Size: 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch.
Color: Adults are reddish-brown, oval, and appear flattened.
Signs: They have microscopic hairs that give them a banded appearance. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in color and become browner as they reach maturity. In most observed cases, bites consist of a raised red bump or flat welt, and are often accompanied by intense itching. Bedbug bites may appear indistinguishable from mosquito bites, though they tend to last for longer periods.
Behavior: The bed bug pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anesthetics, while with the other it withdraws the blood of its host. After feeding for about five minutes, the bug returns to its hiding place. The bites cannot usually be felt until some minutes or hours later, as a dermatological reaction to the injected agents, and the first indication of a bite usually comes from the desire to scratch the bite site. Because of their dislike for sunlight, bedbugs come out at night.
Habitat: Mattress seams, sheets, under baseboards, wall outlet covers, picture frames, cracks and crevices. It is often a mistaken notion that filth attracts them. Bedbugs are attracted by exhaled carbon dioxide and body heat, not by dirt, and they feed on blood, not waste. In short, the cleanliness of their environment does has some effect on the control of bedbugs but… unlike cockroaches, does not have a direct effect on bedbugs because they feed on YOU and not on waste.
Control: It is often a mistaken notion that filth attracts them. Bedbugs are attracted by exhaled carbon dioxide and body heat, not by dirt, and they feed on blood, not waste. In short, the cleanliness of their environment does has some effect on the control of bedbugs but… unlike cockroaches, does not have a direct effect on bedbugs because they feed on YOU and not on waste. Home remedies may give limited and temporary relief but bed bugs will continue breeding and you will have a much bigger problem within weeks. Bug bombs and aerosol pesticides will not rid an area of bed bugs. Select Pest Control has the expertise, training and equipment needed to get the job done safely, correctly and effectively.