Where Do Bed Bugs Really Come From?
WouterWhen bed bugs invade your home, you might not know where they came from. You might have encountered them while staying in a hotel or theater, or while carrying luggage. These insects are small, oval, and flat and are often misidentified with other household pests, such as fleas. They have compound eyes and antennae that are well-developed. They also have a pronotum, or area behind the head, covered with countless, tiny hairs. These creatures reproduce very quickly. They can have as many as four successive generations a year.
Bedbugs commonly live in mattresses and upholstered furniture. If you’re concerned that your furniture might be infested, inspect it thoroughly, checking underneath for cracks and crevices. Likewise, if you’re buying second-hand furniture, check it out thoroughly. Never leave a used item on the curb if you suspect it might be inhabited with bedbugs. You should also check your wardrobes and closets to eliminate clutter and other areas where these pests thrive.
Although most bedbug bites appear in clusters, they don’t look painful and will not itch. In fact, they can be so small that they can be mistaken for mosquito bites. In addition to these obvious signs, you can look for fecal stains, shed skins, and egg cases.
