What are bed bugs and why are we seeing more of them?
- Bed bugs ( Cimex lectularius ) are small insects that feed off the blood of humans and can hide just about anywhere! They do not fly or jump but can move quickly across surfaces. They are best known as "hitch-hikers".
- We have seen an increase in bed bugs due to travel, lack of knowledge about preventing infestations, increased resistance of bed bugs to pesticides, and ineffective pest control practices.
Photo Courtesy of National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
What are some physical signs of bed bugs?
- Bites (for some people this is the first sign)
- Fecal Stains ( brown to black spotting)
- Molted bed bug castings
- Blood spots
Please remember any small sign of bed bugs can quickly turn into something much bigger if left untreated!