Color: Mahogany to rusty brown; red after a blood meal
Legs: 6
Shape: Flat; broad oval
Size: 1/4
Antennae: True
Adult bed bugs are similar in size to an apple seed, typically measuring 5-7 mm (3/16 – 1/4 inch) in length. When unfed, they appear long, brown, and possess a flat, oval body shape. After feeding, their appearance changes, becoming more elongated, balloon-like, and reddish-brown.
Bed bugs like to travel and will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply. They are elusive, nocturnal creatures. They can hide behind baseboards, electrical switchplates, picture frames, even wall paper. They come out at night for a blood meal.
Bed Bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices close to a human environment. They can be found behind baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery, and in furniture crevices. Due to their preference for bedrooms, they can be a particular problem for hotels and rental properties.
It is a good idea to regularly check bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots. Regular cleaning of bedding and bedrooms is a good deterrent. However, Bed bugs are elusive creatures, so it is imperative to seek professional pest control to address an infestation.
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, easily moving from one location to another by clinging to personal items. They are not attracted to dirty spaces. You can encounter them virtually anywhere, and they can establish nests once they enter your home or business. Common modes of entry include traveling via luggage, but they can also attach themselves in places like the office, the gym, on secondhand furniture, or even during a taxi ride.
Bed bugs are easily introduced from infested sources like used furniture or other contaminated areas. They can travel via luggage, purses, backpacks, or other personal items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces. Furthermore, in buildings with multiple units, such as apartments or hotels, they can spread easily between rooms.
Cleaning bedding at a high temperature can help kill bed bugs. It’s a good idea to also remove clutter around the bedroom to minimize the places where they can hide. However, a bed bug infestation is best dealt with by a pest control professional.