Bed bugs
What do they look like?
Adult bed bugs are oval shaped,
flattened and about 6mm long. When unfed they are pale brown in
colour but become reddish brown to mahogany when full of blood.
Young bugs (nymphs) are nearly colourless, becoming brownish as
they mature.
The legs are well developed and they
can crawl up vertical surfaces of wood, paper and plaster. They are
unable to crawl up smooth polished surfaces.
Where do they live?
Bed bugs are usually found in the
seams of bed mattresses and other cracks and crevices in the bed
fixtures and frame. They are also found in areas such as in floor
cracks, under carpets, behind loose wallpaper, wall pictures, loose
skirting boards and door frames.
What do they eat?
Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood,
generally only in darkness. Although human blood is preferred, they
can survive on other blood from rabbits, rodents etc. Bed bugs can
survive extremes of starvation, and have been known to survive for
up to 12 months without feeding.
Are they a health risk?
Bed bugs are not thought to transmit
any serious diseases to humans. However, the bite can cause
considerable irritation and may result in loss of sleep and
lowering of general health.
How do I control them?
The routine washing of bedding and
clothing, followed by drying in a tumble dryer at normal
temperature, will kill any bedbugs and eggs present.
The standard treatment for infested
premises is the application of a specially formulated insecticide.
The insecticide is applied to cracks and crevices where bed bugs
may be living, including the seams of mattresses, bed frames,
flooring, skirting boards etc.
When using pesticides
always follow the instructions on the label.
Can we help?
Yes. We will spray an insecticide
that remains active for several weeks. There is no charge for this
service.
For further details please see
Pest
Control.
Last Updated on 6/25/2012