Although bedbugs are quite small, many people wonder what an actual bedbug looks like.
Bedbugs are in the family of cimicidae, which are insects that have short forewings, oval to round body shapes and a flat profile. They are parasites of mammals and birds and though generally animal specific, bedbugs will feed on any animal that can provide a blood meal when faced with limited selections. These pests are not as horrible as you think. They don't have diseases or imply dirtiness, in fact they can show up anywhere and cross all socio-economic boundaries, and to my surprise, they can live for a long time, over a year, without food.
Bed bugs look like they are not active in the reproductive department, but that is wrong assumption. During their life span, female bed bugs can carry and survive three pregnancies. Bed bugs look like small creeping objects in crevices and small holes in the floor, the walls or even your bed. If you are sharp-eyed enough, bed bugs may look or appear as if they are vampires.
These critters are fairly fast in their movements, about equal to the speed of ants. They may be slowed down if engorged and are found mostly in hotels' mattresses, headboards, and furniture. They eventually jump into people's luggage and clothes and travel with the person to his or her next destination. Prevention takes the form of good sanitation and frequent cleaning, such as regular housecleaning and washing of bedding. As bed bugs are found worldwide, travelers abroad should also be watchful for signs of infestation.
Being slightly smaller than an apple seed they can hide in the folds and seams of mattresses and other furniture, emerging at night to feed on a warm-blooded host. Part of what makes them so tricky to eradicate is that the insects aren't confined to the bed but can also hide on shelves bedding material and even on the floor. They are not known to spread disease to people but the itching from the bites, though, can be so bad that some people will scratch enough to cause breaks in the skin that may get infected. Bed bugs are flat and thin when unfed, but become more elongate, plump and red in color when they are full of blood. They have four antennae that are attached to the head.
Nothing is worse than having bed bug bites all over your body when you wake up early in the morning. Instead of being greeted with a special in bed breakfast, you’ll start your day treating all those bites so that they won’t become worse.
