| Bed bugs | Bed bugs | Bed bugs are ectoparasites, which means that they feed on the outside of their host. They attack humans, bats, chickens, and occasionally other animals. Adult bed bugs are flat and small (around 1/4 inch long). They are broadly oval in shape, wingless, and typically rusty brown-red in color. Immediately after feeding, adults are more elongated and torpedo-shaped, gradually returning to their flat, oval shape as their meal is digested. Adult females lay tiny eggs that hatch into nymphs in about a week. Immature nymphs resemble adults but are smaller (less than 1/10” to about 1/4” depending on developmental stage) and lighter in color. The pale white or yellowish nymphs turn bright red after a blood meal. While nymphs need blood meals to complete their development into adults, adult bed bugs can go as long as a year without a blood meal. During the day, bed bugs hide in crevices like the cracks of the floor or bed frame, along mattress and couch seams, and behind head boards, picture frames, or wall moldings. At night, they come out of hiding to feed. Bites often occur as a row of several raised, reddened bumps. The bites may resemble those caused by mosquitoes and can be very itchy. Although bed bugs have not been known to transmit disease, the body’s reaction at the bed bug feeding site can cause welts, local inflammation and discomfort. Bed bugs move around by hitching rides or laying eggs on clothing, furniture, bedding, and baggage. While bed bugs prefer humans, they will also feed on other animals such as rats, mice, bats, and birds including swallows and chickens. |
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