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Facts
- Bed bugs are known as "red coats", "chinches" or "mahogany flats".
- The common bed bug that feeds on human blood is called Cimex lectularius.
- The Eastern bat bed bug, Cimex adjunctus which attacks bats and humans can enter into human homes or other premises when transported by the bats.
- Other bed bugs include the chimney swift bug, Cimexopsis nyctalis and the swallow bug, Oeciacus vicarius, which feed on birds.
- In the absence of humans, many of the bed bug species will feed on warm-blooded animals like rodents, bats, birds and other household pets and vice versa.
- A bed bug is a wingless insect that is somewhat oval in shape, flat from the top to bottom and is reddish brown in color.
- An adult bed bug measures about 1/4 inch in length.
- The bed bug sucks blood by piercing the skin with a long beak.
- The eggs laid by a female bed bug are very small, whitish in color and hardly visible to the naked eye. Each egg is comparable to the size of a dust spec.
- Newly hatched nymphs will feed immediately. They need to feed in order to molt (shed their skin) successfully. They will molt five times before becoming adults. However both nymphs and adult bed bugs can survive for many months without feeding.
- Bed bugs are active during the night, usually just before dawn. They hide during the day in cracks and crevices in walls, floors, furniture and beds and behind picture frames. Loose wallpaper can also be a hideout.
- A sign of infestation is the presence of black fecal spots that are smaller than poppy seeds or look like pepper.
- The fecal matter can be found on the mattress, mattress tag, along the mattress seams, and anywhere around the bed, including the headboard and bed frame.
- A characteristic smell may be detected due to heavy infestation.
- Cleanliness does not discourage infestation so even 5 or 6-star hotels are not spared.
- Bed bugs are known to travel around the world because they are being transported unknowingly on luggages, clothings, beddings and furniture.
- A non-chemical way to kill bed bugs is to wash infested bedding in very hot water, followed by drying on low heat for at least 20 minutes. Very cold temperatures can also kill all bed bugs of all stages. Beg bugs will not survive extreme temperatures.
- Vacuum all around the bed area including any bedside furniture, headboard, the frame, the mattress (flip it over and do not spare the seams, tag and folds), bedclothes, cracks, crevices and if the bed is near to a window, ensure that there are no hideouts around the window area as well.
- Prevent infestation by sealing all these openings. Repair or remove loose wallpaper and remove pictures or posters.
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