Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small biting insects that multiply quickly and travel easily. They are not a health hazard and not known to spread any human disease. Contact your landlord immediately if you find bed bugs in your home because the sooner you deal with them, the sooner you can be rid of them.
Anyone Can Get Bed Bugs – It’s Not Your Fault!
It is possible for any location to become infested with bedbugs and using a proactive, community approach early on will help you effectively prevent and respond to these pests. Contact your municipality or Public Health for advice on how to get rid of bed bugs.
What do they look like?
- Bed bugs are oval, flat, reddish brown insects, about as big as an apple seed
- Before feeding they are flat and brown. After feeding they become larger and turn a more reddish-brown colour.
- Baby bed bugs are smaller, whiter, and harder to spot.
- A female bed bug can lay about 200 to 500 eggs during her lifespan. Eggs are very small; about the size of a grain of rice.
Quick Facts About Bed Bugs:
- Bed bugs can be found all over world: in many cities and towns, in homes, stores, offices and public places.
- Bed bugs feed on the blood of animals or birds, but they prefer people.
- Adult bed bugs can live for up to a year without feeding.
- Usually bed bugs live for 6 to 9 months.
- The eggs hatch about 10 days after they are laid.
- They usually hide during the day and come out at night to feed.
- Bed bugs can’t fly or jump, but can walk as quickly as an ant.
- Bed bugs are attracted to body heat, and the air people exhale.
- Bed bugs can travel from place to place on clothing, and personal belongings like luggage, knapsacks, computer bags and purses.