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KEY THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BED BUGS- Nocturnal and feed on warm blooded animals preferably humans.
- Nymphs are small difficult to identify with the naked eye.
- They are active in the early hours of the morning.
- They don’t spend much time on their host other than to feed.
- They often return to the same location (host to feed).
- As the feed they produce a sweet sickly odour. This particular odour can be a sign of a very large infestation.
- They feed approximately every third night.
- Bed bugs absorb large amount of blood in contrast to their size which causes their body to expand. They expel (leak out) excess water and retain nutrients only. This inadvertently leaves sticky black marks in the vicinity of the bed bug resting place.
- The black marks are often the first sign of bed bugs activity as they inject their host with an anaesthetic through their mouth before they bite (start to feed).
- Bite marks on humans can mean that the level of infestation is extremely high due to their secretive behaviour and illusive feeding methods, enabling them to be present in an environment for some time before they start to bite and irritate humans.
- Population growth of bed bugs can be relatively quick and rather puzzling due to their mysterious behavioural and feeding attributes. Large infestations are usually associated with poor hygiene and housekeeping. Under ideal circumstances about 50 bed bugs can reproduce into over 6,000 in a span of time less than six months.
- Bed bugs are also known to be less active “hibernate” in colder weather and temperatures less than 13 degrees C.
Do you have bed bugs?
Ok, now that we have identified all the key features and characteristics about bed bugs in the section above lets summarise the main points which will help you determine if you are possibly living in a infested room or dwelling for that matter. Key items to look out for are:
1. Black stains on bed linen or general area around your bed as remember bed bugs are nocturnal and like to feed in the early hours while you are asleep.
2. If your room has a slight change in smell “sweet sickly”.
3. And finally the most obvious reason (probably the reason why you are reading this article) bit marks.
Bed Bug detection
If you are concerned that you may have bed bugs or if you simply would like to be proactive and test your bedroom or household for infestation there are products on the market that can help you do exactly that. The products that are on the market try and mimic host like symptoms either with pheromones, C02 gas or physical glue traps that are placed in suspected movement baths (such as bottom of bed legs). One product that stands out is BB Alert. For more information please visit www.bedbugsalert.com
The reality of the situation is that most people call their local pest controller once it’s too late and the problem is very apparent. Bite marks and irritation are your main causes. If you are at this stage it is best to make an appointment as it is very likely that fumigation needs to be undertaken. If you would like more information on bed bug detection products please send us an email on info@i-p-m.com.au.
Recent trends in bed bug infestation and growth
Since the early 90’s we have seen large growth in bed bug numbers and the general consensus is that they are on the rise. Bed bugs have been infesting hotels, hospitals, backpacker hostels, domestic dwellings and the list goes on. Some of the main reasons for the trend can be summarised below:
- Mobility – Due to the modern way of life and means of everyday living put simply bed bugs have better means of transportation. As bed bugs digest their food during the day they like to be nested away just before dawn in a secure spot preferably crevices. Sometimes these crevices just so happen to be our clothes, luggage and other personal carryon’s.
- Chemical evolution – The widespread use of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) a chemical with a long and controversial history proved to be extremely affective since its introduction in the 1940 against bed bugs and many other pests for that matter. However along with its ability to eradicate pests DDT was also know for endangering the surrounding environment including us humans. Consequently DDT was banned in the 1980 and other less evasive chemicals (that we use in today’s pest control) were introduced. Pest control is a much more sophisticated game than it was 40 years ago and as such the widespread use of pesticide has become a refined art of quantity and placement. Where this affects bed bug infestation growth is the transition in mentality and knowledge with each and every pest controller to understand the problem in this case bed bugs and implement it in his day to day work while educating the public.
Other Interesting articles
Bed Bug Infestation On The Increase
Information Source:
Gerozisis, John, and Phillip Hadlington. Urban Pest Management in Australia. Sydney: UNSW Press, 2001. N. pag. Print.
