Comet Pest Control Services. Sheffield ( U.K.)
Fact Sheet: no
7
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Bed Bug ( Cimex lectularius)
The bed bug is believed to have originated from Asia, Unlike most other bugs, the bed bug is wingless and feeds exclusively on blood. It lives near the sleeping quarters of its victims. The bed bug normally attacks people as they sleep, usually at night, and are rarely seen (except when disturbed) during daylight hours. Bed bugs only search for blood donors when they are hungry, preferring to spend the rest of the time hiding in the vicinity of beds, in cracks and crevices in floor and skirting boards, in cupboards, behind pictures and wallpaper, and sometimes in clothing. They can climb up walls, and walk upside down on rough ceilings. In adverse conditions bed bugs can survive several months without feeding. They breed in abundance in warm, dirty environments, but now days are much less common due to improved conditions generally, and modern insecticides.
Description:
Bed bugs are round, flat insects, reddish -brown mahogany in colour. because of this they are sometimes termed as 'Mahogany Flats'. When they have not recently fed their bodies are paper thin. Originally from Asia they have now spread to all parts of the world. The adult is normally about 6mm in length. They were well known in ancient times in the Mediterranean area. Because they require a warm dry climate. They did not spread to northern regions until buildings started to be heated, when this did happen they spread rapidly becoming a real problem. They are now much less common due to modern control methods.
An adult bed bug can suck up to 7 times its own weight in blood in around 10 minutes.
Bed bugs have been known to survive over a year without feeding.
Life cycle:
The female bed bug lays her eggs in cracks and crevices, bed bases, head boards, and any other suitable location which is close to the host; and the eggs are cemented into position. The number of eggs the female lays is dependent on temperature and food available, but on average she will lay about 250 eggs in her life time. The young bed bug are identical in appearance to the adults but smaller. The eggs are on average 1mm long. Unhatched eggs are opaque, and pearly white in colour, thus they are sometimes termed as 'Pearly whites'. The incubation period is dependent on temperature, on average the eggs will hatch in 1 to 2 weeks, but the young do not become fully grown adults for about 2 months. They will moult 5 times during their development. In optimum conditions - i.e., at room temperature, with continuous feeding available, the adult has an average life expectancy of between 12 and 18 months.
The female lays eggs in suitable location .i.e. cracks and crevices - close to host.
The pearly white eggs are 1mm long and hatch out in 1 to 2 weeks.
The young bugs moult 5 times before reaching the adult stage, this takes about 2 months
In ideal conditions an adult will live for 12 to 18 months.
Reason for control:
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but are generally viewed with revulsion by most. In addition there is great social stigma with the older generations due to their presence being associated with low hygiene, slum properties, and generally poor living conditions which was once common place around our cities and towns. In more modern times, however, bed bugs have become much less of a social problem, mainly due to much improved social conditions, and extremely effective insecticides. However, despite this re-assurance they can still occasionally manifest themselves, and if left unchecked will breed and spread throughout adjoining properties in a relatively short period of time.
Bed bugs are parasitic feeding mainly from humans while they sleep, they cause irritation and discomfort, and loss of sleep, the bites sustained are normally found around the trunk, but any accessible areas may be bitten. bed bugs possess stink glands which when disturbed omit a foul smelling odour.
Control measures:
The presence of bed bugs must be considered and dealt with in serious fashion. No 'self treatment' methods are recommended! The insecticides used for effective control of these insects are only available to professional operators, therefore if you believe you may have a problem we suggest you seek professional advice immediately.
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Adult bed bug following blood feed