Public Health: Bed Bugs Information : Environmental Health : Arlington, Virginia

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Public Health: Bed Bugs Information

WHAT ARE BED BUGS?

Bed bug

Image of Apple Seeds Apple seed

Bed bugs are small insects that cannot fly. They feed only on blood. They like to feed on human blood but will also feed on animals, such as household pets. Bed bugs are most active at night preferring to feed in the dark, when most people are sleeping. Their bites cause small, initially painless welts on the body---usually on upper extremities such as your arms, chest and neck. Later the bites become larger and itchy. Do not confuse bed bug bites with flea bites. Bites from fleas have a red spot in the center of the welt.

Bed bugs are small but can be seen by the human eye. They are the size of an apple seed. They are rust colored and like to hide in mattresses, box springs, cracks of furniture, floors, walls, window sills and even picture frames located close to beds.

ARE BED BUGS DANGEROUS TO MY HEALTH?

Bed bugs are not considered to spread disease. They are pests. They suck blood from their host and inject saliva that can produce large swellings that itch. These swellings or welts may become irritated and infected as a result of excessive scratching.

Anyone can have a bed bug problem.

HOW CAN I KEEP BED BUGS OUT OF MY HOME?

- - Bed bugs cannot spread far on their own. They rely on humans and their personal articles to travel.
- - When travelling, do a quick inspection of hotel/motel bed frame and mattress.
- - Wash clothing and inspect luggage immediately after returning from a trip.
- - Do not pick up used furniture or mattress/box springs from the roadside or by garbage containers.
- - Use caution when purchasing used furniture from websites, secondhand stores or when renting furniture. Always check the seams and any creased areas for bed bugs.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A BED BUGS PROBLEM?

You may notice itchy skin welts that appear in a linear pattern, or line on your skin. You may see the small blood stains from crushed insects on your mattress or dark spots from their droppings. Look carefully especially in and around the mattress seams.

The chances of having bed bugs increases if you or someone in your family has recently travelled or has gotten used furniture before noticing the bed bug marks on your skin.

Bed Bugs and Stains on Sheet	Bed Bug Stains on Mattress	Bed Bugs on Mattress

Bed Bug Bites on Skin	Bed Bug Bites Severe Reaction	Bed Bug Bites Severe Reaction