Bed bugs infest homes and commercial properties all across South Florida. Although the word “bed” is in the name, these insects can be found in more areas than just your mattress. Bed bugs, more commonly known as hitchhiking pests, are nomads by nature. These parasitic insects come from all parts of the world, but they are provoked by certain types of habitats.
Before diving into where these pests come from, it would be helpful to know what exactly a bed bug is. A bed bug is an insect typically characterized as a cimex lectularius or a cimex himpterus. They feed on warm, human blood. Bed bugs primarily focus on staying close to their host.
How large is a bed bug? Bed bugs range from 0.09 inches to 0.18 inches in size, which allows them to nestle into tiny spaces. A bed bug will usually remain dormant during the day and prey on its host at night while activity is minimal. Once a bed bug feeds from its host, it will continue to reside in that same feeding space until the host is indefinitely removed.
Where do bed bugs come from? A bed bug infestation can manifest itself in locations where different types of individuals filter in and filter out. Some of these locations include hotel rooms, motel rooms, hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, and care centers. More specifically, bed bugs will seek refuge in the mattresses, box springs, folded bedding, or luggage stored in any of these locations. They can also tuck themselves away behind baseboards, wallpaper, or frames.
What are the symptoms of a bed bug infestation? Typically, bed bugs are identified by small red bites along an individual’s forearms and legs. These insects tend to feed at night, causing bites to be visible during morning hours. Bed bugs also shed skin as colonies grow. Colony members will shed skin during their life cycles. Finally, bed bugs can be uncovered due to brown spots found on bedding or mattresses. These brown spots signal feeding has taken place.
No matter where your infestation originated from, bed bugs can be removed from your South Florida home with professional pest control. For more details on bed bugs and how to rid your home of an infestation,contact our team of experts at Manning Pest Control.
