Random Bedbug Facts

We get lots of questions about bedbugs. While they are annoying – there are some pretty interesting facts about bedbugs that you may be able to use in a trivia game one day.

Bedbugs, or cimicidae, are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood.
Reddish-brown, flattened, oval shaped and wingless, adult bed bugs grow to 4–5mm in length and 1.5–3mm wide.
To feed, the pests pierce the skin of their hosts with two hollow feeding tubes shaped like tongues.
With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anaesthetics, while with the other it sucks the blood of its host.
It takes between five to ten minutes for a bed bug to become completely engorged, after which it usually returns to its hiding place.
Bedbugs can cause a number of health effects including skin rashes and allergic symptoms. Worryingly, they have been found with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA.
The creatures were largely eradicated in the developed world in the early Forties, but since 1995 they have enjoyed an unwelcome resurgence, the reasons for which are unclear.
Elusive and usually nocturnal, bedbugs can be hard to spot. Aside from bite symptoms, signs include fecal spots, blood smears on sheets, and molts.
They can be found singly, but often congregate once established.
The problem is that victims think it’s related to hygiene so it’s a stigma. They’re terrified to think their house is dirty or that they’ve introduced something that has caused their family damage. In fact, bed bugs do not choose a dirty home over a clean one – all they are interested in is your blood.
Bedbugs will also feast on animals such as dogs but much like zombies they prefer the taste of humans.
While bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, doctors say there is still a question over whether they can transmit hepatitis B or C even though there have been no proven cases.

If you fear that your home, office or even vehicle may have fallen victim to bedbugs – then give Bug Off Pest Control a call! We are a family owned company who specializes in keeping your family safe! Call Today for your FREE bedbug analysis! (480) 370-5075