BED BUGS - LIFE CYCLE - DETECTION - CONTROL

Bed bugs are parasitic insects  that survive by feeding on the blood of humans primarily, but they can also consume blood from other creatures like birds, bats, and rodents. These pests typically feed during the night when people are asleep, taking advantage of the host's unawareness. While bed bugs feed, they release a salivary secretion into the bite to prevent blood clotting. This fluid often leads to itching and swelling of the skin. Scratching the affected area can result in sores, which have the potential to become infected. While bed bugs do not transmit human pathogens, their presence can cause significant emotional distress to those affected.

Bed bugs infest various types of human dwellings, including houses, hotels, dormitories, and cruise ships. They can also be found in places like subways, movie theaters, nursing homes, hospitals, and planes. These pests hide in cracks and crevices during daylight hours, such as wall outlets, baseboards, wallpaper, pictures, bed joints, slats, mattress seams, and bed linens. Their elusive nature makes detection and control challenging. Effective management of bed bug infestations typically involves a comprehensive and labor-intensive approach that combines insecticides with other methods.

Bed bugs are transported between locations by "hitchhiking" on various items such as clothing, suitcases, second-hand beds, furniture, and bedding. Among the different life stages, female bed bugs are more prone to dispersal, indicating that the majority of bed bugs transported through belongings are likely to be females. Since female bed bugs can retain male sperm for four to six weeks, there is a high likelihood that they are pregnant during transportation. Consequently, the transfer of a single pregnant female to a new location can initiate a fresh infestation. In cases of severe bed bug infestations, a distinct sweetish and unpleasant odor is often present, caused by an oily liquid emitted by the bed bugs.