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Adult bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are flat, wingless, and reddish-brown. They are about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long and look like apple seeds. Immature bed bugs, or nymphs, are smaller and translucent. Bed bugs are usually visible to the naked eye, especially after feeding, when they appear larger. Infestations often occur in places with high … Read more

A landlord can prove you brought in bed bugs by showing evidence like live bugs, fecal stains, and egg casings. They can use photographs for documentation. Tenants should maintain detailed records. In legal cases, an inspector’s report and any signed bed bug addendum from your move-in are also important. As a tenant, you hold rights … Read more

Bed bugs can enter homes through used furniture, luggage, or backpacks. They often spread in multi-unit buildings like apartment complexes and hotels. Bed bugs are attracted to human body heat and carbon dioxide. Check for rusty stains and look in furniture seams for their presence. Infestations relate to movement of infested items, not hygiene. The … Read more

Bed bugs can enter your home by attaching to clothing, luggage, and secondhand furniture like mattresses and couches. They often hide in cracks and crevices. To prevent their entry, be careful with items you bring inside. Use mattress encasements for protection, but stay alert—bed bugs can survive outside these covers too. Preventing bed bugs begins … Read more

Bed bugs are killed by temperatures below 0°F when exposed for about four days. They tolerate cold but thrive in warmth, being most active between 70°F and 80°F. While short cold spells allow survival, prolonged exposure below 0°F eliminates all life stages. Adult bed bugs can live up to a year without a blood meal. … Read more

Almost 20% of Americans have encountered bed bugs or know someone who has. Bed bug infestations have risen since the 1990s, fueled by increased international travel. These pests are more common in crowded areas, like apartments. Travelers face a higher risk during hotel stays in infested locations. Bed bugs can be found in many indoor … Read more

Bed bugs often enter homes from infested places. Common sources are hotels, secondhand furniture, and apartments. They can travel in luggage, clothing, or on public transport. Bed bugs are drawn to heat and blood, not dirt, so cleanliness does not cause infestations. Prevention involves checking for symptoms and detecting them early. To prevent bed bugs, … Read more

Bed bugs begin as stowaways that travel in luggage, clothing, or secondhand items like mattresses and furniture. They reproduce quickly, leading to infestations in homes. You can identify them by their small, oval shape. Human activities like travel and buying used items often contribute to their spread. Myths surrounding bed bugs often suggest they are … Read more

Bed bugs breed using traumatic insemination. Male bed bugs pierce female bodies to inject sperm into their bloodstream. After fertilization, females lay five to twelve eggs daily, totaling about 500 eggs in their life. They hide in bed seams and box springs, close to human hosts for feeding and laying eggs. Bed bug eggs are … Read more

Bed bugs die naturally from exposure to extreme temperatures. They cannot survive below 25°F (-4°C) for over three weeks or above 113°F (45°C) for more than 90 minutes. Dehydration and starvation also kill them. Baking soda and alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact. These methods help control bed bug populations effectively. When seeking effective … Read more