Bedbug Elimination, Bedbugs, Bed Bugs, Biting Bugs, Cimcidae
Description
Adult bedbugs are approximately 3/16-inch long, oval,
flat and rusty red or mahogany colored. Bedbugs are flat and thin
when unfed, but become more elongate, plump and red in color when
they are full of blood. They have four-segmented antennae that are
attached to the head between the prominent compound eyes. The
two-segmented beak is located beneath the head passing back between
the front legs. Bedbugs cannot fly.
Biology
Bedbugs tend to live in clusters and hide in cracks and
crevices which are nesting areas during the day, preferring wood or
paper surfaces to those of stone or plaster. Bedbugs feed
exclusively at night. They will crawl under the moldings living
between the carpet and the wood. They will also get into electrical
outlets, under switch plate covers and behind paneling and
wallpaper. Bedbugs leave these harborage areas at night to feed on
their hosts, which include man, birds, hogs and the family pets.
Over time the harborage areas become filled with the molted skins,
feces and old egg shells of the resident bedbugs. These areas have a
characteristic smell caused by a secretion that the bedbugs emit.
Female bedbugs lay about 200 to 500 eggs in
their lifetime. They glue their eggs in the cracks and crevices in the
harborage areas. Under ideal conditions, eggs hatch in about seven days and
the nymphs molt five times, taking a blood meal between each molt. It takes
about 50 days for them to become adults.
Some individuals react to the bite of the bedbug while others are unaware of its feeding activity. The bite area may become inflamed and itch severely in sensitive people.
Bedbug Control
The first step to control is to know where bedbug
harborages are located. These areas include but are not limited to:
- Tufts, seams/buttons on mattresses
- Cracks in hardwood flooring
- Under carpet along walls
- Wall voids behind switch plates/outlets
- Window/door molding
- Behind wallpaper and pictures
- Box springs
- Bed frames and covers
- Couches and chairs
- Luggage
Non-Chemical Control
- A good vacuum can be used to quickly remove exposed insects.
- Steam applications can be used to treat mattresses.
- Glue traps can be used as a monitoring device: however, they are
not effective for elimination.
Bedbugs can be controlled with thorough applications of residual
insecticides applied to cracks and crevices, behind baseboards and
into other known or suspected harborage areas. Don't forget to look
high while inspecting. Inspect and treat accordingly if the room has
crown molding. Bedbugs will nest at any level. Inspect anything
which is mounted on the wall. Inspect all furniture in the room.
This includes dressers and night tables. Treat all harborage areas
with Drione Dust
which is an excellent pyrethrin and silica gel dust
that is odorless, kills quickly and labeled for bedbug control. Use
a Crusader Hand Duster
to apply the dust. It is an excellent duster
that can be held at any angle and operated with one hand. Suspend SC
or Claire Lice/Bedbug
Killer can be applied to furniture, mattresses
and box springs, especially the tufts, folds, edges and interior of
the bed frame until moist. ALLOW TO DRY BEFORE REMAKING THE BED.
The Suspend SC is a liquid
concentrate that is mixed with water and
applied with a pump-up
type sprayer
like our Chapin. The
Claire
Lice/Bedbug Killer is an aerosol. Sanitation is helpful in bedbug
control because it helps the homeowner become aware of some of the
harborage areas of the bedbugs.
Gentrol Aerosol or Gentrol IGR Concentrate is also highly recommended for control of bedbugs because it disrupts the normal development. Bedbugs exposed to Gentrol will become adults incapable of reproducing. Apply to harborage areas mentioned above except linens and mattresses.
Try our money saving kits!
Bed Bug Kit #1
One pint of Suspend SC
One pound of Drione Dust
Two 13 oz. cans of Claire Lice Killer Aerosol
One Hand Duster
One Chapin pump-up sprayer
Bed Bug Kit #2
One pint of Suspend SC
One pound of Drione Dust
One Hand Duster
One 13 oz. can of Claire Lice Killer Aerosol
1-800-226-8370
e-Bug Products - Do It Yourself Pest Control
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