Michigan
State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500560
06/24/03
Bedbugs
Bed bugs are pests of domestic animals, bats, wild birds, and man.
Climex lectularius is the only species in the north temperate regions
that attacks man. Bed bugs are most commonly found in old hotels and
boarding houses, but you can also find them in homes, apartments,
restaurants, theaters, buses and offices. They are nocturnal insects,
feeding at night and hiding in dark places during the day. Bed bugs
feed only on blood, principally that of man. The period required to
obtain a meal is anywhere from 3 to 15 minutes. Bed bugs are oval,
flattened, wingless, and red-brown in color. Those full of blood are
red and slightly elongated. The adult is 1/4 to 3/8 inches long.
Bed bug infested rooms have a very characteristic odor. It has been
described as a musty odor, a sweet odor, and even compared to the smell
of fresh red raspberries. Other signs of infestation include black
spots that have been left on surfaces where the insects have been, and
blood stains on sheets and mattresses. The latter is a result of the
bleeding that sometimes occurs after the bed bug is finished feeding.
Swellings may result from bed bug bites; they are small, hard and white
(not red, as with flea bites).
A female bed bug can produce up to 200 eggs during its lifetime. It
lays about 3 or 4 eggs per day, cementing them in cracks and crevices
nearby. The eggs are white and are about the size of a pinhead. The
nymphs take in blood before they molt and reach maturity. This whole
process takes place in 5 to 8 weeks. In cases where conditions are not
ideal, maturity may be reached in 6 to 8 weeks. The adults live for 6
months or more; some living for 1 and 1/2 years. There are several
generations per year, and all stages of growth are usually present
within a single room.
Control.
There is a strong correlation between bedbugs found in the living area
of a household and the presence of bats in the attic. Quite often a
population of bedbugs feeding on bats in the attic migrate to the
living area. If you have confirmed the identification of bedbugs in
your household, check your attic for bats. If bats are eliminated, the
source of your infestation will be eliminated.
Bedbugs in your living quarters are difficult to eradicate. We advise
that you consult with a professional pest control company.
For a complete listing of suggested control options for all home, yard
and garden insect pests contact your local Extension Service, found
under local government in the phone book.
Read and follow instructions on the pesticide label. Heed all warnings.
Check with your physician if you have any concerns regarding your
personal health risk.
References
Revised by Tom Ellis, M.S., Department of Entomology
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June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This
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products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or
bias against those not mentioned.
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