Know Thy Enemy – 8 Facts About Bedbugs

1 – How do you know if you have bedbugs? Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there. Look closely – bedbugs love to hide in the cracks and crevices associated with mattresses, cushions, pillows, bed frames, side tables and other structures. They are rarely seen out in the open. Also look for tell-tale signs of bedbug infestation such as specks of blood or feces on the linens, mattresses, bed frames, near baseboards or behind wallpaper.  When in doubt, call in a professional bedbug exterminator.
2 – What does a bedbug look like? Bedbugs generally have flat oval bodies, are reddish-brown in color and are similar in size to a dog tick. Bedbugs are sometimes described as appearing like an apple seed. Adult bedbugs range in size from 5-7 mm (<1/4 inch), while nymphs (juveniles) may be a small is 1.5 mm (1/16 of an inch). After feeding, they appear enlarged, or engorged, with blood. Adult bedbugs turn from more brown to more red in color, while the translucent nymphs may become bright red.”
3 – When/how do bedbugs bite? Bedbugs are attracted by warmth and carbon dioxide. If you are warm and breathing then you are a bedbug magnet. Bedbugs typically bite at night on exposed areas of skin such as the face, neck, hands, and arms. The bite itself is painless and usually goes undetected. Bedbugs inject anticoagulant (a blood thinner) as they feed which makes feeding easier for the bedbug and less detectable to you. Feeding usually takes 5-10 minutes.
4 – What do bedbug bites look like? Bedbug bites can look similar other insect bites such as mosquitos or fleas. Clues that suggest the presence of bedbugs include finding red, itchy bites upon awakening, especially if the bites line up in a row on the skin or cluster of 2-4. While some people develop a reaction immediately, others may take two to three days before a reaction becomes noticeable, and approximately 30% of people do not react to the bites at all. A bedbug bite can appear as a tiny puncture wound without a surrounding reaction, and can easily be missed. Other people have strong reactions, with large, red, raised and itchy welts. This is especially true if one is sensitive to other types of bug bites.
5 – Do bedbug bites require medical treatment? Bedbug bites do not typically require treatment. Clean the bite sites with soap and water and avoid scratching to prevent infection. If secondary infection occurs it should be managed with antibiotics as appropriate. Progressive swelling, warmth, tenderness, and sometimes fever may be signs of secondary infection. When in doubt, consult your doctor. In general, the most common complaints of itching.
6 – Are bedbug bites dangerous? Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, bedbugs are not associated with disease transmission. While some pathogens have been detected in and on bedbugs such as hepatitis B, bedbugs have not been found to transmit disease.
7 – What are other effects of having bedbugs? Some people experience anxiety, sleeplessness, and unease as a result of having had bedbugs. Bedbug infestations are understandably significant psychological stressors, and some people may experience sleeplessness as they worry about bugs biting them or their family members. People have been known to self-isolate, avoiding family and friends out of concern for spreading the infestation. They may also be avoided by friends or others in the community, or find they have problems at work. As a result, victims of bedbug infestations may experience moderate to severe levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and should seek treatment as required.
8 – Should I reach out to bedbug professionals? Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate. We suggest getting professional help such as exterminators or bedbug sniffing dogs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorses that appropriate control of bedbug infestation requires an experienced pest management professional and recommends that victims be advised against attempting control measures themselves.