Call our experts

to schedule an inspection today

865-232-5800

Follow us on Facebook

Bed Bugs

About Bed Bugs

Bedbugs scientifically known as Cimicidae are small tiny parasitic reddish-brown insects that feed on warm blooded humans and animals. They are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide that humans and other animals produce. They range from 1 to 7 millimeters in length and about 3 millimeters wide. The adult female body is oblong  and the male body is roundish. They’re about the size of an apple seed.

The eggs and the nymphs appear yellowish to off-white in color which makes it very difficult to see on light color sheets and carpet. The eggs are about 1 millimeter long with a curved shape. They hatch in 6 to 12 days and become a nymph. Nymphs start feeding right away. They can survive up to three months without feeding. After its first meal, they turn reddish brown in color. It takes 48 hours for a nymph to develop into an adult.

Bed bugs are active at night and feed on their hosts unnoticed. They feed on blood about every five to ten days, but they can live up to a year without feeding.

Bedbugs like to hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, bed frames, box springs, bed frames and headboards. They are found in sheets, comforters, mattresses, pillows, futons, wooden furniture, couches, and anywhere that humans sleep. They can be found under the loose cracks of wallpaper, behind baseboards, behind wall plates and power outlets.

The indications of infestation include the presence of clustered dark spots, blood smears, and fecal deposits on the bed covers or sheets. This is usually the blood from the bugs that are crushed and killed from scratching at them or rolling over on them while sleeping. The most common indication of infestation is getting several bites while sleeping. Any exposed body parts are highly vulnerable to bites. (shoulders-neck-face-hands-arms-legs)

Bites can be found anywhere on the body. It can be hard to identify a bed bug bite. They resemble mosquito bites. The bites may be itchy, in red clusters.

The bites may be light red on the outside appearing darker red towards the center of the bite. Bed bug victims may have allergic reactions. If so a rash or hives may appear. Some bed bug bite victims may show no allergic reactions. Seek medical attention if you become a bed bug victim.

The risk of encountering bedbugs increases in hotels, cabins, senior retirement communities and nursing homes are just to name a few places bed bugs like to congregate due to the high human traffic flow. Bed Bugs are hitchhikers and travel from one location to another hitching a ride on luggage, clothing, bedding or furniture. Bed bugs don’t fly or jump, they crawl. It doesn’t matter if the environment is clean or dirty. This makes hotels and apartments especially vulnerable to bed bugs. Cleanliness doesn’t matter!

Bed Bug Mattress Infestation

Bed Bug Mattress Infestation

Bed Bug Bitting

Hatching Bed Bug Eggs and  Baby Bed Bugs (Nymphs)