Bed bug ( Cimex Lectularis)
Bed bugs many decades ago were a common pest in slum and other properties related with poverty, its presence as a nuisance pest had declined due to improved living conditions ie: the increase of insecticides, less use of second hand furniture, improved building maintenance etc.
The once long forgotten Bed bug has re-appeared and is now a major concern globally in houses, apartment, hotels and guest houses; this is not a hygeine related pest issue.
They can occur in the cleanest of homes and hotels, the Bed bug can be brought from overseas or from building to building in clothing and luggage.
Bed bugs are associated with man, however they are not proven to be carriers of diseases.
Identification of an adult Bed bug
Colour : red to brown
Size : approx 4-5mm long, flat and oval, they have well developed legs, mouthparts are well adapted for biting / piercing human or animal skin, these insects are wingless.
Habitats and Biology :
The female Bed bug will lay approx 200-500 white elongate eggs which are approx 1mm long over a two month period, these are deposited and fixed into cracks and crevices near to the targeted host.
Bed bugs undergo incomplete metmorphis ie: (adults and nymphs appear the same but grow each time they cast a skin), the complete life cycle can take approx 2-4 months.
Nymphal Bed bugs will only feed once in each stage of growth, where as adults will feed many times during their life. if a host is not present then the adults will survive approx one year without a food supply.
During the day Bed bugs will hide in cracks and crevices near to the area where the host sleeps ie: bedframes, headboards, alarm clocks, light switches, plug sockets, mattress seams and behind loose wall paper.
Bed bugs produce a sweet sickly smell in which during high levels of activity is quite noticeable to the human nose, this can be quite alarming when noticed.
These are nocturnal pests and will emerge at night to feed on humans, if no host is present then a domestic pet will be bitten.
Treatment :
Carefully inspect seams of mattress including buttons, tell tale signs are the red or black dots depending on the time the blood has been excreeted. inspect the bedframe and headboard, especially any gaps or crevices.
Inspect closely all areas near to the bed such as floor boards, peeling wall paper, underneath carpets, dado rails etc. other likely areas which may contain evidence are: light switches, bedside lamps, ceiling roses and items such as alarm clocks and bedside cabinets.
Check rooms either side of the effected area as Bed bugs will travel through partioning walls and floors, check rooms above and below in case they are carried from room to room or travel along conduits and cables.
Mattresses can be sprayed in a fine mist with products that are cleared for the intended use: ie muscatrol, alternaively they should be encased using an appropriate bug proof sealed cover.
Sheets and blankets should be laundered in hot detergent water above 60 degrees C, 140 degrees F for atleast 10 minutes. Dry cleaning will also kill all stages of growth, beware that the laundry may also be infested so there is possibilty that the bedding could become re-infested after this treatment.
Headboards, frames and internal areas of the bed should be stripped and treated with the appropaite insectide cleared for this use, make sure to treat all possible crevices found.
Treat all other revelant areas such as crack and crevices throughout the room using the appropiate dusting powders and sprays as required, we are not advertisers for manufacturers so please check for Bed bug clearence when purchasing products.
Heavy infestations should be Fumigated by a professional company using the appropiate Fumigants which are now being withdrawn from the market, alternatives are heat treatment which leaves no residual insectide value and is proved to be very efficient if used correctly.
All treatments for Bed bugs carry pro's and con's depending on the situation, location and many other factors attached to a safe and effective treatment.
Further information on Bed bugs can be found on links that we have on our website: forums and specialists.
