Bed Bugs Symptoms

Although bed bugs are often acquired while travelling as they are excellent at hitching a ride to a new home. There are other reasons why they are spreading across the continent, where they were previously eliminated.  Often, people are not even aware of the fact that, they have these little visitors living with them because they have not noticed any bed bug symptoms. Bed bugs get transported very easily nowadays. Due to the economic crisis, more people are re-using furniture, for example, if someone puts a piece of furniture outside to be removed to the dump and another person takes the item before it is picked up, then the bugs get transported. This practice should be avoided, unless the article can be verified that it does not harbor any bugs. If you place a piece of infested furniture outside, a note should be attached to it warning the other person about the infestation in order to reduce the likelihood of transmission. These bugs do not get transported from person to person by a handshake or sitting together, this only occurs in case of a large infestation. They are much more comfortable and adept at attaching themselves to luggage that is then transported from a hotel, motel or bed- and -breakfast, by international tourists and business travelers. This is why, when you travel, never put your bags on the bed, chair or sofa in your room. If there are bugs, they will cling to your bags and be taken with you to their new homes.
Another way they migrate is from dwelling to dwelling in a condo or apartment block after being imported by an occupant who traveled and brought them back. These bugs are social creatures and unlikely to have been alone when transported, so it will not take long for them to propagate and create a real problem for the unit occupant. It is sometimes difficult to find Bed bug symptoms because the bugs are small and flat and consequently can hide in very small spaces such as mattress seams, sofa and chair cushions, bed frames, baseboards and even wall hangings close to the bed. Although they prefer to be close to their food source, they can crawl up to about 20 feet if they are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide emitted from a potential host.
If you suspect the presence of the bed bugs, how can you be sure? Your first indication will be the bites and the itchiness, likely on the neck, arms and hands. The marks are round, usually in clusters or lines, red in color with a darker spot in the center. You may also see dark specks on the sheets. These are the feces from the bugs. Bloodstains would also indicate the presence of bed bugs, along with a sweet, musty odor caused by the chemicals of the bugs. Another bed bug symptom is the casings discarded by the nymphs as they grow out of their exoskeletons, no less than 5 times before reaching adulthood. However, the use of a flashlight might be required, as they are transparent and difficult to see. Of course, you might see he actual bug itself as it scurries back to its hiding place. They are flat, oval, brown creatures about 3 /16 inches long. The important thing to remember is to call a qualified exterminator immediately to get rid of the pests, before they multiply.

There are two main causes for the recent bed bug infestations that have reached epidemic proportions in North America. Previously, during the 1940’s and 1950’s, DDT was used widely throughout the continent. This product eradicated the bugs, but caused other problems for the populations of humans, animals and plants. The bugs however, survived in other parts of the world. Now, because of increased international travel, these hitchhikers have made a come-back in North America and other places where they had disappeared from.  They are excellently hide in the luggage and are then taken around the world. The second reason for the increase in their populations is that the exterminators are not familiar with the bed bugs symptoms and the appropriate measures are not taken, often the incorrect product is used.  Gel-based insecticides are commonly used and these are ineffective against the bugs. The aerosol sprays have a decidedly better impact on the bedbug colonies. In addition, the population in general is not accustomed to having the bugs, since they were destroyed many years ago. Due to this, people fail to take immediate measures to get rid of the homes of the pests simply because they are unaware of being infested. This is why one has to be aware and vigilant against these creatures. Knowing the bed bug symptoms will ensure that you do not contribute to the epidemic now going on.

The first thing to be aware of is that a bed bug infestation is not due to dirty conditions. These insects are adept at traveling, hiding and feeding everywhere. Humans sometime do not realize that they were bitten by a bed bug and consequently, do not investigate further until it is too late and the numbers have grown larger. The bugs are miniscule and so are their eggs. In addition to that, they feed mostly at night, so are not easily noticed. It is important to be aware of this possibility, especially if you awake feeling itchy. Take note of the type of bite marks. If there are red circular marks, with a darker red spot in the center, and are in a cluster or a small line, then you can be fairly certain that it was caused by a bed bug. Usually, there is no more skin reaction than itchiness and perhaps a small welt on the surface. Bed bugs are not known for transmitting any diseases, whereas mosquitoes are. There are some reports of allergic reactions, but they are rare. Of course, seek medical advice if there is a sever reaction. Otherwise it is time to take note of several other bed bug symptoms that will become apparent. Dark spots on the bed, especially noticeable on light colored sheets, will indicate the fecal excretions of the bugs. Small blood stains will indicate a bug that was crushed by the host’s movement.  With a flashlight, the transparent casings and eggs can be seen. The casings result from the nymphs molting 5 times during their growth from egg hatchling to adult.  The eggs are usually laid in tiny crevices. Another indication of an infestation is the sweet sticky smell that is produced by the bugs. It is important for everyone to be aware of bed bugs symptoms, in order to take steps to rectify the situation before it gets out of hand.

