What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1mm to 7mm, and can live several months without a meal.
Do bed bugs spread disease?
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease and should not be considered as a medical or public health hazard. Bed bugs are an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep.
What health risks do bed bugs pose?
Everyone reacts differently to a bed bug bite. Bite responses can range from an absence of any physical signs of the bite, to a small bite mark, to a serious allergic reaction.
What are the signs and symptoms of a bed bug infestation?
The tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts is generally a tell tale sign you might have a bed bug problem. Unfortunately bed bug bite marks may take up to 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:
- bed bugs’ ”skins” (exoskeletons after molting)
- finding bed bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets
- rusty–colored blood spots on your mattress
- sweet musty odor, which can smell like ripe raspberries
For more information on bed bugs and all other pest control needs contact Earth Guard Pest Services at:
916-457-7605
[email protected]