Bed Bug ID
Identification
Bed Bugs are parasites on man. As their name implies they are usually associated with man's sleeping quarters. Their source of food is human blood. These insects are flat, oval, reddish brown in color, approximately 1/4 inch in length at maturity and are nocturnal in their feeding habits.
Life Cycle
Bedbugs are insects which go through a gradual metamorphosis consisting of the egg stage, nymph stage and finally the adult stage.
A fertile adult female will lay up to two hundred eggs per day. In order to lay eggs the adult female must have a blood meal. The eggs are laid in protected places such as cracks and crevices, behind pictures on the walls, on the bed frame and mattresses, under loose wallpaper, etc. They will generally be found anywhere bed bugs are present. These eggs are glued to their surface with a gluey-like substance and will generally take 1 to 2 weeks to hatch.
Once the egg hatches the first instar nymph will be almost colorless upon emerging. At this point in development it is very small and hard to detect. The nymph will seek a host for it's first blood meal. This first meal will generally take from three to ten minutes. When completed the nymph will go into hiding for six to ten days where it molts and then returns for another blood meal. The nymph will go through five instars and must take a blood meal before each molt. As the nymph develops it progressively resembles the adult in appearance. The nymph stage varies in the length of time it takes develop into an adult.
Upon it's final molt the bedbug will be capable of reproduction. They will seek a mate. Bedbugs feed during their adult life and must have a blood meal before egg production. Their mouth parts are of the piercing sucking style and while feeding an anti-coagulant is released by this insect to enable the blood to flow freely. It's this anti-coagulant which causes irritation and itching. Some people are much more sensitive than others. A small round hardened bump with a red spot in the middle is characteristic of the bite. While feeding this parasite will leave blood excretions. Blood spots will appear on the bedding material as a result. Bedbugs leave a musty odor which can be very offensive.
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