Bed bugs are oval bungs that do not fly. They have flattened bodies and are usually rust or mahogany in color. They are about the size of an apple seed and are sometimes difficult to see. They are a fairly common problem, but one that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. They can be seen on the bed, especially if there is one crawling on the sheets. This is especially true if you have solid, lightly colored sheets. Usually though the bugs are not out during the day. They stay hidden in the mattress and come out at night to feed. Much like termite bait, your body lures the bugs into the open and feast on your skin and skin flakes. Termite and pest control can help you rid your home of bed bugs, but you need to understand what you are dealing with. Homeowners often have questions about bed bugs. Some of the most common ones are listed below.

What do bed bugs eat and can they survive without food? Bed bugs drink human blood. They can take in as much as six times their weight in blood during one evening. Feeding on the body can take up to ten minutes at a time. Some people think bed bugs will starve to death if they just sleep on the couch for a few days. This is not the case, since bugs can survive up to 140 days without food. Some can last as long as a year if they are old in their lifespan.

How does a person know if they have bed bugs? Usually, the notice the bites before they notice a problem with the bed. The bites appear as small, red rashes and are itchy and painful. If it happens a few times, you likely have bed bugs. You can also hunt for them. You need a magnifying glass and a flashlight. Look for black spots that are their excrement or red stains that are bugs that have been crushed. They also leave behind their brown skin casings when they molt.

Where do bed bugs hide during the day? Usually they are in the folds of the mattress, near the zippers, tags and creases. They also spend time on walls and ceilings, nearby pictures, mirrors and smoke detectors. They can be on hardware near the bed or in the drapes and curtains. If you have furniture in the room like chairs or sofas, they will also spend time there, or inside of drawers and nightstands.

Can bed bugs cause serious harm, probably not? The bites are uncomfortable, but there are no known cases of the bugs transmitting diseases. They are considered generally harmless, but the idea of sleeping while something feasts on your flesh might be enough to drive you to insomnia. They can occur in clean homes, so do not feel bad if you develop a bed bug problem. The best thing to do is get professional treatment and get the bugs out of the house as soon as you can.

Author Bio: Chuck R. Stewart is a writer who frequently writes on the topic of termite and pest control issues. He often writes about termite bait and the value of using it.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: termite and pest control,termite bait