| Appearance |
 Adult bedbugs are reddish-brown, flattened, oval, and wingless, about 1/4-inch in length. Bed bugs are wingless, and from above they are oval in shape, but they are flattened from top to bottom. |
| Habitat |
| Bed Bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices close to a human environment. They can be found behind baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery, and in furniture crevices (especially bed frames and mattresses). |
| Diet |
Blood from both people and animals. Generally bed bugs feed at night while the host animals are asleep. While feeding, they inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the skin, and this may lead to mild to intense allergic responses.
|
| Control |
|
Non-chemical bed bug prevention procedures should be implemented when traveling, because many infestations originate in luggage that is harboring bed bugs and/or their eggs. Another common source of infestaton is used furniture, especially bed frames and mattresses.
When traveling, use the following suggestions to minimize your chance of bringing bed bugs home:
- Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation.
- Check your bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots.
- Consider bringing a large plastic trashbag to keep your suitcase in during hotel stays.
- Carry a small flashlight to assist you with quick visual inspections.
If you home has been infested, it is imperative to seek assistance from a licensed pest control service provider. Treatment options may include both chemical and non-chemical methods (heat treatment), as well as reducing clutter or stored items in the affected areas.
|
|
