Pest Profile: Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs Biology and Life Cycle

The life cycle of a bed bug is rather simple. They go through stages of being an egg, a nymph, and an adult. A single female bed bug can lay several eggs in a single day, and several hundred in a lifetime. Eggs usually hatch within six to ten days of being laid. 

Once they go through five nymph stages, bed bugs reach adulthood after a total of five to eight weeks. Once adults, they can live for several months, or even up to a year. They don’t need to eat often to survive, which is one of the reasons they are so hard to get rid of completely.

Bed Bugs Habitat and Behaviour

Since bed bugs need human blood for survival, they like to live close to where humans rest. This means beds, of course, but also nightstands, furniture, and even cracks in walls. They are primarily nocturnal, coming out at night to feed on blood while people sleep. While often associated in popular culture with poor hygiene, bed bugs can actually be found in even very clean homes. Multi-unit buildings are particularly prone to bed bugs because they can move quietly between units.

Bed Bugs Treatment Options

It’s hard to get rid of bed bugs with Do-It-Yourself (DIY) methods. Instead, professional pest control services are the best bet for solving this problem. The techniques used by the pros can include target insecticide applications, heat treatments, crack and crevice treatments, and follow-up inspections. It’s often true that multiple treatments will be needed to completely solve the problem.

Major health organizations (EPA/CDC) specifically recommend Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines sanitation, clutter reduction, and heat/chemical treatments for the highest success rate.

Bed Bugs FAQs

Q: Do bed bugs spread disease?
A: No, they are not known to transmit disease to humans. However, they are still an annoying pest that can cause itching, allergic reactions, and emotional distress if present in your home. 

Q: Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
A: Some Do-It-Yourself methods will help to reduce the population of bed bugs in your home, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to eliminate them without professional assistance. And, using DIY treatments improperly can actually make the problem worse.

Q: How did bed bugs get into my home?
A: Bed bugs often enter homes by hitching a ride on things like clothing, furniture, or luggage. Returning from a trip is one opportunity for bed bugs to get in, as is having overnight guests or even purchasing used furniture.

Sources
‍https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs
https://extension.umn.edu/biting-insects/bed-bugs
https://www.cdc.gov/bed-bugs/about/index.html