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Bed Bugs : Cimex lectularius
Bed Bugs are a rapidly growing problem for homeowners,
multi-family housing and the hospitality industry
in the Pacific Northwest. The reason is that they
are travelers - climbing into bedding, clothing,
luggage and other forms of 'transportation' - and
relocate very easily, and will crawl up to 100 feet
for a blood meal - their staple diet, both human
and animal. And, bed bugs can live for more than
a year without feeding (nymphs can survive for several
months), so long trips aren't a problem for them.
Measuring approximately 1/8 of an inch, bed bugs
have a red-brown color and a flat, oval shaped body.
Nymphs resemble their parents but are smaller and
slightly lighter in color. Active mostly during the
night, bed bugs are ground travelers and are very
agile climbers, easily able to move up and over obstacles
such as walls and other surfaces. While they don't
have nests, per se, bed bugs will congregate in dark
places where they hide during daylight hours. Females
can lay up to 500 eggs during their lifetime and
seek out secluded places (in and around beds, in
closets, under other furniture, etc.) for laying
them. The nymphs, when they hatch, can live for months
A strong indicator of a bed bug infestation is small
brown or red spots on mattresses, sheets and bedding.
Bed bug bites can range from itchy welts, similar
to mosquito bites, to no reaction at all. Bed bugs
are a robust and persistent pest and treating for
them should always be handled by a pest control professional.
Halt Bugology Factoid
Bed bugs became relatively scarce during the latter
part of the 20th century, but their populations
have resurged in recent years, particularly throughout
parts of North America, Europe, and Australia.
Learn about other bugs in the Halt Pest Control Bug Library |
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