Bed Bugs

How to identify bed bugs

Bed bugs are flattened, when unfed, broadly oval insects about 1/4" long (see photo right). These true bugs (Hemiptera) are reddish brown in color and lack wings even as adults. Bed bug larvae (nymphs) look like small adults and there is no pupal stage between nymphs and adults. All stages bite to obtain blood.

Bed bugs move between their human host and the surroundings where they hide during the day. They can survive long periods off the host without feeding, or they may feed on an alternate warm-blooded host animal but humans are their preferred host.

Bed bugs bite at night and hide during the day. Because of this behavior they tend to hide in, and around, bedding. Since adult bed bugs can live 6-12 months infestations build slowly and last a long time if not treated. Heavily infested rooms often have a distinctive "sickly sweet" odor which is produced by scent glands on the insects.

common spelling: bedbug

Bed bugs bite with piercing and sucking mouthparts, similar to mosquitoes and bites result in local swelling and irritation like a bad mosquito bite. However, unlike some other blood-feeding insects bed bugs probably are not important carriers of human disease. While digesting a meal bed bugs excrete black fecal material (digested blood) that accumulates where they hide and is characteristic of an infestation. See Related Articles below for a drawing of a typical infestation.

Our recent history with bed bugs

Bed bugs have been associated with humans since our earliest history. Bed bugs bite while we sleep and probably started by pestering our earliest ancestors. Since World War II, and until very recently, bed bugs were kept largely in check with regular applications of insecticides like DDT and chlorpyrifos (trade name = Dursban).

We now realize that using hazardous insecticides indoors is not a good idea and many of them have been banned for this use. The practice of routinely applying broad spectrum insecticides indoors to control pests like bed bugs has largely stopped because of the concerns over toxicity. If insecticides are used indoors at all they are now low toxicity materials like inert dusts or botanical insecticides. So, while our indoor environment is safer it has given our old friend, the bed bug, a new foothold.

How to find and treat bed bugs

Hotels, motels and inns have been the first to experience the new bed bug invasion because of reduced insecticide use. Infestations are usually confined to one or a few rooms and if handled promptly (see Related Articles below) rooms can be effectively cleaned and the infestation eliminated. As you might guess, however, establishments are often reluctant to admit that a bed bug outbreak is underway so sometimes the infestation grows and spreads to other rooms. You should always report bed bug bites to the management because this may be the only way they can detect a problem early.

Regular cleaning and inspection of hiding places is the best control strategy for bed bugs. Insecticidal treatment of bedding and furniture may be necessary but be very cautious when using insecticides on bedding because of the potential for prolonged exposure to toxic materials while sleeping. After thorough cleaning, bedding, bedroom furniture and any other potential hiding places should be treated with a botanical dust insecticide approved for this use. One such insectcide is EcoPCO DX dust (right). See the Bed Bug Control article below for more information including a drawing of hiding places and bites.

Related articles

+ Safe & Effective Bed Bug Control - Including What Hiding Places and Bites Look Like

+ Insects and Mites that Bite

+ Using Botanical Insecticides

+ Unknown and Mysterious Bug Bites

Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.