Facts about bed bugs

When you think of bed bugs, you typically think of big cities or third world countries. Did you know that bed bugs are actually found in all fifty states? The likelihood of encountering bed bugs is three times higher in urban areas. This is due to the greater density residences and population. These factors make it easier for them to reproduce and spread. However, rural areas are not completely immune to infestations of bed bugs. Here are some additional points of information about these pesky critters.

1. Bed bugs actually feed on human blood — While they aren’t known to spread disease or cause serious medical issues, bed bugs survive by biting humans and drawing out our blood to feed on. They typically fill up on blood in a matter of ten minutes and this meal lasts them for a matter of days. They are attracted to the moisture, warmth and carbon dioxide emitted by sleeping humans. They most often bite parts of the body that are exposed during sleep such as the arm, hands, face and neck.

2. They are intelligent enough to intentionally hide — As a type of instinctual survival mechanism, bed bugs are elusive and hide during the day to avoid detection. They are known to hide in box springs, mattresses, furniture, baseboards and even behind electrical outlet covers. They typically stay hidden until the cover of darkness falls in the room they are residing in.

3. Bed bugs can live virtually anywhere — The mention of bed bugs often conjures up images of cheap hotel rooms. However, these creatures can also thrive in single family homes, apartment complexes, college dormitories, buses, trains and even movie theaters and hospitals. They can survive basically anywhere that there are human beings to feed on.

4. Bed bugs are built to survive — They have been found to survive temperatures ranging from 122 degrees Fahrenheit to below freezing. Even though the typical meal can sustain them for 5 to 10 days, they can actually go months between feedings if necessary. These combined factors make eradicating an infestation a very difficult task.

5. Bed bugs might just have a favorite color — In lab tests, bed bugs have shown to be attracted to shelters that are red or black in color and typically avoid sheltering in places that are shades of green and yellow. The thinking is that bed bugs like to live in groups and so they are attracted to the colors that typically make up their bodies.

Because they can go so long between meals and are so talented at finding hiding places, a bed bug infestation is very difficult to completely eradicate. If you suspect that you have a bed bug problem, do not hesitate to call us at (516) 509-8362. It will most likely take a professional to successfully get rid of your bed bugs.