The Feeding Habits of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small parasites if the insect family which are commonly classified as Climex Lectularius. This animal classification refers to the type of species which feeds off the blood from warm animals such as human blood. Matured bedbugs are oval in shape, wingless, flattened and are reddish brown in colour. Adult bedbugs will grow to about 4 – 5mm in length and 1.5 – 3mm wide.

Before reaching the maturity stage, the newly hatched nymphs have a light colour which is almost translucent so as to enable communication with each other in regards to attacks, reproduction and nesting locations, they will secrete kairomones and phenomes. Their lifespan varies depending on their nesting climates and eating habits. Bedbugs can survive a wide range of atmospheric conditions and temperatures. Adult bedbugs can survive longer when they enter semi-hibernation which is usually around 16.1 C. at -10C, they can survive at approximately 5 days. However, once exposed to -32C, they will be dead before 15 minutes ends.

The genus climes lectularius can survive up to 45C, and all other stages of life are killed within 7 minutes of exposure to 46C. However, bedbugs are attracted by carbon dioxide and high concentrations of it for a longer period of time can kill them. Exposure to pure nitrogen has a little effect on them even after three days. Bedbugs are hematophagous or non-blocking parasites which normally feed upon human blood unless there is any other supply available, bed bug are attracted to carbon dioxide and warmth among other chemicals from their hosts’.

Bedbugs pierce the skin of their hosts and feed through the hollow tubes. These tubes will inject anesthetics and anticoagulants which will form their saliva while other tube draws blood. They will then return to their original place of hiding after around five minutes. Bedbugs can live up to one year without food. The easiest and effective way to kill bedbugs is by using proper treatment options which actually work.

If you are experiencing bed bug problems give a bed bug exterminator Hamilton a call: 905-581-9987