Bedbug Control

Bed bugs (family Cimicidae) have been associated with humans for a long time. They are considered unappealing by most people and are wrongfully associated with poor housekeeping. There are several species of bed bugs that people may encounter in New Jersey. The most common is the human bed bug (Cimex lectularius).

Appearance of Bed Bug Species

The mature bed bug is a flattened, brown, wingless insect approximately ¼ to 3/8 inch long. After it has taken a blood meal, the color changes from brown to purplish-red. The size and shape also change, making it appear like a different insect. Young bed bugs are nearly colorless and smaller but resemble the adult in general shape.

Feeding Habits

Bed bugs feed mostly at night while people are sleeping. Occasionally they feed during the day, particularly if the light is dim.

When bed bugs bite, they inject saliva under the skin to help them feed on the blood. The bite itself is usually painless, but the saliva may cause itching, which may become intense in some individuals. The site of the bite may swell, leaving a lump. Generally the center of this area does not turn red. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans.

Where They Hide

Bed bugs can infest anywhere where humans live but are most common in bedrooms or other sleeping areas. They do not normally travel far so they need to live near their food source(s). Bed bugs are active at night and hide in cracks and crevices during the day. Some of these hiding places may include: in tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses and bed covers; in boxsprings; in cracked and hollow bedframes; in upholstery of other furniture; behind baseboards, peeling wallpaper, pictures; and in light fixtures. Anywhere that offers darkness and protection can be a potential bed bug hiding place. Determining their hiding places is a sometimes difficult, though essential, step in successful bed bug control.

Look for black and brown spots of dried excrement (composed primarily of blood); this can help pinpoint bed bug hiding areas. Eggs and cast skins are also signs of bed bug infestation. Sometimes a distinctive odor may be detected.

Human Bed Bugs

Human bed bugs may be encountered in homes, motels, hostels, movie theaters, transportation depots, and rest rooms. They may be accidentally moved with clothes, suitcases, furniture, and other personal items. Human bed bugs may also be transported in second-hand or rental furniture.

Life Cycle

The adult female human bed bug lays one to five eggs per day. She may lay a total of 200 eggs when well fed and temperatures are higher than 70° F. The eggs are sticky when freshly laid so they adhere to the object on which they are placed. Eggs hatch in six to 17 days.

Newly hatched bugs feed immediately when food is available. They molt five times (i.e., they shed their outer skin or exoskeleton in order to grow) before reaching maturity, feeding between each molt. There may be three or more generations per year. All ages are found in a reproducing population.

The young bugs may live for several weeks without feeding during warm weather and for several months during cool weather. A single bug will live for 10 months when it can obtain food. Under some conditions, it may live a year or longer without food. An adult human bed bug becomes engorged with blood in about 10 to 15 minutes, a young bed bug in as little as three to five minutes. It then returns to its hiding place until the blood meal is digested. The bed bug will take repeated feedings.

Chemical Control

It is unlikely that nonchemical methods alone will eradicate bed bugs. Common off-the-shelf pesticides are not likely to rid of your problem of bed bugs. Once established bedbugs can multiply rapidly, reaching numbers in the hundreds and even thousands!! Call KRB immediately if you suspect a Bedbug problem!!