There can be instances where not knowing what a bed bug looks like can cause unnecessary worry or even panic to the person afflicted. Many clients have sent me samples to identify, thinking it was a bed bug but really wasn’t. Even though you can “google” everything nowadays, familiarizing yourself with the bug can go a long way for your serenity! If you think you have bed bugs, check out my article “Identify if you have bed bugs” for more information on the subject.
In the following article, you will find the latest information on the anatomy of the bed bug specimen, its characteristics and easy identification of the species.
What Does A Bed Bug Look Like?
The term “Bed bugs” traditionally has been annotated to anything that dares to crawl on our beds……. so, when an insect is found on our lovely mattress, automatically we think it’s a “bed bug”, even though it could be a harmless beetle.
A bed bug can be seen with the naked eye, although newly hatched nymphs can be hard to spot without a flashlight.
Usually they will be a copperish brown color, or even red right after feeding.
They are roundish and flat when not full, and when fully fed, they swell up and elongate to a cigar shape.
Adults are about five millimeters or the size of a lentil or an apple seed.
Females tend to be slightly bigger than the males.
Bed bugs are known for their ability to survive without feeding for several months, depending on temperature and humidity levels.
Their bites can cause itchy red welts on the skin, and in severe infestations, a musty odor may be present.
Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans, but their presence can cause psychological distress and embarrassment.
To eliminate bed bugs, it is important to hire a professional pest control service, or employ proper extermination techniques for assured success.
What Is A Bed Bug?
A bed bug is considered to be a “true” insect. This means its body is composed of three segments, the head, thorax (pronotum) and abdomen.
Bed bugs are from a family of insects that are “parasites”(cimex), therefore depending on another species to survive.
It has six legs that it uses to scurry along pretty quickly when not fed. When fully fed, they tend to be slow and clumsy.
Bed bugs have antennae that can detect heat, enabling them to “see” you similar to an infrared scope! They are very flat, so they can fit just about anywhere.
Bed bugs are nocturnal and prefer to feed on human blood while we are asleep, with their sharp, straw-like mouthparts piercing the skin to access blood vessels. However, they can survive up to a year without feeding, making them difficult to eradicate.
Signs of a bed bug infestation may include bites on the skin, rust-colored or dark spots on bedding or furniture, and a sweet, musty odor. If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation.
Do Bed Bugs Carry Disease?
Bed bugs actually do carry pathogens in their organism. There’s about forty five known pathogens found in bed bugs at any given time but many studies have shown not to be transmissible.
When bed bugs bite, they introduce an anticoagulant into the bite wound which can cause itchiness eventually, therefore aggravating the area affected. They tend to bite repeatedly around the same area, usually an exposed limb or even the face or neck, aggravating the skin of the host.
Although bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause allergic reactions and secondary infections from scratching the bites.
Can Bed Bugs Fly?
This species lacks the ability to fly or leap. Bed bugs are wingless, even though the presence of wing pads can be seen on its thorax because a bed bug is considered an insect and most insects do have wings.
The fact that originally these bugs migrated into caves in order to feed on bat blood, they lost the need to fly (bats would pick them off!), they, (bed bugs) rather adapted to hide in cracks and crevices to avoid bat detection, losing its wings.
Over time, they evolved into the flat, oval shape we recognize today, allowing them to easily hide in tight spaces such as mattress seams, bed frames, and baseboards. While they may not have wings, they are able to move quickly over short distances, which allows them to crawl from place to place in search of a blood meal.
Overall, the lack of wings has not hindered their ability to survive and thrive in human habitats, as they have become a persistent and difficult pest to control.
FAQ
1. What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They are commonly known as bed bugs, bedbug or common bed bug. The scientific name of bed bugs is Cimex lectularius, and they belong to the family Cimicidae which is part of the order Hemiptera.
2. How do bed bug infestations occur?
Bed bugs infestations can occur from numerous sources including:
– Travel: Bed bugs can easily be picked up from hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities
– Second-hand furniture: Bed bugs can also be brought into your home from used furniture such as mattresses or sofas
– Clothing and other personal belongings: Bed bugs can also be transported through your clothes or other personal belongings.
Bed bug infestations can also occur due to a lack of proper sanitation, which can cause bed bug populations to grow rapidly.
3. What are the signs of a bed bug infestation?
Following are the signs of a bed bug infestation:
– Bed bug bites: small bites on the skin
– Bloodstains on mattress or bedding
– Fecal stains on mattress or bedding
– Shed skins or eggshells near areas of infestation
– A musty odor near areas of infestation
4. How can I control bed bugs?
Bed bug control can be done through several measures including:
– Chemical control: Insecticides can be used to treat areas of infestation and prevent bed bug populations from growing.
– Non-chemical control: Non-chemical methods such as using diatomaceous earth, vacuuming, and using high heat can also be used.
– Prevention: Regular cleaning, sealing cracks and crevices, and avoiding second-hand furniture can prevent the spread of bed bugs.
It is recommended to seek professional help for complete and effective bed bug control.
5. What are bed bug bites like and how can I treat them?
Bed bug bites are usually small, red, and itchy bumps on the skin. They can also cause allergic reactions in some individuals. To treat bed bug bites, anticoagulant creams can be used to reduce itching and inflammation.Some people may also experience psychological effects such as anxiety and insomnia due to the presence of bed bugs in their environment. It’s important to properly identify and eliminate bed bugs to prevent further infestations and potential health issues.
Final Thoughts
Bed bug infestations have become a major concern in recent years due to the pest’s sudden resurgence and the difficulty in controlling and preventing their spread.
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., is an insect species that feeds on blood and is known to cause discomfort and skin irritations in humans. Bed bug bites may result in mild to severe cutaneous reactions, and in some cases, anaphylaxis.
Responses of the common bed bug to insecticides used to control bed bugs have been a cause of concern in bed bug management. The effectiveness of insecticides on individual bed bugs may vary depending on the life stages of bed bugs, with eggs being the most resistant stage.
Mortality of bed bugs exposed to insecticides may also vary between fed and unfed bed bugs. The Department of Entomology recommends a combination of chemical and non-chemical methods to prevent bed bugs, including vacuuming, sealing cracks and crevices, and using mattress encasements.
Apart from concerns about disease transmission, there is little evidence that the common or tropical bed bugs, C. hemipterus, are biological vectors of disease. However, the impact of bed bug infestations on human health and mental well-being cannot be ignored.
The bites of bed bugs may cause anxiety, stress, and sleep deprivation. The psychological effects of bed bugs include depression, social isolation, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Bed bug bites may also lead to secondary infections and scarring. For more on this topic, check out our article HERE
The spread of bed bugs is limited by their inability to fly or jump, but they can be easily transported through clothing, luggage, and furniture. Early detection and prompt treatment are important in bed bug management.
Regular inspection of living spaces and immediate treatment of bed bug infestations can help prevent the spread of bed bugs and minimize their impact on human health.
Knowing your enemy well will enable you to understand how to eliminate bed bugs from your home if afflicted by them at any given time. Check out “Bed bugs 101 the basics” for more interesting bed bug facts and info.
Utilizing the proper techniques will assure you that tackling this problem naturally can be effective and permanent. Feel free to browse through the many articles on bed bug science, treatment and general information.
Any questions or comments are welcome and looking forward into helping in your bed bug issues.
All the best, Wilson.
