Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite!

Have you ever wondered what bed bugs actually are? Bed bugs are parasitic insects which are small and feast on humans or other warm blooded animals. Sounds spooky; but it is true! They got their funny name from the fact that their habitat is most commonly beds. They are known by other names like- wall louse, mahogany flat, heavy dragoon, etc.

They are active mainly during the nights, though they are not nocturnal. When the bed bugs bite, small white or red hard welts develop at the bite site and these bites itch intensively. They have a pronounced odor which is described as obnoxious sweetness. To maintain communication regarding nesting locations, attacks and reproduction, they make use of pheromones and kairomones.

Bed bugs are not constrained to the beds; you also find them in couches, chairs, behind wallpapers, under the carpets, movie theatres, buses, etc. They get into the house accompanying luggage, furniture clothing, pillows, etc. They are wingless insects which don’t fly.

They measure approximately 1/5 inch in length and 1/8 inch in width. They are oval and flattened in shape and are in reddish-brown color. They have a banded appearance because of their microscopic hair. They have pierce-sucking mouth parts which are on their head helping them to feast on the hosts. There are many ways in which the bed bugs can be controlled and eliminated. So sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.

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