Treat Bed Bugs

The scientific name for the most common bed bug is the Cimex Lectularius. Their color is rust to mahogony. The bed bug is a true bug belonging to the family Cimicidae. The name Cimex comes from the common Roman name for this particular insect.

The adult is brown, oval, flatenned, wingless and is about 4 to 5 mm in length. Newly hatched bugs are tan and a little translucent. When fed, the body becomes swollen and the color becomes a dull red to darker brown.

The body has microscopic hairs which result in a banded appearance. This reveals hairless areas between the segments. The antennae have four segments between a pair of compound eyes, which do not show well. They have a joined beak which is situated below the head and the coxae of the forelegs.

There are three known species of bed bugs that attack humans. Cimex Lectularius is the most common, and may also use other hosts. These hosts include bats, chickens and sometimes other domestic animals. Cimex hemipterus is apparently confined to tropical regions such as Florida. They might also infest chickens and bats. Leptocimex boueti attacks bats and humans in West Africa.

Bed bugs are not regarded as disease carriers, but their blood feeding can cause severe irritation in some people. This in turn causes loss of sleep, lack of energy and listlessness, particularly in children. Different individuals react differently to bites, some even gaining an immunity.

In the modern world, many factors are helping to sustain existing bed bug populations. Modern building techniques and the increase use of central heating, wall to wall carpets, loft and cavity wall insulation allows continued feeding and proliferation during winter.

What attracts these bugs? An unclean room may be the most common cause. There are also other causes. For example, bed bugs are often found in areas where birds have nests. This means there are many places in the world that can be homes for the bugs. The bed bugs can easily be transferred from animals to human homes. Seeing pictures of people who have been bitten can be a real eye opener to the reality of this problem.

If you think you have bed bugs, you must get the facts and eliminate them. The Bed Bugs Bible has everything you need.