Do Bed Bugs Have Antennae?
WouterWhen it comes to insect life, bed bugs don’t have wings, they have two antennae on either side of their heads. You can identify them by looking for creases or horizontal lines on their large abdomens. These are the only visible parts of bed bugs. The wings are small and only seen in adult bugs. Baby bed bugs don’t have wings.
Bed bugs are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that feed on blood. They use multiple cues to find their hosts, including heat. However, it is not known how well this feature works when the bugs are feeding. Nonetheless, it is clear that heat detection is limited to approximately three centimeters.
In addition to humans, bed bugs also feed on dogs and cats. Their bites are painless at the time of attack. However, once the bites have developed, most people have an allergic reaction to the saliva transmitted by bed bugs. The resulting rash is red, itchy, and swollen. Bedbug bites usually occur in clusters.
According to the National Pest Management Association, bed bugs can be found virtually anywhere, including cars, buses, hotels, and hospitals. Most commonly, they reside on headboards that hang from the walls.
