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Bedbugs
Description
The common bedbug (Cimex lexctularius) feeds on blood from people and normally emerges at night from cracks in furniture joints, bed frames, wallpaper and skirting boards. The main host of the bedbug is people, although other warm bodied animals such as domestic pets can be parasitized. Bedbugs leave a characteristic almond or mint like smell in rooms where they are active. Bites can be painful and cause a hard whitish swelling.
Bedbugs will only feed when they are hungry. In between meals they spend their time in suitable hiding places close to the bed. Feeding normally takes about 10 minutes. Following this, the bedbug retreats back to its hiding place where it digests, mates and lays eggs until is it hungry again. They normally feed every 2-4 days, although they have been known to live up to 12 months without feeding.
When it has not recently fed, the bedbug’s body is paper thin and almost red-brown. After feeding, the body elongates and widens and the colour changes to a dull red. This apparent change is quite striking and may cause the observer to believe that two different species of insect are present.
Bedbug eggs are elongated and about 1mm long, white in colour, and have a distinct cap on one side. The eggs are laid individually or in clusters, and are cemented to wood, fabrics and other surfaces in places where bugs hide.
Distribution
Unlike most other bugs, bedbugs cannot fly and must either crawl or be passively transported in clothing or more probably in luggage, furniture, books or other objects used as harbourage.
Bedbugs are more common in areas of high population density, normally large conurbations. Holiday resorts, hotels, hostels and holiday camps have been noted for bedbug infestations. Normally, bedbugs reach their peak numbers in the UK towards early autumn.
Control
Any property infested with bedbugs can be classified as being in a “verminous condition” under the Public Health Acts of 1936 and 1961 and therefore owners may be obliged to have their premises disinfected. Bedbugs are not however regarded as disease carriers but their continuous blood feeding can cause severe irritation in some people. This can result in loss of sleep, lack of energy and listlessness, particularly in children.
Indications of bedbugs, particularly in the initial stages, are not obvious. You may notice a change in your bed, with a few blood spots on the sheets. As the infestation increases, you would probably begin to see live insects, dark excreta marks and insect skin cases.
If you do not wish to carry out treatment yourself, professional pest control companies listed in Yellow Pages will be able to help.
Alternatively,John O’Connor (GM) Ltd deliver our pest control service and they will advise you of the treatment required and the charge.
