Bed Bug Identification & Control

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

Bed bugs readily 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.

A number of true bugs feed on mammalian blood but humans are the preferred host of bed bugs. While they may transmit human diseases, bed bugs probably are not important disease vectors.

common misspellings: bedbug

Bed bugs bite at night and hide during the day. Because of this behavior they tend to hide in, and around, bedding. Adult bugs can live 6-12 months. Infested rooms often have a distinctive "sickly sweet" odor which is produced by scent glands on the insects. Bed bugs bite with piercing and sucking mouthparts. Bites result in local swelling and irritation like a bad mosquito bite. While digesting a blood meal bed bugs excrete black fecal material that accumulates where they hide and is characteristic of an infestation.

Bed bugs have been associated with humans since our earliest history. They bite while we sleep and probably started the association by pestering our cave-dwelling 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.

We now realize that using harsh 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.

Hotels, motels and inns have been the first to experience this new bed bug invasion because of reduced insecticide use. Infestations are usually confined to one or a few rooms and if handled promptly 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.

Finding and treating bed bugs

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. See the article eliminating bed bugs for our suggestions about safely controlling and inspecting for these tiny vampires.