Appearance
Adult bedbugs are reddish-brown, flattened, oval, and wingless, about 1/4-inch in length. Bed bugs are wingless, and from above they are oval in shape, but they are flattened from top to bottom.
Habitat
Bed Bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices close to a human environment. They can be found behind baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery, and in furniture crevices (especially bed frames and mattresses).
Diet
Blood from both people and animals. Generally, bed bugs feed at night while the host animals are asleep. While feeding, they inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the skin, and this may lead to mild to intense allergic responses.
Control
Non-chemical bed bug prevention procedures should be implemented when traveling, because many infestations originate in luggage that is harboring bed bugs and/or their eggs. Another common source of infestaton is used furniture, especially bed frames and mattresses. When traveling, use the following suggestions to minimize your chance of bringing bed bugs home:
- Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation.
- Check your bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots.
- Consider bringing a large plastic trashbag to keep your suitcase in during hotel stays.
- Carry a small flashlight to assist you with quick visual inspections.
If you home has been infested, it is imperative to seek assistance from a licensed pest control service provider. Treatment options may include both chemical and non-chemical methods (heat treatment), as well as reducing clutter or stored items in the affected areas.