What are bed bugs and do they bite? - briefly
Bed bugs are tiny, nocturnal, blood‑feeding insects that hide in mattresses and furniture. Their bites puncture the skin and often produce red, itchy welts.
What are bed bugs and do they bite? - in detail
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, wingless insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm‑blooded hosts. Adult individuals measure 4–5 mm in length, have a flattened oval shape, and possess a reddish‑brown color that darkens after feeding. Their life cycle comprises egg, five nymphal stages, and adult, with each molt requiring a blood meal. Development can occur in as little as five weeks under optimal temperature (24–30 °C) and humidity conditions.
Feeding behavior is nocturnal; bugs emerge from concealed harborages—such as mattress seams, box‑spring frames, bed frames, and cracks in walls—to locate a host. They are attracted by body heat, carbon dioxide, and certain chemical cues. Using a piercing‑sucking mouthpart (a proboscis), they inject saliva containing anesthetic and anticoagulant compounds, then ingest blood. The feeding process lasts 5–10 minutes.
Bites are typically painless at the moment of penetration because of the anesthetic effect. Visible reactions appear later, often as small, red, raised lesions. Common characteristics of a bite pattern include:
- Linear or clustered arrangement (often three to five bites in a row)
- Itching or mild burning sensation after a few hours
- Delayed swelling that may persist for several days
Not all individuals exhibit a reaction; sensitivity varies with immune response, skin type, and previous exposure. Repeated feeding can lead to larger, more inflamed lesions, and secondary infection may occur if the area is scratched.
Detection relies on visual signs (live insects, shed exoskeletons, dark fecal spots) and the characteristic bite pattern. Control measures combine chemical treatments (residual insecticides, desiccant powders) with non‑chemical tactics (heat treatment above 50 °C, steam, vacuuming, encasement of mattresses). Integrated pest management, which includes thorough inspection, reduction of clutter, and regular monitoring, offers the most reliable eradication outcome.