Recognizing a bed bug,
By appearance
A bed bug that has just hatched is semi-transparent and a light tan color. It is only about the size of a pin head. Adult bed bugs are much easier to see. They are flat and have a brownish-red oval shaped body. Adult bed bugs are around the size of an apple seed. Some people confuse bed bugs with other bugs such as carpet beetles, snowbugs, or nymph cockroaches.
From its markings
If you have bed bugs you may notice droppings, eggs, and blood stains. Droppings and eggs may be visible along the seams of your mattress or on your sheets and pillow cases. You may also see them on upholstered furniture and in the cracks and crevices of furniture. Bed bugs also hide in baseboards of walls so you may find them there as well.
From its bite
Some people do not have a reaction to bed bug bites but others do. Bite marks may appear right away or you may not see them for a day or more. They will appear on skin that that is exposed during sleep so it is a good idea to sleep with your skin covered. Bites may appear as small bumps or you may get large welts that are itchy. They will probably disappear after a few days. Bites may look like mosquito bites or other insect bites. If they are bed bug bites, you will often see them appearing in a row or cluster on an area of skin.
How bed bugs grow and reproduce
Bed bugs are nocturnal and they crawl onto our exposed skin when we sleep. They inject a mild anesthetic while sucking up blood. The actual bite will not usually be felt. Bed bugs need the blood to lay eggs. In order to reach adult stage, bed bugs need at least five blood meals. They will feed before each stage of growth. Female bed bugs lay 5 to 7 eggs a week and can lay as many as 200 to 500 during the span of her life. It takes about 10 days for an egg to hatch and 2-4 month for the bed bug to be fully grown.
Health effects of bed bugs
Bed bugs are a pest and getting bit can be a nuisance but bed bugs do not spread disease. Bites may be itchy but they are likely to disappear in a short period of time. An anti-itching ointment can take the sting away from a bite if it is bothering you.
Though bed bugs will not make you ill, you do not want an infestation in your home. If you suspect or know that you have bed bugs, it is best to get them exterminated so they do not spread throughout the home. In the Regina area you can call Rox Bugs to quickly and safely get rid of the problem.
