Bed Bugs -Most Frequently Asked Questions

What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of mammals and
birds. Adult bed bugs are oval, wingless and rusty red colored, and
have flat bodies, antennae and small eyes. They are visible to the
naked eye, but often hide in cracks and crevices. When bed bugs
feed, their bodies swell and become a brighter red. In homes, bed
bugs feed primarily on the blood of humans, usually at night when
people are sleeping.

What does a bed bug bite feel and look like?
Typically, the bite is painless and rarely awakens a
sleeping person. However, it can produce large, itchy
welts on the skin. Welts from bed bug bites do not have a
red spot in the center – those welts are more characteristic
of flea bites.


Are bed bugs dangerous?

Although bed bugs may be a nuisance to people, they are not known to spread
disease. They are known to cause allergic reactions from their saliva in sensitive
people.

How long do bed bugs live?
The typical life span of a bed bug is about 10 months. They can survive for
weeks to months without feeding.

How does a home become infested with bed bugs?
In most cases, bed bugs are transported from infested areas to non-infested
areas when they cling onto someone’s clothing, or crawl into luggage, furniture or
bedding that is then brought into homes.