of litigation."
National Geographic News Story, May 13, 2004
If you believe you have a bedbug issue, give us a call at (877) 445-BUGS
UC Berkeley study demonstrates ThermaPure's effectiveness in eradicating bed bugs.
- Bedbugs
feed on blood, emerging from hiding places at night to seek their meal.
The warm blood of mammals and birds is sought when hungry.
-
Bedbugs are nocturnal. Bright lights and movements of the "host" (your
guest) cause them to crawl away to hide. If hungry, they will forage
during daylight, but only in dark areas.
- Bedbugs can exist for extended periods of time without food. Adults can survive up to one year without feeding.
- Females can lay up to 200 eggs in their lifetime at rates of up to five per day when food is abundant.
- Eggs are attached to surfaces in cracks and crevices with "cement" produced by the female.
- Eggs will not hatch in temperatures of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and up.
- Bedbugs
are usually found within 4-8 feet of food source and generally are more
horizontally mobile than vertically so they will look for hiding places
at same level as food source.
- Bedbugs are transported in furniture, baggage, and boxes, in suitcases and packed clothing and bedding.
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