Everything You Need to Know About Bed Bugs

Have you ever found yourself sitting up at night scratching at an impossible itch? Beg bugs may be the cause!

(Two nymph bed bugs on a mattress.)

You may be asking yourself, "What is a bed bug?" The most common bed bug is a human parasite. This means that they will not feed on animals, just as fleas will not feed on humans. Beg bugs are constantly multiplying and can lay up to 500 eggs in one lifetime! The only fortunate thing about bed bugs is they do not spread or carry diseases. They are nocturnal feeders and can cause insomnia. They can live 18 months without a blood meal. You'll find them in the tufts of your mattress, within your dresser drawers, etc.

According to Robert Davidson (NYSDEC Cert. 7A, 7F, 8 Certified Public Health) IPM Consultant from Pestech, "Beg bugs are stowaways, meaning they can be picked up in places like movie theater seats, subways, taxis, or any public place."

Telltale signs of bed bugs:

• Skin casts
• Fecal spots on your mattress 
• Bed bugs themselves
• Blood smears on sheets and blankets

Bed Bug Prevention:

• Mattress and box spring encasement's are a great way to protect your bed from bed bug infestations. Anything that is enclosed in the encasement's will be entombed and die. 
• When traveling, make sure to inspect hotel rooms and furniture to prevent placing your belongings in rooms that could be infected.
• There are preventative sprays that can be used on luggage and belongings. 
• Contact a Pestech consultant for an inspection. 

Beg bugs have fragile mouth parts. This means they cannot chew or break through anything. It is recommended to put all of your clothing in garbage bags because the bed bugs cannot get through.

If you find clusters (a lot of bites in one same area), they could be from bed bugs. Bed bug bites are hard to differentiate from other insect bites, which means it is important to check for bed bugs in your home!

(Bed bug bites on a males arm.)