Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
Facts about Bed Bugs
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are wingless, red/brown,
oval-shaped insects that feed off the blood of
humans, but they will also bite other
mammals and birds. They grow to about 7
mm in length and can live from 4 to 12
months. A female bed bug lays between 200
to 400 eggs during her lifespan. The eggs are
oval-shaped, about the size of the head of a
pin, and are found in clusters of 10 to 50 eggs.
The eggs hatch in about 10 days. Bed bugs
feed at night, but during the day they hide in
cracks and crevices of furniture such as
nightstands and dressers, and in the seams
and holes of mattresses.
Do bed bugs carry disease?
There's no evidence that bed bugs carry
disease that is harmful to humans. Bed bugs
aren't like fleas and lice and don't hop from
person-to-person.
How will I know if I have been bitten by a
bed bug?
Many people have no symptoms of bed
bug bites. Others will get a welt or skin
swelling that's itchy. The welt is often
mistaken for a mosquito or fleabite. Fleabites
however are usually found on the ankles. Bed
bugs will bite any skin that is exposed when
sleeping, such as the chest, arms, legs, neck,
face, and hands. Bed bug infestations may go
unnoticed for a long period of time and can
become quite large before they're found.
What is the treatment for bed bug bites?
Your healthcare provider may prescribe
creams or lotions to help with itching and to
prevent infection.
How do you know if you have bed bugs?
Bed bugs leave their waste (poop)
behind. The dried waste looks like small dark
stains near mattress seams. You may also see
bed bugs and their eggs in this area. The best
way to know is to have a professional pest
control service inspect your home.
How do bed bugs get into my home?
Bed bugs often catch a ride on clothes,
furniture, bedding, and in bags. Carefully
inspect any items that you're bringing into
your home for evidence of bugs. Once bed
bugs are in an apartment they can quickly
spread through the entire building by
crawling through electrical wiring, pipes, and
other openings.
What can I do to stop bed bugs from
entering my home?
Even the cleanest homes and hotels can
have bed bugs, but regular housecleaning,
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