As an adult the body of a bed bug measures 4-5 mm and the colour is yellow, red or dark brown but as nymph it is transparent. With its flat body it easily squeezes into small cracks. Normally the life time of a bed bug is 6-9 months but in a laboratory it can reach 18 months. It is a bloodsucking parasite that is shy and active by night. Its capacity to survive is magnificent, it may lay dormant for up to 18 months without food. It's only when a human comes near and it feels the warmth from the body it gets attracted and starts to look for blood. Immediately after it has fed it will look for a mate. A female lays 2-5 eggs a day and it takes approximately 7-20 days before they hatch. Under one lifetime a female can deliver 200-500 eggs. Bed bugs are normally spread through our belongings. They leave traces as black spots, blood stains and shell pieces.
How to avoid them:
- Use plastic or metallic suitcases.
- When staying at hotel, look for indications of bed bugs.
- Place suitcases as far away from the hotel bed as possible.
- Don't unpack suitcases during the trip, wait until you get home.
- Back home after your journey, wash as much as possible in at least 60 degrees.
- Inspect your second-hand-bargains carefully.
Suitable treatments: physical treatment e.g. siliceous, vacuum cleaning, heat, steam and deep freezing.