Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs and their relatives have evolved as nest parasites. Hatchling bed bugs are the size of poppy seed, and adults are about ¼ of an inch in length. From above, they are oval in shape, but are flattened from top to bottom. A pest control treatment is the only way to get rid of an infestation. It usually takes 2-4 treatments and if left untreated can pose as a health risk.
According to the National Pest Management Association’s 2011 Bed Bug’s in America Survey, 1 out of every 5 American’s has either had a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone who has encountered them. It’s no surprise that bed bug infestations have become a nation-wide epidemic; most American’s are aware that infestations are on the rise. There are reports of bed bugs by pest management professionals in all 50 states; the percentages being fairly equal among each of the country’s regions.
As bed bug awareness increases, more than 80% of American’s have reported being most concerned about encountering them in hotels. 95% of infestations reports are from apartments/condominiums, 93% in single-family homes, and 75% in hotels/motels. It is not uncommon to find bed bugs in shared spaces such as college dorms, nursing homes, offices, daycare centers, hospitals, etc. For more information on bed bugs, click here.