Bed Bugs

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are resilient, wingless parasitic insects that have specialized in feeding on human blood for millennia. These nocturnal pests are notorious for their ability to hide in the smallest crevices of mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture, emerging only to feed when their hosts are stationary. Their flattened, mahogany-colored bodies allow them to navigate through cracks as thin as a credit card, making them one of the most challenging household pests to detect and eliminate without expert entomological knowledge.

While bed bugs are not currently known to transmit pathogens to humans, their presence causes significant psychological distress, severe sleep disruption, and allergic reactions. A single fertile female can trigger a massive infestation within weeks, as they are capable of laying hundreds of eggs in a lifetime. Professional management is essential because modern bed bug populations have developed widespread resistance to many over-the-counter pyrethroid insecticides, requiring specialized heat treatments or advanced chemical rotations for complete eradication.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Entomology

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