Bed bugs are not seasonal bugs. Bed bugs are active all year; however, they seem to be very active in the warmer months. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first reason is bed bugs like warmer weather. The warmer weather enables the nymphs to develop faster.
Another reason is warmer weather is travel and vacation season in Philadelphia. Hotels, resorts, and other destinations are prime areas to pick up bed bugs. Bed bugs have no problems jumping on or in suitcases or bags. They do not fear traveling. One of the reasons the bugs are so problematic.
Unfortunately, the bugs do not hibernate or die in the winter. They do not like the cold and may not be as active. Though, if the home is kept warm and cozy during the winter, the bed bugs will come out to feed. Call a pest control professional to check under the bed.
WHAT DO BED BUGS LOOK LIKE?
Bed bug eggs are approximately the size of a pinhead. They are white or off-white. Eggs older than five days will have an eye spot.
The nymphs are small and hard to see. Before they begin to feed, they are translucent or straw color. They do turn reddish after feeding.
The size of an adult bed bug is equivalent to an apple seed. They have long, flat, oval shape bodies if they have not fed in a while. After a feeding, its body balloons up, and its shape becomes more elongated. They will also have a reddish tint.
WHAT DO BED BUGS EAT?
Bed bugs need blood to survive. Bed bugs need their first meal not too long after hatching to survive. They need a blood meal during each stage of life. Adult bed bugs prefer to have human hosts, but they are known to feed on other mammals and sometimes birds.
The bugs will not wait for a host to become available. They will come out of hiding and travel up to 20 feet to find a human. The most active time for bed bugs to come out to eat is at night. It is because of this that humans will wake up to bug bites. A bed bug may feed for a few minutes up to ten minutes.
WHERE DO BED BUGS LIVE?
Bed bugs are not outside bugs. Though it is not impossible to get a bed bug on a camping trip or out in the wild, it is not likely. Instead, they prefer to be warm and cozy inside. There are several places bed bugs can hide in addition to beds, carpets, and furniture.
Bed bugs are very small and fit into most crevices and cracks. They can live in the folds of the curtains, under wall hangings, and loose wallpaper. They like electric appliances, outlets, and light sockets. Wall joints and even drawer joints are even places where bed bugs can hide.
They do not build nests. Instead, they live in groups. They gather into a group to hide, lay their eggs, and patiently wait for the right time to come out. Bed bugs come out to feed at night.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BED BUGS
Bed bugs do not cause any damage to the yard, plants, or the overall landscape. They do not like to be outside. Bed bugs do not cause any structural damage to the home. They can cause loss of property, however. There are times when throwing away bedding and furniture is the best way to remove the bugs from the home.
They also can negatively affect their hosts. The bed bug bite leaves red itchy bumps or welts. Scratching the bumps open could cause an infection. Some people suffer a more severe reaction to the bug bite and may require medical care.
Bed bugs can also cause fear, anxiety, and loss of sleep. For the most part, the bugs feed at night. A person who is already experiencing bed bug visits during the night, may have problems sleeping.
ARE BED BUGS AGGRESSIVE?
Bed bugs are aggressive and patient. Bed bugs wait in their hiding places for an opportune time to feed on a host, whether a human or a household pet. After feeding, bed bugs return to safety. Unless the host wakes up, the only evidence left behind is an itchy, red spot. It is not until the host starts searching for the cause of the bumps, will the bed bugs be discovered. Unfortunately, for humans, they may not be the host for one bug. Instead, several bed bugs can feed off of the same host, resulting in multiple welts for the host.
DO BED BUGS CARRY DISEASE?
Bed bugs are not dangerous bugs. They do not transmit any diseases to humans or animals. However, its bite is itchy. For some people, allergic reactions can cause hives, blisters, and other problems that may require medical attention.
HOW TO DETECT BED BUGS
Signs of a bed bug presence include:
• Finding red bite marks on the face, neck, hands, and arms after sleeping. • Reddish stains will appear on sheets and bedding from bed bugs that have gotten crushed accidentally. • Discovering the bed bug’s molten skin. It will look just like a live bed bug. • Bed bugs have an odor to them. They have a musty but sweet smell. Detecting that order is an indication of a bed bug problem. • Bed bugs will leave their black speck droppings everywhere. • Spotting tiny, white eggs. The eggs are usually in groups.
HOW TO PREVENT BED BUGS
To help project against a bed bug infestation the following steps should be taken:
• Use protective covers for the bed’s mattress and boxsprings. • Vacuum regularly to catch bed bugs that may have entered into the house on people, luggage, and other items. Remove the bag and empty it immediately in an outdoor waste receptacle. • Seal all cracks and crevices around baseboards, doors, light sockets, etc. • Install door sweeps to prevent the bugs from leaving a room, entering the hallway, and traveling to other rooms. • Wash bedding, blankets, and clothes in the warmest possible water to kill eggs and adult bed bugs. Dry the items on the highest heat setting possible. they will tolerate • Inspect all second-hand items for bed bugs, including furniture and clothing before bringing them into the home.
AFFORDABLE BED BUG ERADICATION
Professional bed bug control is typically the only reliable, guaranteed method for ending an infestation. Studies indicate that this species is largely immune to many of the pest control treatments that are available to the public. In most cases, do-it-yourself products ultimately prove to be a time-consuming and hopeless task.
Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc. is a certified pest control company that has been providing homes and businesses with bed bug extermination for nearly 30 years.
As a certified exterminator we have access to all of the professional-grade products that are currently available for residential and commercial use. That is why we can offer our 100% assurance guarantee. It provides for follow-up treatments as needed to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Speak with a certified bed bug control professional who can answer all of your questions.
