Bed Bug

Category:

Actual Size: Less than 6 mm

Characteristics: Flat and oval-shaped. Brown to red-brown in color.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: No

Habitat: Near sleeping areas such as bedrooms and hotels. Generally spreads from person to person during travel or through public spaces.

Habits: 

  • Bites are painless and often go undetected.
  • Feeds exclusively on the blood of humans, though they will also feed on birds or other animals.
  • Known for emitting a musty, sweet odor when threatened.


Bed Bugs in North Jersey

Bed bugs are every home or business owner’s nightmare – and for good reason. As nocturnal insects that feed exclusively on blood, they’re a creepy and potentially dangerous pest that spread like wildfire. Though humans serve as their primary source, bed bugs also feed on birds and other mammals. They often hide in cracks and crevices near our beds, waiting until we’re asleep before coming out to feed. Since their bite is essentially painless, many people don’t notice that they’ve been bitten until they discover the marks in the morning.

Bed Bug Habitat

Bed bugs are a common problem throughout the United States, including here in North Jersey. They often travel from person to person through luggage, overnight bags, bedding, and clothing. Most people encounter bed bugs after traveling to an infested hotel, apartment building, school, or other public area. Since these pests are tiny and tend to hide in small cracks or crevices, it can be incredibly difficult to spot bed bugs before the infestation is fully established. That’s why it’s crucial to take preventative measures, such as using hard-backed luggage or sealing your clothes in airtight bags while traveling.

Bed Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but they can lead to infections around the bite area or allergic reactions in some individuals. Even if they aren’t considered harmful, though, waking up covered in bites is the last thing you should have to deal with. Though bite marks are often the first sign of an infestation, you may also notice small red or brown dots on your bed or around your headboard. Severe infestations can also result in a rusty or musty odor.

Because bed bugs are so persistent and difficult to get rid of, you should contact a professional bed bug pest control technician as soon as you notice any signs of an infestation. The sooner we can treat your home, the less likely they are to spread from room to room – or from you to somebody else.