Bed Bug
Comeback
Until a few years ago bed bugs were rarely
seen because of the widespread use of DDT during the 1940's and 50's to exterminate all sorts of pests in
the United States and Europe. However, bed bugs are making a comeback. Hotels and motels are among the
places that suffer most from bed bug comeback.
The bed bug comeback is mainly attributed to people travelling from country to country, from place to place or
staying in bed bugs infested hotels and motels.
As a matter of fact if you use any form of public transport or stay in hotels or motels you cannot even be sure if
your own house is bed bug free. Therefore it is important to know the basic things about bed bugs in case you need
to treat your home from infestation.
Species of bed bugs
Bed bugs are small, flat, brownish colored, nocturnal insects. They belong to the family Cimicidae that live by
feeding on human and animal blood.
Cimex lectularius, the scientific name, are the common household bed bugs. They are the species of bed bugs that
feed on humans and have adapted to human environments. This type of bed bug is found in temperate climates. Believe
it our not, they are the same bed bugs that tormented people in ancient times.
There are other bed bugs species with the following scientific names:
 Cimex hemipterus which are found in tropical regions like Florida also
infests poultry and bats.
Leptocimex boueti which is found in the tropics of South America and West
Africa infest not just humans but bats as well.
Cimex pilosellus and Cpipistrella primarily infest bats.
Haematosiphon inodora found in North America primarily infests poultry.
Physical characteristics of bed bugs
Adult bed bugs are small, oval, flattened, reddish brown, and wingless. Many people think that bed bugs are so
small and move so quick that they are not visible to the naked eye. Adult bed bugs grow to 4 - 5 mm in length and
although they move fast, they are not as fast as some perceive them to be. People do not see bed bugs because bed
bugs hide during daytime in bed, sofa or mattress crevices. They bite people only when they are still (such as
when we are sleeping).
Newly hatched bed bugs nymphs are translucent. Their color becomes browner as they reach maturity. Their size is
often compared to appleseeds.
Feeding habits of bed bugs
Bed bugs can live more than a year without feeding. But when a host is present, they feed regularly every five to
ten days.
Although bed bugs may attempt to feed on human blood anytime of the day, they are generally active and feed only at
night. An hour before dawn is bed bugs peak attack.
Bed bugs, like any other insect that feed on human blood such as leeches, inject anaesthetics on the skin of their
hosts so that piercing and blood sucking won't be felt by the human host.
This is made possible with the two hollow tubes of bed bugs. One of their hollow tube releases saliva that contains
an anticoagulant and anaesthetics while the other tube withdraws the blood.
Bed bugs feed for about five minutes and immediately return to their hiding place such as the bed mattresses and
pillows.
Health effects of bed bugs bite on humans
Unlike other blood sucking insects such as mosquitoes that carry Malaria and Dengue Fever (Yellow Fever), bed bugs
are not known to have caused transmission of any diseases that are transmitted through blood, such as Hepatitis B,
HIV, and other diseases.
They are not regarded by scientists as a medical threat, although they may cause severe
itching and skin marks on the bitten part of the skin. Skin infections and scars may precipitate due to scratching
and this may require medical attention by a dermatologist.
The redness and itch of the bitten part may subside with the use of a calamine lotion. Wash with warm water and
germicidal soap first before applying calamine lotion.
For more information visit http://www.bedbugsuncovered.com
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