Bed bugs were commonly found many years ago. Then for about 25 years, they didn’t pose a problem. But, now these nighttime visitors have again emerged to feast on blood from sleeping humans.
The bed bug primarily bites humans, but can feed on any warm-blooded animal, including birds, mice and pets. It’s usually just under a quarter-inch long, brown or reddish brown, and relatively flat. It’s able to crawl into very small crevices in and around human living spaces. These include between mattresses, seams in bed linens, upholstery, behind wood trim, inside electrical boxes, in floors, behind wallpaper and in other spaces close to a potential meal. A female can lay 10-20 eggs per week (500-1000 eggs per year).
An infestation doesn’t necessarily mean there are unclean or unsanitary living conditions. Even highly regarded multi-unit establishments in the USA have had bed bug infestations lately, probably because of domestic and international travel.