Bed bugs are tiny insects that can create a surprisingly big problem. These small, reddish-brown pests feed on blood and often hide in places where people sleep, making mattresses, furniture, and cracks in walls common hiding areas.
Although bed bugs are not known to spread diseases in most situations, their bites can cause itching, irritation, stress, and sleepless nights.
Understanding how bed bugs live and reproduce is the first step toward controlling them.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects scientifically known as Cimex lectularius.
Adult bed bugs are usually:
- About the size of an apple seed
- Flat and oval-shaped
- Brown to reddish-brown in color
- Active mainly at night
They survive by feeding on blood from humans and animals.
How Do Bed Bugs Live?
Bed bugs are excellent at hiding and can survive in many household environments.
They usually hide in:
- Mattress seams
- Bed frames
- Headboards
- Sofas and chairs
- Carpet edges
- Cracks in walls
- Behind wallpaper
- Electrical outlet covers
- Luggage and clothing
They come out mainly at night when people are sleeping because they are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide from breathing.
The Bed Bug Life Cycle
A bed bug goes through several stages:
