Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies. Adults about the size of an apple seed, babies about the size of a grain of sand, they are big enough to be easily seen, but often hide in cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. Bedbugs molt 5-6 times. When bed bugs feed, their bodies swell and become brighter red. When a host is not present they can live up to seven months without feeding. Females can lay 3-4 eggs per day. They feed usually at night; feeding takes about 10-15 minutes for adults and is repeated about every three to seven days.

Most bed bug bites are initially painless, but can later turn into large, itchy skin welts. These welts do not have a red spot in the center like fleabites. Bedbugs bite the host most commonly around the waist while in bed, sleeping. However, bites may occur on exposed skin such as arms, neck and legs.

Yes. Dogs, cats, and other animals can serve as hosts for bedbugs.

Although bed bugs are a nuisance, they are not known to spread disease.

In most cases, people carry bed bugs into their homes unknowingly, in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, or clothing. Bed bugs may also travel between apartments through small crevices and cracks in walls and floors. A guest may bring them or you may pick them up while you are a guest elsewhere.

You may notice itchy skin welts. (NOTE: Some individuals will not experience skin irritation.) You may also see the bed bugs themselves, small bloodstains from crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to see them because they hide in or near beds, other furniture, and in cracks.

Batbugs (a bat bedbug) looks very similar to a bedbug but has distinctly longer hairs around the head and body. Batbugs prefer bats, but if the host animals are removed and the batbugs are left behind, they will seek out a human host. If you live in or visit a building with a bat infestation or recently corrected bat problem, this could be a possible source of bites.

(NOTE: Do not attempt to use over-the-counter pesticides because many of those products will scatter the insects and make eradication more difficult.).

One final point: though these treatments should be effective, it may take some time for them to work. Unfortunately, the only way to know if the problem has been resolved is to try sleeping in the treated area once again.

Removing clutter and proper preparation will save time and cost. Throwing out beds or furniture is usually unnecessary.