10 Facts About Bed Bugs That Will Keep You Up at Night
Bed bugs have long been a fabled, infamous nuisance, similar to lice and chickenpox. The numbers don’t lie: one in five Americans has dealt with bed bugs or knows someone who has. To add on to the complexity, these blood-sucking critters are often mistaken for fleas or cockroaches. Instead of misdiagnosing the bumps and welts you acquired at night, these 10 facts about bed bugs will help to familiarise you with the shocking characteristics of these microscopic parasites.
1. Bed bugs are harder to spot than you think
Bed bugs are very small, but not invisible to the naked eye. In general, adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, although they can almost double in size after feeding. Their eggs are even tinier, about only one millimetre in length. This makes them easily missed, in addition to their habit of squeezing their flattened bodies into mattress seams and clothing folds.
2. Bed bugs are big eaters
Ever wondered if a bed bug can drain a human dry? While it would probably take thousands of bed bugs for that to be possible, these little “vampires” can consume up to seven times their body weight in blood in one night. Incidentally, some research shows that the stress induced by bed bug infestations can cause low blood volume and iron levels, which may become harmful.
3. Bed bugs can accommodate your sleep schedule
Most of us are under the impression that bed bugs are nocturnal, which isn’t entirely true. These pests just know to hide when their hosts aren’t around and only emerge, often at night, when their hosts return and they can resume feeding. If you work at night and sleep during the day, you can expect bed bugs to adjust their cycle to suit yours.
4. Bed bugs are attracted to your warmth and exhaled carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide and body temperature serve as attractants to bed bugs. Cluttered spaces and grime only provide more potential hiding spots for bed bugs to take shelter and reproduce.
5. Bed bugs take about 5 to 10 minutes to feed
Bed bugs hitch a ride on personal belongings to make their way to humans. When it’s mealtime, they commence feeding by piercing the skin, drawing blood for 5 to 10 minutes. During this period, bed bugs also inject an anaesthetic and an anticoagulant (blood thinner) into your skin, explaining why their bites are often fast, undetectable and painless.
6. Bed bugs aren’t disease carriers
Unlike cockroaches and mosquitoes, bed bugs aren’t disease vectors, meaning they are not capable of transmitting infectious human diseases. Even though this implies they usually aren’t dangerous, they are still considered a public health concern. Bed bugs can be incredibly invasive and bring a long string of other health and economic consequences.
7. Some people might have no reactions to bed bug bites
The small red marks are skin reactions where bed bug bites have occurred. However, the severity of these reactions can vary for each individual, and allergies are distinct from the common response of itchy bumps. Some people might experience severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fever, and in rare cases, bed bug bites can lead to anaphylaxis. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of individuals, perhaps even up to 60%, do not develop any reactions to bed bug bites at all.
8. Bed bugs have difficulty climbing smooth surfaces
Bed bugs have a noticeable preference for textured surfaces in their harbourage locations. This arises from their lack of adhesive pads, found in many other insects, that make it difficult for them to scale smooth, vertical surfaces such as glass doors and wall tiles. Plus, bed bugs are unable to fly or jump; although it’s important to note that even painted walls still offer enough grip for bed bugs to climb and crawl on.
9. In colder climates, bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding
The cold-blooded nature of bed bugs allows them to slow down their metabolism in colder climates, reducing their need for feeding for up to one year. According to Scientific American, these parasites can survive at room temperature (roughly 23°C) without a blood meal for two to three months.
10. Bed bugs can be anywhere
If you haven’t realised it yet, bed bugs can thrive anywhere because they can be transported anywhere! These resilient creatures are commonly found in places where humans spend a significant amount of time, such as homes, movie theatres, hotels, office buildings and public transport. Beds, in particular, are known to be ruled by bed bugs because they offer easy access to food sources with minimal risk and without the need to travel long distances. Cracks and crevices, as well as dark spaces are prime spots for bed bugs to reside in.
Don’t Let Bed Bugs Disrupt Your Sleep
At the very beginning of the article, we highlighted that bed bugs are adept at hiding, making them one of the most challenging and persistent infestations to tackle and eradicate, especially without professional help.
Star Bugs stands at the forefront of combating these resilient and sometimes hazardous pests. We offer a range of comprehensive and effective treatment options to address these nuisance parasites. Our solutions are non-toxic and eco-friendly, putting us among Singapore’s top pest control companies that prioritise sustainability alongside powerful pest management.
Tonight, rest assured and sleep tight, knowing that these pests won’t disturb you when you’re in the capable hands of our expert professionals at Star Bugs. We ensure that bed bugs won’t have the chance to bite.