Bedbug, or Cimex lectularis, has been around since ages. It is one of those insects that have been able to adapt to all types of climates with the passage of time. It is attracted to warm climate and the carbon dioxide that is eliminated by the respiratory system, attacks mostly humans, poultry and bats in various areas of the world. Its only food source is blood. However, it can exist for as long as 18 months with out feeding and this is partly the reason why the world is now experiencing a bed bug epidemic. More and more people are witnessing bed bug symptoms.

The life cycle of a bed bug begins when the female lays the egg. She can lay five eggs per day, resulting in about 500 in one lifetime. The eggs are tiny, about 1 /16 inches and almost invisible to the eye, as they have milky white color. The females lay their eggs in hard to reach places such as crevices of furniture or bed frames, and attach them by secreting a sticky substance. After 10 days, the nymphs hatch and go through 5 stages of molting, until they reach maturity. This molting will leave the casings, because these bed bug symptoms are transparent, they are difficult to be spotted without the help of a flashlight. If they survive till maturity, they are easier to notice as they grow up a brownish color. They are flat, oval and wingless and seem to have bands. Although they can move quickly, they measure about 3/16 inch, so only an observant person can notice them. They feed mostly at night, but if there is an opportunity, they will surely enjoy a feast even during the daytime. The results of the bugs feeding are often the first bed bug symptoms that are noticed. On waking up, the victim may feel itchy and notice bites that are red in color, with a darker red spot in the center. The bites are often in either a circular or linear pattern. When the bugs bite, the skin is pierced by two hollow tubes. One of the tubes injects saliva in to the host. This saliva contains an anesthetic to numb any feeling and an anti-coagulant to prevent the blood from clotting. The other tube sucks up the blood. Their survival ability is partly due to being able to feed without waking up the host. Although many people are disgusted to know that they were bitten by a bed bug, the insect itself will not transmit any diseases.

If you suspect the presence of bed bugs, you should start watching for other bed bug symptoms of an invasion. If the bugs were disturbed while feeding, there could be blood spots on the mattress. Another indication is tiny dark spots on the mattress. These are due to the fecal excretions of the bugs. It is important to realize that the infestation was not caused by a lack of cleanliness, but by the availability of a warm and living host. The next step to be taken is the elimination of the bugs and being aware of the possible origin of the problem in order to avoid another occurrence.

The increase among the recent years of international travel has helped bed bugs spread around the globe. This phenomenon is at epidemic proportions all over the world. Large fancy hotels can just as easily harbor these uninvited guests as can a small local motel in a village, because they were not a major problem previously; we hesitate to admit that there is an infestation, until the population is out of control. Another reason we do not take immediate action to eradicate them is because the bites can be mistaken as mosquito bites or dust-mite bites.

So, what are the most significant bed bug symptoms to watch out for? The most obvious are the red spots and rashes that appear on the skin. If the victim is a heavy sleeper, they might not have realized the bugs biting during the night time. The bites are usually round, red marks having a dark spot in the middle.  Although they are mainly located on the hands, arms face and neck, they can be found in any spot on the body.  They itch, and consequently, are uncomfortable. The bites are often in groups of threes, and in a line or a small cluster. This is because the bugs have two tubes, they use to feed with. One is used to suck the blood from the victims, and with the other, the chemicals are injected from their saliva to numb any pain and to prevent the blood from clotting. Since the victims don’t feel anything while bitten, they remain asleep, and hence the bugs can feed, undisturbed. Although bed bug symptoms are unpleasant, the bugs are not capable of transmitting the diseases like the mosquitoes. Some people could have more severe allergic reactions, in that case, visit a doctor.

Apart from the physical bed bug symptoms, there are additional signs of these unwanted visitors. By checking your mattress carefully, you can find indications of an infestation. Brown spots on your mattress can be the fecal matter excreted by the bugs. There could be actual spots of blood, especially if they were disturbed or crushed by movements of the prey. Sometimes you can notice the skin casing that is shed by the bugs as they grow. However, these are not easily spotted and may require a strong flashlight. Eggs, although tiny, can be seen. Again, a flashlight will give better results. The actual bugs are more difficult to see, since they are tiny and swift. If you observe closely, they are small, oval-shaped bugs.  A comparatively less-known symptom of an infestation is the sweet and musty odor that is produced by a chemical discharge from the bugs. If the room or the house has this sweet scent, beware! As it might be an indication of the presence of bedbugs.  Many people think that bed bugs occur due to filthy living conditions. This, however, is not true.  The bugs are attracted by the carbon dioxide that is exhaled by living creatures, not by dirt. They feed on blood, and can be found just as easily in clean homes as in buildings full of dirt.