The bed bug: physical characteristics:

In France, the term "bugs" refers to more than 30,000 species grouped into 41 families, whether terrestrial or aquatic. Adult bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects with an oval, flattened body. They are wingless and have microscopic hairs that give them a striped appearance.

Adult bed bugs measure 5 to 8 mm in length and do not move quickly enough to escape the view of an attentive observer. Nymphs are translucent and lighter in color. As they become adults, they get darker and more opaque. In adulthood, they have the physical appearance of lentils or apple seeds.

Bed bug: habitat and lifestyle:

While most bugs feed on plant sap using their piercing-sucking mouthparts, bed bugs are "hematophagous," meaning they feed on the blood of all animals, including humans. They can ingest up to 7 times their body weight in blood. They can go several months without eating, which increases their resilience.

The bed bug most common in France and worldwide (Cimex lectularius) is the species best adapted to human environments. It is found in temperate climates across the globe and has been known since ancient times. Infestations occur when moving furniture, books, bedding, etc. Their ability to survive for several months without eating increases their chances of survival and their ability to migrate, even though they are not flying insects. In temperate countries, the peak of infestation occurs in autumn, as the species overwinters in its adult form. In hot climates, the infestation peak appears in the spring.
This explains their omnipresence: once satiated with blood, the female returns to a shelter to digest, mate, and lay eggs. Egg-laying characteristics are extremely linked to external and nutritional conditions. A female can lay approximately 150 to 350 eggs per day throughout her life. She does not, however, lay eggs at temperatures below 10°C.

How does a bed bug infestation occur?

Bed bugs are very healthy nomads that move around very regularly and can travel very far. Indeed, it is very easy for a bed bug to get from one room to another or from one house to another. The bed bug is a scourge that hotels in particular have to face; sometimes bed bugs infiltrate the luggage of occupants and invade the hotel room. They are generally found in bedrooms in mattresses, but if they cannot find food, they can be found in different places and rooms of the house: on baseboards, hidden in walls, on curtains... You must also remain very vigilant because they can also hide on clothing. But most of the time they are located in mattresses because that is where the bed bug lays all its eggs. To learn more, we invite you to read our article on how to get rid of bed bugs.

Damage and health dangers due to the presence of bed bugs

Bugs, just like other arthropods, can harbor symbiotic bacteria that are harmful to your health and provide them with trace elements or vitamins they cannot synthesize, or which are involved in their digestion. For example, Mycobacteriaceae Rhodococcus has been observed in triatomine bugs that vector Chagas disease (and in another biting arthropod, the Ixodes ricinus tick). They play a role in the physiology of the blood meal. They are also vectors of diseases such as Chagas disease, where symptoms range from conjunctivitis to fever and other serious nervous and cardiac system disorders.

The bed bug in France is also known for its bites during the night when they are in mattresses. Bed bugs can bite several times during the same night. This insect is able to detect its victim simply by the heat that humans radiate. Although the bed bug bite is painless, bed bugs very often leave red marks on the skin of those they attack, sometimes causing itching where the bites are located. These bites can be extremely annoying and even hinder sleep because they live under your mattress! Bed bug bites are harmful to your health and are generally found on parts of the body exposed during sleep, namely: arms, legs, and back.

The time it takes for bed bug bites to disappear is highly variable. Indeed, in some people, they may disappear after a few hours or a few days without any real treatment on the skin. Sometimes, people attacked by bed bugs will only realize it several weeks after being bitten. Finally, for allergic people, this usually results in rather large red bumps on the skin, which are painful and should absolutely not be touched and/or scratched to avoid the risk of infection. If the infection is more severe, it is essential to consult a doctor so that they can treat the allergy. There are many treatments capable of curing you from these attacks.

You will also need to contact a professional like Antiinsecte.com to get rid of the eggs present on your mattress. Several tools are available for this, some of which work with steam. Indeed, you can also find on our site our guide to help you get rid of bed bugs naturally. If you also live in a home of approximately 50m2, we also offer a very simple guide to help you in treating for bed bugs at home with the flea/bed bug pack.

Do bed bugs or bed fleas cause bites that lead to bumps, blisters, edema, and itching? Antiinsecte.com strongly recommends that you carefully examine your bed and bed base if you suspect they are harboring bed bugs. If you find even one, subject the bed base and mattress to the action of a steam cleaner before tackling all your other rooms, as well as your sofas and armchairs. Also, don't forget to wash all your laundry in hot water. Finally, if you happen to stay in unclean conditions during a trip, an inspection of your luggage is required upon your return, as well as washing your clothes in hot water.

Antiinsecte.com is here to help you get rid of your bed bugs

Do not let these insects harm your health and sleep hygiene any longer. We offer a vast catalog of professional products on our website to help you with the treatment of bed bugs at home. You can find all the necessary items for our anti-bed bug treatment products, our anti-bed bug fumigators, our anti-bed bug insecticides, or even our anti-bed bug mattress covers to help you get a more peaceful night's sleep. Our tools are all very simple to use and all our products are of professional quality. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us, where a professional will be at your disposal and will help you as best they can in your search and fight against the bed bug so they no longer stand a chance.