Understanding Bed Bugs: Life Cycle, Eggs, and Nesting Areas
Bed bugs are tiny, blood-sucking pests that can be a nightmare for homes and businesses. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed, and feed on human or animal blood. They hide in small crevices during the day and come out at night to feed.
Bed Bug Eggs and Life Cycle
A female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime, often hidden in mattress seams, furniture cracks, or baseboards. These eggs are tiny and white, hatching within 6-10 days. Bed bugs go through five nymph stages before reaching adulthood, needing blood to grow after each molt. The full life cycle can take five weeks to several months, depending on environment conditions and temperatures.
Where Do Bed Bugs Nest?
Contrary to their name, bed bugs hide in more than just beds. Common nesting spots include:
Mattress seams and box springs
Bed frames and headboards
Cracks in walls or furniture
Behind baseboards or inside electrical outlets
Behind wall papers, picture frames, wall clocks, and clothing storage units
They are expert hiders, making them difficult to eliminate.
How to Control Bed Bugs
For effective bed bug control, early detection is key. Regularly inspect sleeping areas and use professional pest control services like Pest Dominion to fully treat infestations. Quick action and thorough treatment are essential to stop bed bugs from spreading further. Often, ignoring bed bug infestation can lead to a bigger issue.
