Bed Bugs

Appearance:

Color: Unfed adults are mahogany to rusty brown; engorged bed bug is red-brown after blood meal. Nymphs (baby bed bugs) are nearly colorless when they first hatch and become brownish as they mature.
Legs: 6 legs
Shape: Unfed bed bugs are flat; broad oval; fed bed bugs become swollen and more elongated Size: Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long. Nymphs range from 1.3 mm to 4-5 mm.
Region: Found throughout the U.S.

Habits: Bed bugs primarily dine on humans, but will feed on other warm-blooded hosts. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but their bites can become red, itchy welts.

Location:

Bed bugs can hide behind:
Baseboards and in cracks, crevices, and folded areas of beds, bedding and adjacent furniture, especially mattresses and box springs;
Electrical switch plates, picture frames, wallpaper and nearly anywhere inside a home, car, bus, or other shelter.
Small cracks and crevices close to a human environment.
Wallpaper, upholstery, and in furniture crevices.
Backpacks, suitcases, boxes, shoes and under the seats in cars, busses and trains.

Feeding Habits: Bed bugs usually come out at night for a blood meal, though they can feed during day. Bed bugs usually require 5-10 minutes to engorge with blood. After feeding, they move to secluded places and hide for 5-10 days. During this time, they do not feed but instead digest their meal, mate, and lay eggs.