What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are six-legged nocturnal insects that feed only on blood, usually that of humans or warm-blooded animals. The most common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is the species most adapted to living with humans. Adult bed bugs appear mahogany to red in shade and are flat and oval-shaped. They can grow to be no more than ¼ inch. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color and can appear translucent.
Because of their morphology, bed bugs can live inside mattresses, baseboards, box springs, headboards, and many other cracks and crevices around the house. Bed bugs can lay 200 to 500 eggs during their lifetime. Under normal room temperatures and with an adequate food supply, bed bugs will typically live up to a total of 316 days.
When Should You Call?
If you’re waking up covered in curious bites, it may be time to seriously consider whether you have bed bugs. Because different people experience different reactions to bites from bed bugs, there’s no one specific way to describe how they appear. However, they do tend to appear as raised red bumps and also usually in clusters or patterns of three or four.
Waking up with bites would probably be the first indication. Also, since bed bugs can travel easily in between walls, if you find out that any of your neighbors or people living in apartments adjacent to yours have bed bugs, it would probably be a good idea to get your apartment checked.
We have years of experience fighting insects of all kinds and employ a wide range of methods to combat bed bugs. We will come into your home and determine the best route to control and remove the bed bugs from your bedroom.
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