Identification:
Adult bed bugs are brown to reddish-brown, oval-shaped, flattened, and about 3/16 to 1/5
inch long. Their flat shape enables them to readily hide in cracks and crevices. The body
becomes more elongate, swollen, and dark red after a blood meal. Newly hatched nymphs
are nearly colorless, becoming brownish as they mature. Nymphs have the general
appearance of adults. Eggs are white and about 1/32 inch long.
Characteristics of the bed bug:
Bed bugs superficially resemble a number of closely related insects (family Cimicidae),
such as bat bugs (Cimex adjunctus), chimney swift bugs (Cimexopsis app.), and swallow
bugs (Oeciacus spp.). A microscope is needed to examine the insect for distinguishing
characteristics.
Habits:
Bed bugs are fast moving insects that are nocturnal blood-feeders. They feed mostly at
night when their host is asleep. After using their sharp beak to pierce the skin of a host,
they inject a salivary fluid containing an anticoagulant that helps them obtain blood. They
then crawl away to a hiding place to digest the meal. When hungry, bed bugs again search
for a host. Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide in expired air,
which is how they find their host. Although bed bugs can harbor diseases in their bodies,
transmission to humans is not considered dangerous, unless a person is allergic to them.
Bed bugs hide during the day in dark, protected sites. They seem to prefer fabric, wood,
and paper surfaces. They usually occur in fairly close proximity to the host, although they
can travel far distances. Bed bugs initially can be found about tufts, seams, and folds of
mattresses, later spreading to crevices in the bedstead. In heavier infestation, they also
may occupy hiding places farther from the bed. They may hide in window and door frames,
electrical boxes, floor cracks, baseboards, furniture and under the tack board of wall-to-wall
carpeting. Bed bugs often crawl upward to hide in pictures, wall hangings, drapery pleats,
loosened wallpaper, cracks in plaster, and ceiling moldings.
Bites:
The bite is painless. The salivary fluid injected by bed bugs typically causes the skin to
become irritated and inflamed, although individuals can differ in their sensitivity. A small,
hard, swollen, white welt may develop at the site of each bite. This is accompanied by
sever itching that lasts for several hours to days. Scratching may cause the welts to
become infected. Rows of three or so welts on exposed skin are characteristic signs of
bed bugs. Welts do not have a red spot in the center such as is characteristic of flea bites.
Control Measures:
A critical first step is to correctly identify the blood-feeding pest, as this determines which
management tactics to adopt that take into account specific bug biology and habits. For
example, if the blood-feeder is a bat bug rather than a bed bug, a different management
approach is needed.
Control of bed bugs is best achieved by following an integrated pest management (IPM)
approach that involves multiple tactics, such as preventive measures, sanitation, and
chemicals applied to targeted sites.
Prevention:
Do not bring infested items into one’s home. It is important to carefully inspect clothing and
baggage of travelers being on the lookout for bed bugs. Also, inspect secondhand beds,
bedding and furniture. Caulk cracks and crevices in the building exterior and also repair or
screen openings to exclude birds, bats, and rodents that can serve as alternate hosts for
bed bugs.
Outline of Indiana Pest Control’s Bed Bug Response Plan:
References:
Indiana Pest Control, Inc.
University of Florida
University of Kentucky
Harvard University
Adult bed bugs are brown to reddish-brown, oval-shaped, flattened, and about 3/16 to 1/5
inch long. Their flat shape enables them to readily hide in cracks and crevices. The body
becomes more elongate, swollen, and dark red after a blood meal. Newly hatched nymphs
are nearly colorless, becoming brownish as they mature. Nymphs have the general
appearance of adults. Eggs are white and about 1/32 inch long.
Characteristics of the bed bug:
- Wingless
- Half a centimeter long
- Flat, oval-shaped body
- Six Legs
- Light brown in color, changing to
- Squat head
- Large antennae
- Large mandibles, or mouth parts
Bed bugs superficially resemble a number of closely related insects (family Cimicidae),
such as bat bugs (Cimex adjunctus), chimney swift bugs (Cimexopsis app.), and swallow
bugs (Oeciacus spp.). A microscope is needed to examine the insect for distinguishing
characteristics.
Habits:
Bed bugs are fast moving insects that are nocturnal blood-feeders. They feed mostly at
night when their host is asleep. After using their sharp beak to pierce the skin of a host,
they inject a salivary fluid containing an anticoagulant that helps them obtain blood. They
then crawl away to a hiding place to digest the meal. When hungry, bed bugs again search
for a host. Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide in expired air,
which is how they find their host. Although bed bugs can harbor diseases in their bodies,
transmission to humans is not considered dangerous, unless a person is allergic to them.
Bed bugs hide during the day in dark, protected sites. They seem to prefer fabric, wood,
and paper surfaces. They usually occur in fairly close proximity to the host, although they
can travel far distances. Bed bugs initially can be found about tufts, seams, and folds of
mattresses, later spreading to crevices in the bedstead. In heavier infestation, they also
may occupy hiding places farther from the bed. They may hide in window and door frames,
electrical boxes, floor cracks, baseboards, furniture and under the tack board of wall-to-wall
carpeting. Bed bugs often crawl upward to hide in pictures, wall hangings, drapery pleats,
loosened wallpaper, cracks in plaster, and ceiling moldings.
Bites:
The bite is painless. The salivary fluid injected by bed bugs typically causes the skin to
become irritated and inflamed, although individuals can differ in their sensitivity. A small,
hard, swollen, white welt may develop at the site of each bite. This is accompanied by
sever itching that lasts for several hours to days. Scratching may cause the welts to
become infected. Rows of three or so welts on exposed skin are characteristic signs of
bed bugs. Welts do not have a red spot in the center such as is characteristic of flea bites.
Control Measures:
A critical first step is to correctly identify the blood-feeding pest, as this determines which
management tactics to adopt that take into account specific bug biology and habits. For
example, if the blood-feeder is a bat bug rather than a bed bug, a different management
approach is needed.
Control of bed bugs is best achieved by following an integrated pest management (IPM)
approach that involves multiple tactics, such as preventive measures, sanitation, and
chemicals applied to targeted sites.
Prevention:
Do not bring infested items into one’s home. It is important to carefully inspect clothing and
baggage of travelers being on the lookout for bed bugs. Also, inspect secondhand beds,
bedding and furniture. Caulk cracks and crevices in the building exterior and also repair or
screen openings to exclude birds, bats, and rodents that can serve as alternate hosts for
bed bugs.
Outline of Indiana Pest Control’s Bed Bug Response Plan:
- Building managers and tenants should report the identification of bed bugs to IPC at
1-800-464-4133. - Building managers, tenants, and IPC staff will develop an appropriate site specific
control plan. - Building managers should distribute bed bug fact sheets (will be given from IPC staff
when needed) to all concerned parties. - Tenants will prepare their room for treatment (further instructions to follow once
needed) - Inspect for bed bugs thoroughly
- Brush and clean surfaces
- Enclose mattresses
- The building manager will request an IPM plan from IPC.
- Schedule treatment as soon as possible and arrange for tenant to be away during
treatment. - Re-inspect premises after treatment as a follow-up.
- If infested mattresses are thrown out, they can not be recycled.
References:
Indiana Pest Control, Inc.
University of Florida
University of Kentucky
Harvard University
| Bed Bug Facts |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Indiana Pest Control, Inc. P.O. Box 6464 Kokomo, IN 46904 Toll Free (800) 464-4133 bugs@indianapest.com |
