The adult bed bug is brown, ovoid in shape, and has no wings. It is
about 1/4 inch long. The newly hatched bugs are almost colorless and similar to
the adult except they are much smaller. When full of blood, the body becomes
swollen and the color changes to dark red.
Human dwellings, birds nests, and bat caves make the most suitable
habitats for bed bugs since they offer warmth, areas to hide, and most
importantly hosts on which to feed. Bed bugs are
not evenly distributed throughout the environment but are instead concentrated
in harborages. During the day, bed bugs hide in cracks
in the walls, behind baseboards, wallpaper and pictures, where parts of a bed
are joined together around slats, around the tufts of mattresses and in the bed
clothes. They have a sweetish, foul odor which is caused by an
oily liquid they emit. Bed bugs are carried into homes in
clothes, second hand beds and bedding, furniture, suitcases, or by other
people.
Life Cycle
Bed bugs lay eggs that are 1/25"
long and are slightly curved. They are usually deposited in clusters. They are
fastened with a cement to cracks and crevices or rough surfaces near adult
harborages.
The eggs hatch in 4-12 days. The newly hatched nymph is straw colored
before feeding. After getting a blood meal, the nymph turns red or purple in
color because of the blood in its body. There are 5 nymphal stages, and it
usually takes 35-48 days for nymphs to mature.
Female bed bugs deposit 3 to 8 eggs at a time. A total of 200-500
eggs can be produced per female. The eggs hatch in 4-12 days. Adult bed bugs can
survive for 6-7 months without a blood meal and have been known to live in
abandoned houses for 1 year. In some cases they survive without humans by
attacking birds and rodents.
Control
Prior to treatment, thoroughly
vacuum all infested areas, including bedding and surrounding area. Be sure to
remove and discard vacuum cleaner bag immediately after use. Cracks harboring
bed bugs can be treated with residual sprays. A flushing agent containing a
pyrethrin can be used around cracks and crevices to locate bed bugs and force
them into the open for easier treatment.
Take the bed apart. Spray the bed frames, slats and springs with
enough spray to thoroughly wet them. Pay particular attention to the tufts and
seams of the mattress. Spray the woodwork and all walls in the bedroom at least
2 feet above the floor. Spray again if there are any new signs
of bed bugs.
