Bed Bugs
Learn More About Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are common in California. The best ways to get rid of these pests are by liquid treatment, heat treatment or fumigation. Bed bugs don't transmit diseases, but their bites can leave red itchy welts. There are more than 200,000 bed bug cases in the United States per year, and although bed bugs get their names from invading beds, these animals can also be found in small crevices.
Pest Identification:
Size
9/50 in.
Color
Unfed adult bed bugs are rusty brown and well-fed adult bed bugs are red-brown.
Body Structure
Bed bugs have flat backs which help them hide in small crevices and mattresses. The largest part of their body is their back, as that's where the blood goes. Bed bugs also have a small head. On their heads, they have a mouthpart known as a proboscis which sucks the blood from the host. The proboscis stays hidden when not in use.
Characteristics
There are 7 main stages of these insects, with stage 1 being the egg state, stage 2 being the nymph stage and these bed bugs don't become full-grown adults until stage 7. Bed bugs live between 4-6 months on average and female bed bugs can lay 5 eggs a day and 500 in their lifetimes. If bed bugs are left alone they can take over your home. If a bed bug does choose to bite you, it can be up to 9 days before the welts appear, and by then there may be hundreds of bed bugs in your home.
Habitat & Behavior
In the home, these pests are commonly found in small cracks, crevices and of course mattresses, and these pests like to stay close to humans. They can also be found behind wallpaper, baseboards, and cracks in furniture. These bugs like to feed during the night and are inactive/digesting their meals during the day.
Commonly Active
Summer / Fall
Prevention & Treatment
Check all second-hand furniture before bringing it into the home. If you place a protective cover over the mattress bed bugs are easier to spot. Change the sheets on your mattress often and when doing so check for bed bugs. As for treatments, there are three main treatments, heat treatment, liquid treatment, and fumigation. Once bed bugs are in your home they are not to be taken lightly if you want to get rid of these pests.