BED BUG INFORMATION
General Information
Biology
Behavior
History of Bed Bugs
Health Risks of Bed Bugs
Photos & Videos
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BED BUG INSPECTION

Bed Bug Inspection & Detection

Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed Bug Detection
Professional Bed Bug Inspection
Methods of Bed Bug Inspection & Detection
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BED BUG CONTROL

Bed Bug Control

Controlling Bed Bug Infestations
How to Choose a Pest Management Professional
Methods of Bed Bug Control
Pesticide Resistance
Information for Hospitality & Housing Professionals
Tips for Travelers, Homeowners & Apartment Dwellers
Tips for Students
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BED BUG PROFESSIONALS

Bed Bug Professionals

Pest Management Professionals
Enlist With Bed Bug General
In the Trenches with Paul Bello
Honorable Service Award
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BED BUG PRODUCTS

Bed Bug Product Distributors

Bed Bug Product Distributors
You are here: Home > Behavior
Additional Topics
Feeding Habits Reproduction
Bed bugs in motion
Video courtesy of PJB Pest Management Consulting, LLC
 
In this video we see bed bug adults, nearly all immature stages, an unfed first instar (see bottom right), 
fecal stains, and urate stains present.
Bed bugs are a people problem, being spread by the movement of people from one location to another.
  • Except for the egg, all stages of bed bugs from nymphs to adults feed on blood.
  • Bed bugs are capable of surviving for over a year without feeding.
  • It may take several weeks for an immature bed bug to fully digest a blood meal.
  • Bed bugs can get a blood meal from other bed bugs.
  • Generally speaking, bed bugs spend most of their time hiding, preferring undisturbed areas.
  • While bed bugs are commonly active at night, they will feed in the daytime essentially attacking their host in its sleep.
  • Bed bugs will typically avoid crawling on their host when seeking a blood meal. 
While a bed bug will consume many times its body weight when taking a blood meal, much of this added weight is expelled as liquid fecal matter.  Excreted fecal liquid creates the stains that may be found in areas where bed bugs travel and hide.  And, because much of the liquid consumed is excreted, these fecal stains may be the most prevalent sign of bed bug activity observed.
 
Bed bugs spend most of their time hiding, preferring undisturbed areas.
 
You are more likely to notice the �telltale signs� of bed bugs rather than see the actual live bed bugs themselves, and this is especially so in the early stages of an infestation.

Bed Bug Behavior - Cimex Lectularius BehaviorRenowned as "hitchhikers�, bed bugs are dependent upon man to travel from place to place.  It's possible for you to transport bed bugs to other rooms, floors or locations, often unknowingly.  Many bed bug infestations begin just this way, through the unknown transportation of these pests.

In a home or apartment, the top hiding places for bed bugs are the mattress, box spring, and bed frame.  Bed bugs have also been found to hide in nightstands, headboards, dressers, chairs, couches, pet beds, and even electrical sockets.  Based on their size, bed bugs are capable of hiding nearly anywhere within a hotel room, apartment, dorm room, home, or any such place where a human host is present.

Bed bugs are an �equal opportunity infester�.  They do not discriminate between properties based upon location, type, or quality as might the discerning vacationer or business traveler.  Due simply to their nature, logistics, and other factors, every lodging location and multi-family property is subject to bed bug infestation.


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