National Geographic: Bed Bugs

The mature bed bug is a brown- to  mahogany-colored, wingless insect. Its size depends on how recently it  has eaten a blood meal. An unfed bed bug is between 1/4 and 3/8 inches  long. The upper surface of its body has a papery, crinkly, flimsy  appearance. When engorged with blood, its body becomes elongated and  swollen, and its color changes from brown to dull red. The color, size,  and shape change from an unfed to a full bug is remarkable.
 

A bed bug generally pierces the skin of humans as they sleep. It injects a  fluid into the human skin to aid in obtaining blood. Often this fluid  causes a welt on the skin that becomes irritated, inflamed, and itchy.  If left undisturbed, a full-grown bed bug becomes engorged with blood in  3 to 5 minutes. It then crawls into hiding, remaining there for several  days to digest its meal. When hunger returns, the bug emerges from  hiding and seeks another blood meal. 

It is a myth that bed bugs live in dirty places. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime; they are attracted to heat or warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. However, cluttered areas do offer more hiding spots.  

Heavily used hiding places  are evident by black or brown spots of dried blood excrement on the  surfaces where the bugs rest. Eggs, egg shells, and cast skins may be  found near these places. Usually there is an offensive odor where bed  bugs are numerous. In early infestations the bed bugs are found only  about the tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses and daybed covers; later  they spread to cracks and crevices in the bedsteads. If allowed to  multiply, they establish themselves behind baseboards, window and door  casings, pictures, moldings, furniture, loosened wallpaper,  and cracks in plaster and partitions. 

Bed bug bites can often be misidentified being that these bites can look  like the bite of another insect, a rash, or even hives. So instead,  look for the physical signs below. 

PICTURE 1: Blood stains on a pillow 

PICTURE 2: Eggs on cardboard

PICTURE 3: Box spring covering housing adults, skin castings and feces

*Pictures courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency 

1. Remove  all sheets, pillow cases, bed pads, bedroom linens, comforters, covers,  and blankets from all beds and DRY ON DRY HEAT or hottest dry cycle.  Then put in bags and seal tight. 
2. Place all food and food items inside cabinets, including toothbrushes, cups, etc.
   
3. Please also be sure to remove any items of personal nature.
4. It is necessary to remove all pets and yourself for a minimum of 4 hours after the service is completed. 

1. Used mattress or box spring
2. Used books
3. Yard sale item
4. School back packs 
5. Guests/visitors
6. Items from storage
7. Luggage

1. Use luggage racks to hold your luggage rather than setting your luggage on the bed or the floor. 
2. Another alternative is to store your luggage in the bathtub.
3. Check the mattress and headboard before sleeping.
4. Once home, unpack directly into a washing machine and inspect your luggage carefully.