Over the past number of years, bed bugs have become a real problem throughout Canada, with an increase in reported cases of infestations increasing year-on-year. They make their homes in the cracks of your furniture, behind loose wallpaper and carpeting, inside curtains, behind pictures and frames, and of course around your bed, mattress, pillows, and bedding. These little critters can hide almost anywhere, but their preference to be close to their food, which makes living in close proximity to humans ideal. Bed bugs enjoy feasting on a meal of warmblood, and will not move too far away from their source of food unless they absolutely have to. Not only are they found in the cleanest of homes, but they are also expert hitchhikers, and catch rides to a host of lesser-known locations. These facts should put things in better perspective.
Facts About Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, oval-to-round shaped insects that feed on blood, sucking it from humans and other warm-blooded animals, and contrary to popular belief, do not have the ability to fly. They are extremely versatile in their habitat choice and can be found in many minute crevices around your home, and even near to where you sleep. Although their bites are not painful and are not the cause of any serious harm, they do have the ability to cause severe itching and irritation. Developing rapidly, allows bed bugs to have up to three generations of offspring in their lifetime, favourable conditions being present most of the time.
Where Can They Be Found?
Bed bugs are common across the globe, they are however much more likely to be found in cities, as well as other places that see large numbers of visitors. Due to the increase in people travel, bed bugs have made their way across the world, hitching rides with unsuspecting travellers, spreading themselves far and wide, and closer to us. Movies theatres, hotel, dorms, and motel rooms, airports, restaurants, schools, and nursing homes to mention a few, are all places that bed bugs love to call their home. Vacant homes are another favourite of theirs, as they can go without food for up to several months under the right conditions.
What They Look Like
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped creatures, and are reddish-brown in colour. The younger nymphs are usually lighter in colour, while both juveniles and adults turn red after feeding. With their small, flat bodies, bed bugs are often mistaken for ticks, fleas, or small cockroaches. An adult bed bug can measure between 5mm and 7mm, while the younger juveniles measure in at a meager 1.5mm. Although they cannot fly due to their functionless wings, bed bugs are rapid crawlers and can cover relatively large distances in no time. Thanks to this, these little critters are able to move around your home relatively easily, so be sure to be on the lookout around your place of residence if you suspect you may have an infestation.
Bed bugs are some of the most uncomfortable creatures you could have the misfortune of hosting. Once infested, your daily routine requires careful consideration and due care to prevent their spread to other areas of your life. Recognizing them and their tell-tale sign early on is your best defence against a problem of possibly epic proportions. Although there are many DIY suggestions and remedies to a bed bug infestation, the best and most effective way to rid your life of bed bugs is to call in your pest control professionals. They are a tough bug to eradicate completely, and due to the size and places they like to hide, making use of specialized equipment gets into the hardest to reach places.