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Bedbugs
Cimex lectularius

Adapted from:

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Cimicida

Description

Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. The immatures (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color. Bed begs are flat-bodied, and wingless and display piercing-sucking mouthparts, called a proboscis. The proboscis is used to penetrate the skin of their prey (a warm-blooded animal) and obtain a blood meal. When not in use, the proboscis is held closely against the underside of the body. The nymphs (immatures) look and behave similarly to adult bed bugs, but are smaller and sexually immature.

Life Cycle

Bedbugs feed by piercing the host with their mouthparts (hollow tubes). Saliva injected at the time of feeding is associated with local and sometimes widespread hives. There are five juvenile stages known as nymphs, which are miniature versions of the adults in appearance. Each nymphal stage requires at least one blood meal to molt to the next stage and it takes 5-10 minutes for complete engorgement to occur. The entire nymphal development takes 6-8 weeks, while the adult bed bugs can live on average for 6-12 months. There may be several generations per year. All nymphal stages and adults of both sexes require blood for nutrition and development. After mating, each female lays 2-3 eggs a day throughout her lifespan. The cream colored eggs (1mm in length) are cemented on rough surfaces of hiding places, and will hatch around 10 days at room temperature.

Type of Damage

Bed bugs are mainly a nuisance pest. Their excrement may, however, stain carpets, walls, and furniture.

Habitat

Bedbugs tend not to live on humans and their only contact is for the blood meal. Most blood feeding occurs at night, and they generally seek shelter during the day and become inactive while digesting the blood meal. Bed bugs shelter in a variety of dark locations, mostly close to where people sleep. These include under mattresses, floorboards, carpets, behind paintings, skirting, in various cracks and crevices of walls, within bed frames and other furniture, and behind loose wallpaper. Bed bugs tend to stay in close contact with each other and heavy infestations are accompanied by a distinctive sweet sickly smell. Blood spotting on mattresses and nearby furnishings is often a tell tale sign of an infestation. The bugs apparently locate the host by detecting warmth and carbon dioxide. The bite itself is said to be painless, however the deposition of saliva on the abraded epidermis results in localized wheals or hives. Reactions to the bites may be delayed up to nine days before lesions appear. Common areas of the body that are affected involve the arms and shoulders.

Bedbug Control Methods

Generally these pests have become less important over the last 50 years with overall improvements in household and personal cleanliness, and with the use of effective insecticides. Resistance to insecticides has been seen and varies by region. Control is achieved by thoroughly cleaning bed cloths, mattresses and pillows. Insecticide is then used to treat the bed frame, springs, slats, and nearby crevices around doors, windows and baseboards.

Prevention (Non-chemical):

Exclusion: If an infestation is found or if you wish to take steps to keep an infestation from occurring, there are some techniques one can follow in order to exclude bed bugs from a particular location. Inspect secondhand beds, bedding, furniture, baggage, and clothing for live bed bugs before bringing them into the home. If feasible, inspect the baggage and clothing of travelers for bed bugs. In addition, caulk cracks and crevices in walls, ceilings and floors. Paint walls and ceilings where paint is beginning to peel or chip. Repair openings in the attic or basement that allow entrance for bats and wild birds. It may be necessary to have a pest management professional help with the removal of an established bat or bird population.
Sanitation: Bed bugs are less likely to be found in well-cleaned areas. Thoroughly vacuum all floors, furniture, mattresses, pillows, upholstery and curtains. It is very important to focus on creases, buttons, cording and folds. After vacuuming, dispose of the vacuum bag in a plastic bag, seal the bag tightly, and immediately remove it from the home's premises. Launder all bedding, curtains, and clothing and dry in a warm-air dryer.
Monitoring: Inspect the premises for evidence of a bed bug infestation. Search for live bugs in furniture, in bedding, behind headboards, in cracks and crevices, around windows and doors, and near chimneys. Search for caste skins, eggs, egg casings, and bloodstains or dark spots that are a result of bed bug excreta. Some bed bug infestations are reported to emit a sweet, musty odor that smells like raspberries (bed bug odor). Look for signs of alternative hosts in attics and chimneys such as birds, bats, and other warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs may be found in the nesting or bedding material of these alternative hosts.

Treatment (Chemical):

Note: Bed bugs are difficult to control. Calling a Pest Management Professional (PMP) is recommended.

Inorganic Dusts: Inorganic materials, such as boric acid, silica aerogel, and diatomaceous earth can be applied in cracks and crevices and provide long-term control in areas with low humidity. Silica aerogel is a finely ground silica (similar to glass) that adheres to the cuticle of the bed bug and absorbs its protective wax covering, causing the insect to dehydrate and die. Boric acid is a stomach toxicant that adheres to the cuticle of the insect. As the insect grooms itself, it ingests portions of the toxicant and dies. Diatomaceous earth is a finely ground dust composed of the shells of fossil diatoms. It works in a manner similar to silica aerogel.
Insecticides: The most common form of chemical control for bed bugs is the use of pyrethroids. Pyrethroid insecticides are applied locally to cracks, crevices, bed frames and headboards, door and window trims and baseboards. Pyrethroids "fogs" are also available. It is important that you only use pesticides labeled for treatment of bed bugs and use them according to labeled application instructions. Some examples of home-use products that are available for non-professional use are Raid® House and Garden Bug Killer and Spectracide® Bug Stop Insect Killer. Some examples of professional-use pyrethroids that are labeled for use against bed bugs are: Demand® CS (Syngenta), Tempo® SC (Bayer), and Suspend® SC (Bayer) and Steri-Fab® (Noble Pine Products Co.) Pyrethroid products usually are quick acting but have low residual activity.

Several other classes of insecticides have been labeled or are in the process of becoming labeled for bed bugs. Two of such, Gentrol® and Phantom®, are professional-use products. Gentrol® IGR Concentrate (Zoecon) was recently registered through the EPA as another option against bed bugs. Gentrol® uses the active ingredient hydroprene, an insect growth regulator (IGR). The active ingredient disrupts the normal development of insects, including bed bugs, as they go through metamorphosis. Gentrol® does not kill bed bugs. Instead, bed bugs that are exposed to Gentrol® become sterile and unable to reproduce. Another insecticide that may soon become registered for bed bugs is Phantom® (BASF Corp.) Phantom® uses an active ingredient known as chlorfenapyr. It is non-repellent and relatively long-lasting.