Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Blood Feeders: Bed Bugs | Brown Dog Tick | Cat Flea

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Bed Bugs	Cimex Lectularius L	Insecta	Hemiptera	Cimicidae

	Size:
	These relatively smaller bugs are about 3/16 inch long and 1/8 inch wide.
	Characteristics:
	Bed bugs are very thin, oval and flat. Three segmented beak, 4-segmented antennae, compound small eyes and vestigial wings. Bed bugs can not fly but move quickly over the floors. Nymphs resemble the adults.
	Color:
	Prior to feeding, immature (nymphs) are translucent or pale in color while adults are mostly reddish brown or mahogany in color.
	Where Found:
	Bed bug infestations were common in United States before World War II but got under control with improvements in hygiene and especially the widespread control measures. In recent years, bed bugs have also made a comeback in the U.S. Now they are throughout the United States and the world.
	Habitat:
	Bed bugs are nocturnal insects and live in aggregations. They remain prevalent all over and they are increasingly being encountered in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, shelters and modes of transport. Bed bugs prefer places where humans sit and sleep such as mattresses, box springs, head boards, bed frames, furniture, sofas, curtains loose wallpaper, behind picture frames and items in the rooms.
	Food:
	Bed Bugs are blood feeders. An ectoparasite of primarily humans, it will also attack poultry and other mammals and birds.
	Biology:
	Female bed bugs lay their eggs in secluded areas on rough surfaces, depositing up to five a day (in batches of 10-50) and 500 during a lifetime. The eggs are tiny, whitish, covered and hard to see without magnification (about size of dust spec). First eggs are sticky, causing them to adhere to substrate. Newly hatch nymphs are no larger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable conditions (70-90° F) the bed bug can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more generations per year. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year. They prefer feeding on humans but also bite other warm blooded animals, including pets.
	Damage:
	Common Bed bugs are not usually considered to be disease carriers. These bugs have been found naturally infested by at least 27 human pathogens but have never been proven to biologically transmit even one human pathogen. They do suck blood from their host with piercing mouth parts that contains two needle-like stylets: one stylet has grove that carries saliva into the wound, while the other has a groove through which body fluids from the host are imbibed. Single bite is similar to that of a flea bite, except that a red area does not occur in the center. Bites are around neck, feet,arms or hands.
	Invasion:
	There are three species that attack people and may also bite bats, birds and rodents. The bed bug is a good hitchhiker and most unwelcome guests in the dwellings of mankind. Occasionally bed bugs may be picked up in theaters, on buses,trains, planes, or brought into homes on clothing, bedding, luggage, or firewood. They also live on other mammals and birds found near homes.
	Control:
	The key to success in bed bug elimination is being thorough. Since this insect does not fly, they generally live close to their host. Thorough inspection and treatment will be necessary to achieve control. Infestations of bed bugs can be detected by looking for their fecal spots, egg cases, and shed skins under wallpaper, behind picture frames, mattresses, box springs and inside cracks and crevices near where people sleep. This includes all furnishings and draperies. You may also notice blood spots on the sheets or blankets. Preparation will be necessary and laundering of sheets and mattress covers is required. Infested areas should be vacuumed before and after treatment. Remove vacuum bag, seal in additional plastic bag and dispose of it. A plastic bed cover may be purchased to seal off mattresses from further infestation. Make sure it is the type designed for this purpose. If you chose to attempt treatment, remember that contacting the insects with the material is essential to control. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions. Due to the thoroughness required during the treatment process, you may want to use a professional exterminator. Continued monitoring and possible additional treatments may be necessary. For apartments, motels, hotels or other commercial facilities, please contact us through the link listed in this web-site. This insect will require treating all areas it has spread to for effective and long-term control. It will be important to survey these areas for proper recommendations.