The bed bug is found worldwide and throughout Britain. It is a
nocturnal parasite that feeds on mammalian blood, principally human
but also cat and dog.
They hide by day in crevices in beds, furniture, wallpaper,
skirting boards and emerge when hungry, usually every few days to
feed.
The adult is about 6mm long and has flattened, oval, reddish
brown bodies which fattens and darkens after feeding.
Biology
Mating takes place away from the host and small clusters of eggs
are attached to the structure. A temperature of between 10-13c is
required for the eggs to hatch. The newly hatched nymphs resemble
the adult in miniature and develop to maturity through a series of
moults.
This can take between a few weeks to several months depending on
temperature and food supplies.
All stages feed on mammalian blood, emerging at night, to search
for prey. Feeding usually takes about 10 minutes and they can
ingest up to 7 times their body weight at any one feed but can go
prolonged periods without feeding.
Importance
Bites may cause severe allergic reaction but not known as a
carrier of disease. Infestations are often, but certainly not
exclusively, associated with poorer housing where insects may be
transferred on second hand furniture and bedding. Also associated
with boarding houses, hotels and hostels.
Treatment
To ensure effective treatment it is essential to find and treat
the harbourages. Adult bugs and nymphs may be located by searching
likely hiding places and by using a flushing aerosol. Smears or
spots of excrement may be seen close to points of harbourage as
fully fed bugs remove excess water before returning to their narrow
crevices. Eggs and egg cases may also be visible in places of
harbourage.
The structure of infested rooms should be thoroughly sprayed
with a broad spectrum residual insecticide, paying particular
attention to bed frames, skirting boards, wall switches, picture
frames etc. and any other obvious cracks or crevices likely to
shelter adult or nymphal bugs.
If possible bedding materials including mattress should be
disposed of, or heat sterilised.
Wherever possible all likely harbourages should be sealed after
treatment with a residual crack and crevice insecticide. If problem
persists then a further survey, possibly at night using a pyrethrin
aerosol, may highlight harbourages previously missed.
The Council do undertake a free treatment service for bed
bugs.