Bedbugs
DEFINITION
Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown parasitic insects that bite the exposed skin of sleeping humans and animals to feed on their blood. Although bedbugs aren’t known to spread disease, they can cause other public health and economic issues.
About the size of an apple seed, bedbugs hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, box springs, headboards, bed frames and any other objects around a bed. The risk of encountering bedbugs increases if you spend time in places with high turnovers of nighttime guests — such as hotels, hospitals or homeless shelters.
If you have bedbugs in your home, professional extermination is recommended.
CAUSES
Bedbug infestations may be linked to:
- Increased international travel
- Changes in pest control practices
- Insecticide resistance
Where do they hide?
Bedbug infestations usually occur around or near where people sleep. They hide in the cracks and crevices of:
- Mattresses
- Box springs
- Bed frames
- Headboards
- Objects or clutter near beds
- They can also be found:
- Under peeling paint and loose wallpaper
- Under carpeting near baseboards
- In upholstered furniture seams
- Under light switch plates or electrical outlets
How do they spread?
- Bedbugs are great hitchhikers. They can move from one site to another by traveling on clothing, luggage, furniture, bedding and boxes.
- Bedbugs can crawl about as fast as a ladybug, and can easily travel between floors and rooms in hotels or apartment complexes.
Sign of uncleanliness?
- Bedbugs don’t care if their environment is clean or dirty. All they need is a warm host and plenty of hiding places.
SYMPTOMS
It can be difficult to distinguish bedbug bites from other insect bites or rashes. In general, the sites of bedbug bites usually are:
- Red, often with a darker red spot in the middle
- Itchy
- Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster
- Located on the face, neck, arms and hands
- Some people have no reaction to bedbug bites, while others experience an allergic reaction that can include severe itching, blisters or hives.
When to see a doctor
If you experience allergic reactions or severe skin reactions to bedbug bites, see your doctor for professional treatment.
