Why Are Bed Bugs Called Bed Bugs?

Bedbugs are insects that live and feed on people and animals. They prefer to feed during the night and hide in dark areas during the day. They can easily be hidden in seams and folds of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and wallpaper. They are also able to easily spread to different parts of a home once they find a food source.

Bedbugs are attracted to the warmth, moisture, and carbon dioxide produced by warm-blooded animals. They feed on the skin during the night by biting the exposed areas. Their bites are similar to mosquito bites, so they are easy to mistake for mosquitoes. Fortunately, bedbug bites are usually not painful. However, they can be quite itchy, so you may want to use antihistamines to help with the itching.

In addition to infesting the host, bedbugs can also infest upholstered furniture, which include bed frames, upholstered headboards, and bedroom cabinets. Additionally, bedbugs can hide in carpets, wall hangings, and baseboards. The best way to prevent an infestation is to keep the room as clutter-free as possible.

Adult bed bugs have flattened bodies and are about one fifth of an inch in length. They also have well-developed antennae and small compound eyes. The pronotum, or area behind the head, is covered with numerous small hairs. Bedbugs don’t fly like fleas, but they can crawl rapidly over surfaces.