BED BUGS FEED EXCLUSIVELY ON BLOOD

Bedbug cimicidae or bed bugs, are small parasitic insects. The most common type is cimex lectularius. The term usually refers to species that prefer to feed on human blood. All insects in this family live by feeding exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. A number of health effects may occur due to bed bugs including skin rashes, psychological effects and allergic symptoms. Diagnosis involves both finding bed bugs while bedbugs have been known to harbor pathogens in their bodies, including plague and hepatitis b, they have not been linked to the transmission of any disease and are not regarded as a medical threat. Some individuals, however, can get skin infections and scars from scratching bites. While bedbugs are not regarded as a vector of transmissible diseases, they may be a significant source of alarm or distress. Bedbugs are generally active only at dawn, with a peak attack period about an hour before dawn, though given the opportunity, they may attempt to feed at other times. Attracted by warmth and the presence of carbon dioxide, the bug pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anesthetics, while with the other it withdraws the blood of its host. After feeding for about five minutes, the bug returns to its hiding place. The bites cannot usually be felt until some minutes or hours later, as a dermatological reaction to the injected agents.

Control & Prevention Tips

There are several methods to control bed bugs. Physical methods of controlling bedbugs include

• Change bed-covers, sofa covers frequently
• Regularly mop and dust the premise
• Use bedbugs proof mattresses if available
• Steam cleaning, vacuuming, heating, freezing, washing, and throwing out items
• Natural products found at most stores.

However, our pest control operator will usually give you specific instructions to prepare for an inspection or treatment.