How Long Can You Go Without Knowing You Have Bed Bugs?
WouterBed bugs are not very visible and can go several days without being noticed. Bedbugs feed on human blood, but they can also feed on mice and other animals. They will feed every five minutes or so, and travel about five to twenty feet from their harborage. Bedbugs feed at night, so they are most active at night. Their life cycle is between five and ten days, and each time they feed, they will pierce the skin and draw blood.
Bedbug bites are very painful, and they often look like flea or mosquito bites. While some people have no reaction at all, others develop large, itchy welts that take weeks to heal. Unlike mosquito bites, bedbug bites do not come in clusters of three; they can appear in singles or in clusters. While welts do not show up immediately, they can show up hours or days later, so if you find them early, you can eliminate the problem before it gets too bad.
Bedbugs are very small, about the size of a pinhead. Adult bedbugs are brown or reddish-brown, and have oval or elongated bodies. The young bedbugs are not visible to the naked eye, and are translucent or whitish-yellow. Despite their small size, they can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime. Bedbugs can be difficult to get rid of, so it is best to inspect the area regularly.
