What are Bed Bugs?                                            Bed bugs are a type of wingless insect.  Adult bed bugs have oval-shaped bodies.  Prior to feeding, they are about ¼ inch long and flat as paper.  After feeding, they turn dark red and become bloated.  Bed bugs have a one-year life span during which time a female can lay 200 to 400 eggs.  Eggs hatch in about 10 days. 

Who is at risk for getting bed bugs?               In the past, the presence of bed bugs was thought to be related to poor housekeeping.  But increasingly, bed bugs are being found in hotels, motels, restrooms, bus and train stations, movie theaters, medical offices, in the workplace, schools, airports, planes and even cruise ships.  Without knowing it, you can bring bed bugs into your home.  Travelers can accidentally carry bed bugs in their luggage.  Bed bugs can also hide in furniture, (second-hand) mattresses, moving trucks or boxes delivered to your house.

Do bed bugs cause harm or spread disease?Bed bugs are not known to transmit human disease.  But their bites can cause intense itching and welts on the skin, which can become irritated and infected when scratched.  Bed bugs also have stink glands that leave odors.

How can I tell if I’ve been bitten by a bed bug?                                                                            Bed bugs suck blood from humans and other mammals.  The bite of a bed bug is similar to those caused by many other blood-feeding insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas.  The bites tend to occur on the arms and shoulders, and can cause swellings on the skin that may itch.

What is the treatment for bed bug bites?Wash the bites with antiseptic soap to reduce the risk of infection.  Resist the urge to scratch because this may intensify the irritation and itching, and could lead to infection.  Apply an icepack frequently to help relieve swelling.  If you think the bites have become infected or you would like medicine to lessen the itching, visit a health care provider.  Doctors often treat patients with antihistamines and corticosteroids to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation.  Numerous dark fecal spots on linen or near cracks are another indication of a larger infestation.

How can I check my house for bed bugs?   Bed bugs are tough to identify because of their small size.  Because bed bugs mostly only feed in the dark, your best chance to catch them on the run is to check bed linens in the middle of the night.  In the daytime, look for bed bugs under folds in mattresses, along seams, and in between bedposts and bed slats.  (Do not hesitate to conduct a similar visual while staying in a hotel/motel) Once bed bugs multiply, they may also be found in baseboards, window and door casings, pictures and picture moldings, in furniture, loosened wallpaper, couches, popcorn ceilings and stuffed chairs.  When a large number of bed bugs are present, they produce a distinctive pungent odor.