Bed bug feeding on human showing penetration

Underside of a bed bug showing mouth parts

Mattress seam with bed bug fecal matter

 

Bed Bug Identification

Bed bugs are gray to reddish-brown in colour, are oval and flat, and are approximately 1 to 5 mm (1/16" to 3/16") in size. Bed bugs will be closely associated with the bed and surrounding objects such as headboards and end tables. The bat bug is similar in appearance to the bedbug, but has a heavier amount of setae on the pronotum and differs greatly in preferred habitat. Upon hatching, the nymph is a translucent flesh color which makes it difficult to see until it acquires its first blood meal - at which time is easily visible because of the red blood.

Bed Bug Habitat

The location where the insects are found can help distinguish between them. Bat bugs feed on bats and will originate in attics and wall voids where bats are roosting. Insects found in the middle of the floor, especially during the day, with no specimens found around the bed may indicate a bat bug infestation with entry into the living space via gaps around ceiling lights and other fixtures. Once the type of insect has been determined the appropriate control measures can be implemented.

Bed Bug Life Cycle

A female bed bug may deposit 1 to 5 eggs per day and may lay a total of 300-500 eggs within her lifetime. Their eggs are 1 mm long and slightly bent. They are often deposited in clusters and attached to cracks, crevices or rough surfaces near adult dwellings. The female bed bug produces a clear, sticky substance that she uses to attach each egg to the chosen surface.

Eggs hatch in 7 to 12 days depending on the conditions. There are 5 stages before a nymph bed bug reaches full maturity - each stage requires a blood feeding. This process takes approximately 4 weeks. Adult bed bugs can survive for up to one year without a blood meal.

Bed Bug Behaviour

Bedbugs harbour in hidden cracks and crevices during the day and emerge at night to take a blood meal from unsuspecting hosts. They are often associated with the sleeping quarters of an infested location as this offers a close proximity to the host. However, bedbugs can travel 10 to 100 feet for a blood meal, and will disperse to more remote areas as the infestation grows.

Bed Bug Prevention

A visual inspection of the bed mattress, headboard and linens need to be performed inspecting typical focal areas of infestation. Immediate action should be taken when bloodspots or actual bedbugs are present. A systematic approach must be taken to verify all existing and potential bedbug harbourage sites are identified and that their treatment is thorough enough to achieve control.

If you require professional bed bug removal or control, please send us your information and we will be happy to help!

Preparation Guidelines for Bed Bug Treatment

If you are scheduled to receive treatment from Abell Pest Control in the near future, use these guidelines to prepare the area: Bed Bug Treatment Checklist.

If you require professional bed bug extermination or control, please send us your information and we will be happy to help!

Other Links

• Bed bug comeback radio interview with Steven Graff (Quality Assurance Manager, Abell Pest Control)
• Bed Bug Bite Symptom (with video of a bed bug feeding)