What Are Bedbugs

You might be be wondering what are bedbugs and what do bedbugs look like.  Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that found all over the world. They are nocturnal parasites, which means they rest during the day and are active at night. They love to feed on the blood of humans. Bedbugs prefer to hide in bedding and on mattresses where they have ready access to a never ending supply source of food.

Bedbugs have highly developed mouth parts that can pierce through skin easily. Though their bite is painless, it does however becomes itchy and swells into a reddened wheal. Unlike the random pattern of bites made by mosquitoes, bedbugs tend to leave orderly rows of patterns.

Bedbug Bites - What Are Bedbugs

Although bedbugs can harbour diseases in their bodies, transmission to humans is considered highly unlikely. Therefore, for this reason they are not considered dangerous, unless a person is allergic to them. However, their presence can be distressing and their bites can be highly irritating at times.

Humans are the preferred host for these bedbugs.  Bedbugs live exclusively on blood. They prefer human blood but will feed on other mammals if necessary too.

Bedbugs find their host through body heat and the carbon dioxide in the air.  Bedbugs commonly target the shoulders and the arms.

During feeding, the bedbug’s proboscis (feeding organ) swings forward and downward to pierce the skin of the victim. Saliva (containing an anticoagulant) is then injected into the skin, which is the cause of an allergic reaction in some people. Bedbugs take around five to 10 minutes to feed. As the bedbug engorges with blood, its colouring changes from light brown to rust–red.