Bed bug

Bed bugs are <a href="/facts/Parasitic/HWPcgky7">parasitic</a> <a href="/facts/Insect/IgDNvnUL">insects</a> from the genus <a href="/facts/Cimex/cBqBg7TC">Cimex</a>, which are <a href="/facts/Micropredator/HWPcgky7">micropredators</a> that <a href="/facts/Haematophagy/plcTvPFg">feed on blood</a>, usually at night. Their bites can result in a number of health impacts, including <a href="/facts/Skin_rash/W97qGpq6">skin rashes</a>, psychological effects, and <a href="/facts/Allergy/dYAVosh8">allergic</a> symptoms. Bed bug bites may lead to skin changes ranging from small areas of redness to prominent <a href="/facts/Blister/qGhqaeQV">blisters</a>. Symptoms may take between minutes to days to appear and <a href="/facts/Pruritus/MBWq6SPc">itchiness</a> is generally present. Some individuals may feel tired or have a <a href="/facts/Fever/waVxR2Ac">fever</a>. Typically, uncovered areas of the body are affected. Their bites are not known to transmit any <a href="/facts/Infectious_disease/182XrncP">infectious disease</a>. Complications may rarely include <a href="/facts/Necrotic/zCPsTeWx">areas of dead skin</a> or <a href="/facts/Vasculitis/rS2rP61A">vasculitis</a>.
Bed bug bites are caused primarily by two species of insects: <a href="/facts/Cimex_lectularius/CwvSgsId">Cimex lectularius</a> (the common bed bug) and <a href="/facts/Cimex_hemipterus/fQeQXlSE">Cimex hemipterus</a>, found primarily in the tropics. Their size ranges between 1 and 7 mm. They spread by crawling between nearby locations or by being carried within personal items. <a href="/facts/Infestation/s6QpTCLa">Infestation</a> is rarely due to a lack of <a href="/facts/Hygiene/zH17q0L0">hygiene</a> but is more common in high-density areas. Diagnosis involves both finding the bugs and the occurrence of compatible symptoms. Bed bugs spend much of their time in dark, hidden locations like mattress seams, or cracks in a wall.
Treatment is <a href="/facts/Symptomatic_treatment/zQlnUC9x">directed towards the symptoms</a>. Eliminating bed bugs from the home is often difficult, partly because bed bugs can survive up to approximately 300 days without feeding. Repeated treatments of a home may be required. These treatments may include heating the room to 50 °C (122 °F) for more than 90 minutes, frequent <a href="/facts/Vacuum_cleaner/6WNLtcKy">vacuuming</a>, washing clothing at high temperatures, and the use of various <a href="/facts/Pesticide/Uhf4KnwJ">pesticides</a>.
Fossils found in Egypt show bed bugs have been known as human parasites for at least 3,500 years. Despite being nearly eradicated in developed countries after <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>, infestations have increased since the 1990s and bed bugs are now relatively common in all regions of the globe. Experts point to several factors that have contributed to the explosion in infestations over the last three decades: increased immigration and international travel; expanded markets for second-hand goods; a greater focus on control of other pests; the banning of certain pesticides and increased <a href="/facts/Resistance_to_pesticides/FvetsYFQ">resistance to pesticides</a> still in use.

Bed bug open-in-new

Bed bug