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Bed Bug

Category

Actual Size: Less than 6 mm

Characteristics: Oval, flat, and mahogany brown to red-brown.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: No

Habitat: These critters can be found anywhere humans stay for long periods of time such as homes, apartments, hotels, hostels, hospitals, schools, corporate buildings, malls, cinemas, and even public transit systems.

Habits: 

  • Primarily nocturnal, hiding in tight spaces near their food source during the day
  • Feed exclusively on blood, with humans being their main food source.
  • Bites are painless and often go undetected, but can be itchy or cause an allergic reaction
  • When agitated, they emit a sweet, musty smell from their scent glands.


Bed Bug

Bed Bugs in Atlanta, GA

Present in all 50 states, bed bugs are night-dwelling creatures that solely rely on blood for sustenance. While humans are their main target, they also feed on birds and mammals. These insects are adept at concealment, nesting in secluded cracks and crevices to avoid disturbance. Usually feeding during the night while their hosts sleep, bed bugs can survive over a year without a blood meal. Their bites are nearly painless, often going unnoticed during feeding sessions.

Bed Bug Habitat

Bed bugs thrive in colonies, settling in spots where people spend prolonged periods resting, and reproduce rapidly. They often hitch rides unnoticed during travel, hiding in seams of luggage, bedding, and furniture. Their habitats span homes, hotels, apartments, schools, and public spaces, favoring cracks in headboards, mattresses, and upholstery for concealment.

Bed Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Bed bugs, while not disease carriers and generally not hazardous, can prompt allergic reactions requiring medical attention after multiple bites. Initial signs of an infestation might include skin bites or small brownish marks on bedding. These bugs hitchhike through used furniture, belongings in transit, or shared pipes between adjacent spaces. Bites may go unnoticed initially, but victims might develop raised, straight-line welts on their skin. A small outbreak can quickly spiral into a large infestation, so if you suspect the presence of bed bugs, contact a professional exterminator immediately.