Don't let the bed bugs bite!
We all remember hearing adults say “don’t let the bed bugs bite” while we were being tucked in at night. We probably didn’t think much of this back then because bed bugs were a distant thought. Something we considered fictional as children.
In the last several years bed bugs have become a serious problem in the United States. The problem is worse around bigger cities and towns. The threat of bed bugs is something we all should worry about, and be vigilant in avoiding. Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of on your own, and almost impossible to guarantee that you’ve gotten them all or that they won’t come back.
Identifying a bed bug
Bed bugs have a life cycle. Bed bugs look different in each of the stages in this life cycle. There are three main stages of the bed bug life cycle.
These 3 main stages of the bed bug life cycle are:
- Egg
- Nymph
- Adult
Bed bug eggs
Bed bug eggs mark the first stage in the life of a bed bug. They can be laid by themselves or in clusters. They resemble a piece of white rice. Bed bug females require a food supply (blood) to lay eggs. If they have a good supply they can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime.
Bed bug nymphs
There are 5 instars the bed bug nymph goes through before reaching its adult stage. They moult, shedding their exoskeletons in order to grow. Bed bug nymphs must eat to be able to moult and move to the next instar. Each instar lasts from 4-8 days before finally moulting into the adult stage.
Bed bugs begin this stage nymph stage looking yellowish white in color. They slowly change to a reddish brown color as they move through the instars. The nymphs can be difficult to see unless they have recently eaten, after a meal they are easier to spot because the blood in their gut is visible through the exoskeleton.
Bed bug adults
Bed bug nymphs will reach adult stage after about 5 weeks. At this point they are ready to start reproducing. They must eat though, to be able to undertake this task.
Bed bug adults are:
- approximately the size of an apple seed
- oval & flat in shape
- red to reddish brown color
- three segment beak
- six legs
- four segment antenna
- small wing pads behind head
If you've seen bed bugs or think you've seen bed bugs don't take a chance.
Contact Walker Pest Management, South Carolina’s Bed Bug Experts, today. We have been ridding homes of bed bugs for over 17 years. Our Heat Remediation Treatment is second to none. We have the equipment, training, & experience to deal any bed bug problem. In 1 day your home can be free from bed bugs.
