What are bed bugs? and Are they dangerous?

Bed Bugs scientifically named Cimex lectularius Linnaeus are a parasitic insect that feed on the blood of mammals. They are nocturnal feeders and they prefer to feed on human beings. They will drink the blood of sleeping victims and leave behind a distinctive three bite pattern that scientists refer to as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Feeding.

Once they have fed they will retire to their hiding place, digest their meal, excrete the waste and then return when it is dark to feed again and again.

Here is a brief scientific description of the typical adult Bed Bug. The adult bed bug is a broadly flattened, ovoid, insect with greatly reduced wings . The reduced fore wings or hemelytra are broader than they are long with a somewhat rectangular appearance. The sides of the pronotum are covered with short stiff hairs .

Before feeding bed bugs are usually brown in color and range from 6 to 9.5 mm in length. After feeding the body is often swollen and red in color . Their larvae are the size shape and color of a small grain of uncooked white rice.

Extensive research has been done into the issue of whether or not Bed Bugs are dangerous to human beings. As of 2012, all the results have shown that while Bed Bugs can be a considerable nuisance they do not transmit any known illness or disease to human beings. While they may cause a great deal of psychological discomfort or fear in human beings they will not damage our physical health.

You may also wonder if Bed Bug bites are a health concern. When a Bed Bug first bites they inject some of their saliva into the bite wound. This serves as an anti-coagulant to keep the blood flowing as they drink and as an anesthetic to prevent the victim from feeling the bite or the feeding. The medical consensus is that Bed Bug bites are generally harmless but on rare occasions they can become a problem.

Bed Bug bites are generally a series of small red bumps. More often than not the bites are minor and disappear quickly but they can cause a serious rash if the bites are scratched. If an individual is allergic they may have a reaction to the bites and a severe rash will result that requires medical treatment but this is quite uncommon. If you are bitten by Bed Bugs avoid scratching the bites and use an anti-itch cream if the bites start to itch or swell.