What are bed bugs? - briefly
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects of the family Cimicidae that hide in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas and feed on human blood during the night. Their bites cause itching and may lead to skin irritation.
What are bed bugs? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, wing‑less insects belonging to the family Cimicidae, genus Cimex. Adults measure 4–5 mm in length, are oval‑shaped, and display a reddish‑brown coloration that darkens after feeding. Their bodies consist of a head, thorax, and abdomen, each bearing six legs and specialized mouthparts designed for piercing skin and sucking blood.
The life cycle comprises three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Females lay 1–5 eggs per day, depositing them in crevices, seams, or behind wallpaper. Eggs hatch in 6–10 days, releasing first‑instar nymphs. Nymphs undergo five molts before reaching maturity; each molt requires a blood meal. Under optimal conditions (20–30 °C, high humidity), the entire cycle can be completed in 4–5 weeks, allowing rapid population expansion.
Bed bugs are obligate hematophages, feeding exclusively on warm‑blooded hosts. They are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, and certain chemical cues. Feeding typically occurs at night when the host is at rest; the insect inserts its proboscis into the skin, injects anticoagulant saliva, and ingests blood for 5–10 minutes. A single feed provides enough nourishment for several days of inactivity.
Physical signs of infestation include:
- Small, rust‑colored spots on bedding (digested blood)
- Shed exoskeletons (exuviae) after molts
- Live insects visible in seams, mattress tufts, or wall cracks
- Faint, sweet, or musty odor produced by the insects’ glands
Health effects are generally limited to skin reactions such as erythema, itching, or papular rashes. Some individuals develop allergic responses or secondary infections from scratching. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease pathogens, their presence can cause psychological distress and sleep disruption.
Detection relies on visual inspection and the use of traps that exploit the insects’ attraction to heat or carbon dioxide. Monitoring devices, such as interceptors placed under bed legs, capture crawling insects and provide early warning.
Control strategies combine multiple tactics:
- Mechanical removal – vacuuming, steam treatment, and laundering infested fabrics at ≥ 60 °C.
- Chemical treatment – application of registered insecticides (pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, desiccants) following label directions.
- Physical barriers – encasement of mattresses and box springs in zippered covers that prevent harboring.
- Professional intervention – integrated pest management programs that coordinate inspection, treatment, and follow‑up.
Effective eradication requires thorough coverage of all harborages, repeated treatments to target emerging nymphs, and ongoing monitoring to confirm absence of activity.