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Bedbugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects. They do not have wings and rely on humans to carry them from one place to the next.
Full-size bed bugs are usually very small, between four to five millimeters long, but are still capable of being spotted by the naked eye. Although there are many different species of bed bugs, the most common types are flat and a red-brown color.
The majority are about the size of an appleseed. Their eggs, on the other hand, are even smaller, only about one millimeter wide, which is roughly the size of about two grains of salt, and usually very hard to spot
They feed on blood from humans or animals, and they’re most active at night, feeding on their victims while they sleep.Bed bugs feed on blood as their only source of nutrition. In order to mature into adults, they must feed once during each of their immature stages. Adult females also need blood in order to produce eggs. Although bedbugs do bite humans, they are not known to transmit diseases to people.
Bed bugs, which can live on many different surfaces in your home aside from mattresses, and are considered blood-feeding insects that bite humans and other animals to survive. There are many different species of bed bugs found globally, but two of the leading types include Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus.
Although their name makes it sound like they only live inside of beds or mattresses, bed bugs can survive in other spaces too, including couches or sofas, luggage, sheets, inside dressers, or in rugs/carpets. Other than homes or motels, places where it’s common to find bed bugs include any space where people live or work in tight quarters, especially if the space is cluttered and not cleaned often — such as nursing homes, college dorms, corporate offices, schools, day care centers and hospitals.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs are considered by many experts to be one of the most challenging pests to treat, considering they’re both resilient insects and also capable of reproducing quickly. They can survive in many different climates, go very long periods of time without eating, and are small enough to live in tiny places and go easily go undetected.
There are many myths surrounding bed bugs — including that they only bite at night, are only found in the summer and can jump across entire rooms. Bed bugs don’t just wait until you’re sleeping to start biting; they’re actually capable of biting any time of day. Although it’s a common misconception that bed bugs fly and can move quickly from room to room, they don’t actually have wings, and they aren’t capable of jumping/hopping far either. Instead, they crawl from surface to surface, usually on the search for more food.
Bed bugs aren’t seasonal pests for the most part, like mosquitoes or ants, for example, and can take up residence in your home or other areas at any point in the year. Although not a seasonal insect that tends to thrive or die off at certain points in the year, surveys show that bed bugs are reported in higher numbers during the summer months. The reason experts believe this is true is because people tend to do more traveling during the summer and stay in more hotels/motels. Public transportation use can also increase in the summer months, which raises the risk for bed bugs being transmitted from location to location
The most common sign or symptom of bed bug bites is a type of dermatological reaction that causes an itchy, bumpy rash. A small percentage of people develop somewhat serious reactions to bed bugs beyond just itchy skin rashes, including anemic symptoms or various symptoms of allergies, but for the majority bed bugs are mostly just a nuance, inconvenient and downright gross to encounter. Even though there isn’t evidence that bed bugs carry dangerous human pathogens, you still definitely want to avoid them at all costs due to the rash they can cause along with “significant psychological distress.”
The most common symptoms of bed bug bites include:
*Itching on the skin, sometimes which might become intense
*Small red bumps, which tend to occur in lines or zigzags usually on the legs or arms — bed bug bites are normally flat or slightly raised in some areas and don’t have a red ring around the center, which can occur with flea bites
*Skin eruptions that might ooze puss before healing
*Dryness and pigment changes in the skin when the bites heal
There is also a strong psychological toll associated with bed bugs, since they can cause anxiety, shame and trouble sleeping for many people.
Keep in mind that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites in the same way. Some people experience little to no symptoms from bites and therefore have no idea that they’ve even been bitten. Others respond more drastically and can suffer from allergic reactions, pain and fever-like symptoms.
For people with average or strong immune systems, the majority of bed bug species are nonvenomous and relatively harmless. Bed bugs are roughly equivalent to head lice or common mosquito bites, since they cause skin reactions but usually not more. Boosting your immune system can help to reduce allergy/histamine reactions to bug bites.
The reason bed bugs can trigger skin rashes is because their saliva can carry substances that irritate human skin. Bed bug bites usually aren’t felt and don’t hurt while they’re happening because the bugs can first inject a numbing agent into the skin that makes their fangs essentially undetectable.
Although most bites cause minor reactions, including small, red bumps, some people develop more intense hive-like rashes, swelling and painful skin lesions. The most severe reactions occur in people who tend to be allergic to many different types of common bug bites, including mosquitoes or fleas.
Bedbugs are more annoying than they are dangerous or deadly. The symptoms of a bite typically disappear in one to two weeks. Use an anti-itch cream to keep yourself from itching the bite.
Take an antihistamine to help reduce the itching and burning. Ice packs can help numb the skin and reduce your urge to scratch. Use an antiseptic cream or lotion if you get an infection.
If you do suspect you’ve been bitten, you’re probably wondering how you can get rid of bed bugs in your home and prevent them from returning without the use of harsh chemicals. Prevention of bed bugs and treatment for bed bug bites include using natural bug-repellent solutions in your home, such as essential oils, along with treating skin rashes with natural skin care ingredients.
If you find bedbugs in your home, call pest control company to have your home treated. Getting rid of bedbugs yourself is hard, and you may prolong infestation if you do not get professional treatment.
Bedbugs can hide for several months without feeding, so getting a professional treatment can help you make sure you’re getting rid of the blood-sucking pests completely.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.