Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius)

Introduction:

The bedbug was named for their habit of infesting beds and bedding in order to feed on sleeping humans. It is an ectoparasite that feeds on blood of primarily humans but will also attack poultry and other mammals. It is believed to have been brought to the U.S. with the early colonists and is found worldwide. It is also one of the earliest recorded pests of mankind.

Recognition:

Adults are approximately 3/16" in length with an oval shaped body but extremely flat from top to bottom. Nymphs are transparent until they have a chance to feed on blood. Eggs are 1/32" long and also transparent. See inset. May be confused with bat bugs (Cimex adjucntus) but upon close examination long hairs are visible on the upper body of the bat bug.

Biology:

Females lay one to five eggs per day, attaching them to seams, threads or other undisturbed surfaces. Total eggs during her lifetime average between 200 and 541. Newly hatched nymphs must go through 5 instars and require a blood meal before each molt. They will pierce the skin and inject an anticoagulant that also has a numbing quality in order to feed for three to ten minutes without being disturbed. Development from egg to adult is approximately one month. Longer development periods occur when environmental conditions are not favorable. With optimal environmental conditions they may live nearly a year. They have been known to carry some disease organisms but no evidence to date shows any actual transmission.

Habits:

Bedbugs rest and hide during daylight hours and then move toward their prey after dark. Normally they will be found on mattress and box springs or their fecal spotting will be present. As the population increases they will move to headboards, bed frames, and night stands. Additionally they will move to other furniture in the bedroom, electrical outlet covers, switch plates, picture or mirror frames, wall shelving, window frames, curtains, door frames and up the walls to rest at the junction of the wall and ceiling. Couches may also harbor this insect as they are sometimes used as a temporary bed.

Control:

Thorough inspection and treatment of all infested areas is necessary with frequent follow-ups to control this insect. High temperatures of 120 degrees F for a minimum of 15 minutes will kill all stages as well. Highly infested furniture may require disposal after wrapping to prevent insects dropping off on the way to the dumpster.

Quick Facts

• Adult bed bugs live 6-7 months and there may be four generations per year.
• Bed bugs under normal room temperatures and adequate blood supply will live up to a total of 316 days.
• Adults can live from several months to more than a year without feeding.
• Nymphs can survive up to 3 months without feeding.
• Five nymphal stages will occur, each requiring a blood meal.
• Each feeding may take from 3-10 minutes.
• Eggs are deposited in cracks and crevices behind woodwork and within beds and furniture where the adults hide during the daytime.
• Under favorable conditions, the time from egg-hatch to adult may take 35-48 days.
• Up to 150 days or more under less favorable conditions.
• Females typically deposit 1-5 eggs per day.
• One female may lay 200-500 eggs in her lifetime.
• Each egg usually takes 6-10 days to hatch.
• At least one blood meal is required to complete development during each instar, as well as for the production of each batch of eggs.

Why call Extermital for Bedbugs?

• Extermital Termite & Pest Control has been in business since 1936 and is dedicated to giving you the best and most current effective control methods for controlling your pests.
• Extermital Termite & Pest Control is the only company in the Greater Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky area that has 3 two men teams that do bed bug services each and every day.
• Extermital Termite & Pest Control is dedicated in making sure our employees are properly trained by attending weekly training meetings along with locally held training meetings so that each licensed employee can maintain his or her Continuing Credit Hours for their license.
• Extermital Termite & Pest Control offers free of charge in-house training for any facility that wants to learn more on being pro active on their inspections for bed bugs.
• Extermital Termite & Pest Control offers two treatment schedules to meet our customers' needs.

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Extermital Termite & Pest Control

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