Bed Bug Identification & Prevention

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are parasitic pests that feed on the blood of mammals they come into contact with. Due to their small size, they are excellent at finding their way into clothing and luggage and hitchhiking a ride into your home. Bed bugs cause a number of problems but the most common are itchy bites they leave on skin. Adult bed bugs look like apple seeds with flat, oval-shaped bodies and six legs. Before feeding, bed bugs are a reddish-brown to mahogany color; afterward, they swell and turn a purplish-red color.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Bed bugs are not considered dangerous pests, as they don’t transmit diseases; however, the severity of their bites varies greatly from person to person. Certain people will feel every itchy bite while others won’t even realize they’ve been bitten, but people with allergies could develop a rash. Bed bugs can cause stress and insomnia to the people they attack, keeping them up at night and making it difficult to think about anything else. While they may not be directly dangerous, they are a nuisance. You should still contact a professional immediately if you’ve seen signs of bed bug activity in your home.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Bed bugs are found wherever people are. Because they can inhabit almost any public space, they are a particularly difficult pest to avoid. Any surface you touch with your clothing, bags, or personal belongings could potentially be an opportunity for bed bugs to hitch a ride on your body and into your home. Bed bugs are also commonly brought into homes accidentally through used furniture, mattresses, box springs, or newly purchased clothing items.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Bed bugs can be found in any human residence, permanent or temporary. This includes homes, apartments, hotels, motels, offices, nursing homes, schools, daycare centers, dormitories, hospitals, airports, and shopping centers. Inside your home, bed bugs are most often found in your bed; however, they may also live on furniture and inside clothing.

Typical bed bug hiding spots throughout the home include the following:

• Cabinets
• Dressers
• Walls
• Floors
• Upholstered furniture
• Wooden furniture
• Closets
• Electronics
• Behind switch plates and outlets
• Behind wooden molding
• Underneath rugs