Where Do Bed Bugs Originate From?
WouterIf you are concerned about bedbug infestations, you need to know the life cycle of bedbugs. Adult females lay eggs in secluded areas, depositing one or more eggs per day. During a lifetime, bedbugs can lay hundreds of eggs. The eggs are pale white, about the size of an apple seed, and are sticky. The eggs hatch in about a week at room temperature. The newly emerged bedbug nymphs are smaller than a pinhead and shed skin five times before reaching maturity. This cycle of life can produce two or three generations of bedbugs a year.
Bedbugs can travel a great distance, latching onto clothing, linens, and suitcases. This makes them difficult to detect, but there are several ways to identify them. Excluding the source of infestations can help prevent their spread to new areas. Aside from avoiding certain areas, you should also avoid using bedbugs’ eggs, larvae, and pupae as bedding.
Bedbugs are active primarily at night. They are most active at night and prefer hiding near a human’s bed, where they can feed. If you notice the presence of bedbugs in a room, you should immediately remove anything from that area. You should also inspect dressers inside and out. Look for cracks, crevices, and corners. Other places they might hide include wall-to-wall carpeting, cracks in wood molding, loose wallpaper, and clothing and clutter in closets.
The number one source of bedbug infestations is travel. People who travel frequently are often exposed to bedbugs, and it is likely that they will bring them home with them on their clothing and luggage. They may also be found on public transportation, and even in movie theaters.
