Bed bugs have been annoying humans for a long time. Though not a common problem recently, Bed Bugs are making a big comeback.
A few years ago, I went to a pest control conference in Boise, and one of the speakers spoke on this very same subject. As he was presenting his material, I kept saying to myself, “thank goodness we don’t have Bed Bug problems here in the treasure valley!” His parting words were ominous: “If you haven’t seen bed bugs here in the Boise area, it’s only a matter of time.” That time has come! Calls for problems with bed bugs have skyrocketed since 2013, and this year looks to be no different.
Here are some pictures of a bed bug in Boise that I took just this week:
Adult Bed Bugs is 1/5 inch long and about 1/8 inch wide. They are reddish brown in color. Bed bugs feed on blood, their primary hosts are humans, but can also feed on poultry, rodents, dogs, cats, etc. Bed bugs can go long periods of time without a blood meal, even up to a year. When they haven’t recently had a blood meal, their bodies are very flat and oval in shape.
A female will lay 2 eggs per day, until she has laid 200. At room temperature, eggs will hatch in 6-17 days.
Bed bugs hide out during the day in cracks and crevices, folds and tufts of mattresses, coils of springs, hollows of bedposts, and in upholstery/furniture. They also hide behind pictures, behind baseboards, trim, and molding, under door and window casings, or in light fixtures. They come out at night and are attracted by warmth. Because they are difficult to find, you can detect them by spots of fecal matter or bloody spots on pillows and/or sheets. Here is a picture of Bed Bug fecal matter:
If you have a problem with Bed Bugs, all is not lost. There are safe and effective pest control products and techniques that will eliminate these creatures, and restore to you your peace of mind.
