The Bedbug
(Climex lectularius)
Bedbugs live off their host, Humans. They live in crevices
in walls, under wallpaper, in light switches, behind headboards
and in folds of a mattress or bed base.Eggs are laid in these
harbourages, covered with a quick drying adhesive which cements
them to the surface on which they are laid. They only visit
the host to take a blood meal.
Reproduction & Life Cycle
EGGS.
Shaped like a rubber teat, one end covered with an egg-cap.
The female will lay 1-5 eggs per day 541 in one life time.
Development time (egg to adult) is 21 days at 86F/30C to 120
days at 65F/18C
Nymphs.
There are 5 nymph stages and every one needs a blood meal.
Adults.
The adult has well developed antennae on its head and a pair
of ineffective eyes. It has biting and sucking mouth parts
in order to feed on the blood of its host. It normally
feeds on upper, exposed parts of the body. Most bedbugs
are found on a wall close to the sleeping host, or in the bed
frame. it takes about 5-10 minutes to suck a full meal from
the exposed flesh and brown fecal deposits on pillows, sheets,
and areas of harbourages can be found. Individuals can
live up to 316 days and if tempertures fall below 61F/16C adults
enter semihibernation and can survive for months.
What to do now you know you have Bedbugs
1) Remove all bed sheets, curtains and
clothes and wash at a temperture above 115F/44C this
will kill any nymphs,adults and egg cases.
2) Vacuum every where; underneath and
inside beds, mattresses, any side units and wardrobes,
check behind light switches and posters or picture frames.
By doing this you will be removing any Bedbugs that are exposed.
3) Contact APC
to do a Bedbug treatment
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