Physical description: Flat, reddish-brown insects, oval-shaped and about 5mm long (unfed), resembling an apple seed. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Habitat: They live primarily in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and furniture near beds. They can also hide in cracks, crevices, behind baseboards, and in luggage.
Feeding habits: Feed on human blood at night, typically while people are sleeping. They pierce the skin and withdraw blood through their straw-like mouthparts.
Behaviour
Life cycle: Bed bugs go through five life stages: egg, nymph (first to fifth instar), and adult. The entire life cycle takes about 6-8 weeks under ideal conditions. Females lay eggs in clusters and can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime.
Activity patterns: Most active at night, especially before dawn when people are asleep and less likely to move.
Signs of Infestation
Visual signs:
Live bed bugs or reddish-brown shed skins
Tiny, dark spots (bed bug feces) on mattresses, bedding, or furniture
Blood stains on sheets or pillowcases from bites
Behavioral signs:
Itchy, red welts on exposed skin, often in clusters or lines
Health Risks
While bed bug bites are not dangerous and don’t transmit diseases commonly, they can cause itching, irritation, and difficulty sleeping.
Psychological stress and anxiety can also occur due to the presence of bed bugs.
Additional Information
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can easily travel in luggage, clothes, or on furniture.
They can survive for months without feeding and are resilient to many traditional insecticides.
