Ask Dr. Bug - Bed Bugs

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I am responsible for maintaining crew bunks in what is actually a very clean environment. I have received several reports lately of bed bugs in the crew bunks. I don't believe that the bunks actually have bed bugs. How can I tell?

Dear PMP,

I have included some information on bed bugs from the "Insects on the WWW" website.

Hemiptera: Cimicidae

SIZE: 1/4 to 3/8 inch (4-5 mm)

COLOR: Reddish brown or brown

DESCRIPTION: Bed bugs are sometimes called "red coats," "chinches," or "mahogany flats". The adult bed bug is a wingless insect that is flattened from top to bottom.

HABITAT: At the beginning of an infestation, bed bugs are likely to be found only in the tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses and bed covers.In areas of heavy infestation, bed bugs can be found in crevices in the bedsteads. Bed bugs can live in bird nests, houses and buildings.You may often find several bird nests in the eaves and on the roof which enables bed bugs to come into the living areas of a home.

LIFE CYCLE: The life cycle stages of a bed bug are egg, nymph, and adult.The females lay about 200 eggs, usually at the rate of three or four a day, in cracks and crevices in the floor or bed. Newly hatched bed bugs begin feeding immediately. They shed their skin five times before becoming adults.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: They feed principally on human blood by piercing the skin with a long beak and sucking blood into their stomachs. They feed mostly at night, but will feed during the day if hungry and the light is dim.

Infestation of bed bugs indicate their presence by leaving blood stain smears on walls, bedding, curtains and other light colored surfaces.

Whitmire Micro-Gen has a free pest management brochure targeting bed bugs available by calling their customer service department at 800-777-8570.