Bug Bullies, LLC

Exterminators​

                  Bed Bugs Life Cycle




The life cycle stages of a bed bug are egg,

nymph, and adult. The reason they

are called bed bugs is that they readily

infest mattresses, bed frames and

box springs. Eggs are laid along the

edges of or around buttons on the

mattresses. Eggs can also be glued to rough surfaces. 

Bed bug females lay about 200 eggs, usually at the rate of three or four a day, in cracks and crevices in the floor or bed. Eggs are placed in cracks, crevices and other isolated and protected shelters. Females lay eggs after a blood meal. Eggs will hatch in one or two weeks into Nymphs. Newly hatched bugs(Nymphs) begin feeding immediately. At room temperature, and with an available food supply, the nymphal period will last 14 to 30 days. They shed their skin (Instar)five times before becoming adults. Bed bugs will mate soon after becoming mature, so the time from egg hatch to egg laying will be 4 to 9 weeks, under favorable conditions. The average life span of the bed bug is 6-12 months and they will feed every 10 days or so during this time. Because bed bugs survive many months without a blood meal .their reproduction is high.

Bedbug Habits

The female will lay eggs in cracks and crevices along the edges of mattresses, box springs and bed frames. Bed bugs will also inhabit other cracks and crevices throughout a room that is infested. These other areas include; behind picture frames, switch plate covers, loose wallpaper, under door and window casings, baseboards or along the edges of carpets.

Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices during daylight hours.
They hide in the folds and tufts of mattresses, coils of springs, cracks and hollow posts of bed stands bed rails and headboards. They may be found in box springs, inside the cabinetry of furniture and the bottom and sides of drawers.
Bed bugs may hide in upholstery of chairs and sofas.
They are not restricted to these places, however.
A second common source for bedbug infestation occurs in homes where bats, swallows, chimney swifts, pigeons, or other wild hosts have been roosting. Although similar in appearance, these bedbug species that normally feed on bats and birds can be differentiated from the Common Bedbug that prefer humans. 
The bat bedbug can and often feeds on humans. The bat bedbug has long hairs on it's body. Eliminate their bat hosts from the building and seal all openings so that bats cannot enter.
Another group of bugs resembling the bed bug infest birds. These bugs are usually confined to bird nests. To control these parasites, the birds and their nests must be removed, and an application of with a residual spray such as Cyonara 9.7 should be applied to the area.

What do bed bug bites look like and do they carry disease?

Bed bugs are not usually considered to be disease carriers.

They do suck blood from their host with piercing mouth parts

but the bite is painless.The skin may become irritated or

inflamed due to the salivary fluid injected by the bed bugs

.A small, hard, swollen, white welt may develop at the site

of each bite.
It is important to recognize that not all bites or bite-like reactions are due to bed bugs. Bed bugs or their signs

will be present if it is a bed bug bite. Bed bugs do not live under the skin. If you experience biting sensations during the day, it may be an allergy related condition.  

Preventing Bed Bug Infestations
It's important to inspect used furniture, particularly bed frames and mattresses before bringing it into the home. Mattresses, in particular, carry the greatest risk of harboring Bed Bugs and their eggs. You should be wary of acquiring used furnishings, especially beds and couches.
A practice that we have incorporated in our traveling is to inspect for bed bugs in hotel rooms. If possible, carry a flashlight with you and inspect the bed area completely as described above. Also, you may want to inspect or vacuum luggage when you arrive home to prevent any transference.
Can I prevent bed bugs from entering my home?
After coming home from a trip some infestations can be prevented by washing any clothing or bedding used on the trip. Do this immediately.
If you buy used furniture, inspect very well all the items before bringing them into your residence.
Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs, or upholstered furniture into your home.