What is a bed bug?
Bed bugs are small, flat, brown to reddish-brown insects, which feed on warm-blooded animals, humans and pets. Bed bugs grow 2-8 millimetres long and up to 4 millimetres wide, or from about the size of a sesame seed to a grain of rice or an apple seed, or 5-15 times bigger than a flea. They are clearly visible to the human eye but to the untrained are extremely difficult to locate. Bed bugs are mostly nocturnal, to find a bed bug on top of your sheets in your bed is rare and indicates a larger infestation elsewhere. There is one particular kind of bed bug family – Cimex Lectularius, which prefers to feed on humans and it is the most common bed bug in New Zealand
Do I have bed bugs?
If you have bed bugs you will have bite marks, or skin lesions as photographed above. If bed bugs have been introduced to your home the bed bug will be looking for a meal - you.
If you do not have bite marks or skin lesions, chances are you do not have bed bugs.
How did I get bed bugs?
Bed bugs are 'hitchikers' they are introduced or carried into the affected area and are not due to poor hygiene. Bed bugs are carried around with people, vehicles, pets, luggage, furniture and clothing etc. Because bed bugs are tiny and agile and they hide well in all kinds of belongings. Bed bugs migrate by looking for a host. They easily spread from one room to another and will eventually completely infest a whole building or home if not treated.
Are bed bugs just in beds?
Bed bugs are not just in beds. Only around 20% of a bed bug infestation are in beds. They can be anywhere: Pillows, duvets, sheets, blankets and their seams, bedside cabinets, headboards, drawers and clothing, chair cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices around skirting boards, in wooden furniture with cracks or crevices, pictures and photo frames, curtains, curtain tracks, pelmets, wardrobes, shoes, stereos and televisions, remote controls, clocks, books, computers and keyboards, handbags, toys, etc...
What are the feeding habits of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans. When a bed bug bites a human it injects two hollow tubes into the skin. With one tube the bed bug injects a anti-coagulant anesthetic and with the other tube it steals your blood. Generally a bed bug will feed for about five minutes before returning to its hiding place. Also, bed bugs typically are active only at night (they start appearing at dusk) they are mostly nocturnal and live in dark places, but can be seen during daylight especially if a chance to feed occurs. Bed bugs seek blood every 2-10 days but can survive for up to eighteen months without feeding. A hungry bed bug looks slightly different from one that’s just been fed. A hungry bed bug is typically flat with a circular shaped abdomen while a blood filled bed bug is elongated with a tapered abdomen. Bed bugs consume up to three times their own weight in blood - your blood. Bed bugs feed every usually at night when people are in their deepest sleep. Bed bugs can creep up to 72 metres in just one hour looking for a host. After a feed their bodies swell up and immature bed bug nymphs become red in colour.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Typically one can’t feel a bed bug bite until minutes or hours later. The bite may look like a flat welt or a raised red bump and are often very very itchy. Their bites aren’t dangerous but rather annoying. In some cases there can be a serious allergic reaction due to the chemical they release. Doctors often misdiagnose bed bug bites due to the fact they look like other skin conditions. The bites may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to go away on their own.
What do bed bug bites look like?
Bed bug bites can be similar in appearence to a mosquito bite but can be 1-20 times larger in size, this depends on the bite and the amount of blood that has been drawn from you and the person being bitten. Bites usually show within a few hours of being bitten but can also take up to 14 days. Since bed bug bites leave red, itchy, highly visible welts on your skin, usually in groups or rows of three or more, there is little doubt when you have been bitten. Bites often follow in a line or row beside each other, cluster or group of bites.
Can I get sick from being bitten?
Bed bugs are not known to spread any diseases to humans. However, their bites leave behind itchy, red welts which can become infected from scratching.
How long does it take bed bug bites to heal?
Bed bug bites last longer than mosquito bites, but they usually go down in a few days if no new bites appear. They may take two weeks if you’re sensitive to them.
Most of the time, bed bug bites go down without leaving a scar. Injuries that you inflict by scratching at them can leave scars on your skin however. There are some ways to deal with bite scars:
- Chemical peels take off skin and possibly scar tissue
- Silicone scar sheets help
- Prescription scar creams have a stronger effect
- bed bug feeds every two or three days, usually at night when people are in their deepest sleep. Bed bugs can walk up to 72 meters in just one hour looking for a host
Do bed bug bites cause a spreading rash?
To some degree, yes. Bed bugs inject anesthetic when they bite you. This causes a rash allergic reaction sometimes. People also give themselves skin infection by scratching the extremely itchy bites hard enough to break the skin. If the rash spreads, visit a doctor; you may need an antibiotic cream for a mild infection.
How can I stop bed bug bites from itching and swelling?
Applying calamine lotion to bed bug bites can help soothe away the itching and swelling. Alternately mix a paste of baking soda and water, apply the paste to the skin for 30 minute intervals every few hours. Use a cold pack for extra relief.
Does alcohol help bed bug bites go away?
Yes, rubbing alcohol can help relief bed bug bites. The alcohol dries the bites, and plus helps sterilize the area, lessening the chance of infection. Don’t use rubbing alcohol near your eyes or your mouth. Note that rubbing alcohol does not repel bed bugs.
What natural remedy works best on bed bug bites?
If you want to try natural ways to help soothe your bed bug bites, St. John’s wort, witch hazel, oatmeal soaks, or lemon juice are recommended. We recommend using Calamine Lotion, available in our Bed Bug shop
Is there something I can put on my skin to prevent bed bug bites?
No, there’s no scientifically proven product on earth that works. Insecticides used as repellents can severally poison or kill you, some people have died doing this in desperation. While essential oils like tea tree oil are also hazardous, and do nothing. Vaseline does not work. Baby oil does not work. Nothing works - period.
How can I stop bed bug bites from itching and swelling?
Applying calamine lotion to bed bug bites can help soothe away the itching and swelling. Please see our Calamine lotion in our Bed Bug Shop, available for $7.95
If I have a pet in the room with me, will the bed bugs feed on it also?
Generally no. You are the big prime beef steak in the room with easy access. Your pet is a budget smaller meat pattie covered in a difficult furry layer. Humans are the preferred target. Pets are ideal transport for bed bugs to hitch a ride on to get around your house, or the neighbours house or on to your visitors clothng....
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| Bed Bug |
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Bed bugs are small, flat, brown to reddish-brown insects, which feed on warm-blooded animals, humans and their pets. Adults grow to 4-8 millimeters long and up to 4 millimeters wide. There is one particular kind of the bed bugs family – Cimex lectularius, which prefers to feed on humans and it is the most common bed bug in urban environment
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| How big are bed bugs? |
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Most of the time people are surprised at how big bed bugs are.
From a very young nymph to a fully grown adult, bed bugs range in size from 1-8mm in length and 1-5mm wide. 1-30 bigger than a flea, or the size of an sesame seed to an apple seed. Most times you will notice bites on yourself and tiny dark red or black blood spots or fecal matter on your sheets before you find the bed bugs. |
