It is almost impossible to listen to the news without hearing news about new sightings of bedbugs somewhere. Even classy 5 star hotels were not spared by this pest that was almost eradicated in the 1940s and 1950s through the use of DDT. These little critters have made a remarkable comeback in recent years.
International travel has certainly contributed to the reappearance of this pest in the USA. Travelers from countries like Africa Asia and Eastern Europe where these bugs are still common most likely gave these critters a free flight into the United States. Travelers are usually unaware that this pest hitched a ride and were imported inside the luggage or on the clothing. Bedbugs are present again in hotels motels schools apartments and houses. The risk of bringing this pest home can be minimized if travelers take some precautions and educate themselves about clues to the presence of bedbugs. Most people do not know much about these bugs and therefore do not know what to look for.
Bedbugs are tiny brown and flattened. They look like tiny cockroaches or even ticks and are sometimes mistaken for such. They feed on the blood of people and the species that is mostly encountered is called the Cimex lectularius. There are other species but they prefer to feed on bats and birds.
Fully grown adults are not even a fourth of an inch in size. Females lay eggs in secluded areas and because of the size of the eggs they are very hard to see with the naked eye. The juveniles are still only the size of a pinhead and called nymphs. A temperature between 70-80 degrees is the perfect environment for the development of the eggs. It allows a quick development of the eggs and nymphs into adults.
Cimex lectularius emerge from their hiding places at night. Mattresses cushions upholstery box springs and headboards are their preferred hideouts during the day. These hideouts are usually marked with dark stains. The dark stains are a telltale sign of these bugs. They are the excrement and indicate a heavy infestation. Even though the initial infestation is located in and around the bed eventually the whole room will be covered with these critters.
Feeding on the human only takes an average of 3 -10 minutes. The bug retreats to digest its meal in a hideout. The reaction to these bites differs from person to person. The site of the bite may be itchy red and sometimes even swollen. Each individual has a different reaction and the bite may even be mistaken for a mosquito bite.
Contrary to popular belief bedbugs are not known to transmit diseases or viruses. Another misconception is the fact that the presence of this pest indicates the level of cleanliness in a home or other establishments. This is absolutely not true. In the beginning stages of an infestation the bugs are virtually invisible and general housekeeping is not adequate to prevent an infestation. In case of a suspected infestation it is usually best to call a professional pest control service to handle the situation.
Tags: bedbugs, bedbugs control, pests