Bed Bugs
Cimex lectularius
General Info
- Most bed bug problems start by bugs that hitch a ride into homes on luggage, furniture, clothing, or other items brought from infested areas
- Look for evidence of bed bugs by checking pillowcases, sheets, box springs, and mattresses for rust-colored smears of dried blood or small, red spots of fresh blood
- If one bed bug is found, immediate action must be taken – inspect beds and furniture to determine if the one bug was brought in alone or if there’s an active infestation present
Size
1.59 to 4.76 millimetres long
Colour
Brown | Reddish Brown
Commonly Mistaken for
Additional details
- Bed bugs are most commonly found in the seams of mattresses, box springs, or cracks and crevices in bed frames
- When populations become larger, they can spread to other furniture, drapes, dressers, carpet, and even behind pictures and wallpaper
- Bed bugs require human blood - each life stage must bite their “host” for blood to survive which is why they are often found in or very close to the bed or furniture such as armchairs and couches
- Generally bed bugs do not bite cats and dogs, however, when populations are severe, a pet may also be bitten
- Bed bug bites affect different people in different ways - some people don’t notice they have been bitten, while others may develop swelling or itchy red welts similar to mosquito bites
- Bites may itch for up to two weeks before healing
- Large populations can result in hundreds of bites
- They are very small (1.5 to 6 millimetres long) and hide in the smallest cracks and crevices which can make them hard to find and kill
- They reproduce quickly so one female bed bug can become dozens in just a few weeks
Early detection is critical to solving bed bug problems
- It is much easier to take care of a small problem before it becomes a big infestation that has spread through the whole house or apartment
- Look for bed bugs in seams of mattresses, behind the headboard and in cracks and crevices of the bed frame
- Get rid of clutter where bed bugs can hide, such as old furniture, heaps of clothes, or stored bedding like sheets and blankets
- Wash all clothing and bedding in hot water and dry them on a hot setting for more than 20 minutes – this will kill all life stages, even the eggs
- Seal cleaned clothes/bedding in large, clean plastic bags to avoid re-infestation
- Caulk or seal cracks and crevices where bed bugs may hide, particularly in the bedrooms
- Vacuum cracks and crevices where bed bugs may hide, the carpet around the bed, and any furniture suspected to be infested
- After vacuuming, seal the bag securely in another plastic bag and throw it away outside your home
- When using a spray product, make sure to directly hit as many bugs as possible
- After treating thoroughly, continue to monitor areas for signs of more bed bugs
- Repeat applications may be needed over the next 2 months
Limiting Entry/Tips when Traveling
- Visually check hotel mattresses and headboards for signs of bugs
- If concerned, avoid using the hotel drawers to store your clothes - instead leave your items in your suitcase, placed on the rack and off the floor
- Visually inspect your luggage for bugs when you leave
- At home, wash your clothes immediately transferring dirty clothes directly to the washer
- Between trips, store your suitcase in a sealed, plastic bag
Related products
Raid Max® Home Insect Killer kills a variety of household insects on contact including ants, fleas, centipedes and bed bugs.