Bed Bugs:

• • Usually, come out to feed on human blood at night however in heavy infestations they can feed anytime
  • Found virtually every place people tend to gather, including residents, hotels, schools, offices, retail stores, and public transportation
  • Vary in size depending on life stage; Adults are 1/4 inch long, nymphs range from 1.3mm to 405mm.
  • The shape also varies depending on life stage, sex and how much they have fed

Bed Bugs feed on human blood preferably, however, they will dine on warm-blooded animals. They are not known to transmit diseases, however, their bites can cause extreme red itchy welts in some persons.

So were do Bed Bugs live? They can live anywhere that provides a close contact with human environments. They hide in small cracks and crevices near where they feed. Usually can be found in baseboards, wallpaper, picture frames, and furniture cracks. They can also hide in backpacks, purses, and yes, even your cell phone and laptops.

How do people get Bed Bugs? Bed Bugs are extremely amazing hitchhikers. For example, you could easily transport a single bug on your pant leg from one place to another and before you know it, your house is the new breeding zone.

Do you think you may have Bed Bugs? Please contact McDonald Pest Control to have one of our professionals inspect your home. Early diagnosis is key to successful immediate elimination.

Bed Bugs Life Cycle:

Bed bugs develope from microscopic eggs and begin the 5 lifecycle developmental stages to adulthood. After hatching from an egg, each life stage can only be reached by obtaining a blood meal. This process usually takes between 24 – 36 days when exposed to an environment providing blood meals. Adult bed bugs are easily seen by the naked eye, however, eggs and first stage instars can be difficult to spot as their color is transparent and size is extremely small.

Who is at risk for getting bed bugs?

Everyone!! Bed bugs are not picky and can thrive in even the cleanest environments. A bed bug problem does not indicate an unclean or cluttered home or business. There are situations that do pose a higher risk of exposure to bed bugs as follows:

• • • Purchasing clothing, furniture, and beddings from second-hand stores or garage sales
    • Having guest from out of town as well as you staying in someone elses home
    • Staying in hotels, motels, college dorms, boading schools and camps
    • Persons that travel on busses, planes, taxis, Ubers, etc.

How can I prevent a bed bugs infestation?

There are several steps you can take to minimize your risk of contracting bed bugs in your daily routine.

• • • Inspect  second-hand furniture, beddings, and clothing
    • While staying at hotels, motels, never place your luggage on the bed.  Always use the luggage racks
    • During and after traveling, inspect your luggage for signs of bed bugs
    • Use mattress encasements and other early detection devices
    • Clean up the clutter. While bed bugs can live anywhere, they especially like areas where they can thrive uninterrupted.  Stacks of papers piles of boxes and just “stuff” are bed bugs favorite places to hide.