Bedbugs are wingless insects , measuring approximately 5 mm in length as adults. Bedbugs have six legs that enable them to move rapidly when disturbed. They are pale brown in colour, which changes to a red brown with blood. Most blood feeding occurs at night, and particularly in the hours before dawn. At daylight the bedbugs seek shelter and become inactive while they digest their meal.
The bugs stay in close contact with each other and conceal themselves behind loos, wallpaper, under the seams of mattresses, floorboards and in crack and crevices of walls, paintings and furniture. Bedbugs can survive for long periods without feeding.
Bedbugs depend on blood for their complete nutrition and feed frequently where possible. Each of the five nymph stages requires at least one meal to moult to the next stage. The entire nymph development takes six to eight weeks. Adult bedbugs can live for six to twelve months and each female, after mating, will lay two to three eggs a day throughout her life.
These cream coloured eggs (1 mm in size) are cemented on rough surfaced hiding places, and will hatch within ten days at room temperature, but longer if the temperature is cooler. Bedbugs can cause a great deal of discomfort and distress to those who come in close contact with them.
Bedbugs have difficulty dispersing beyond adjoining rooms, and their movement is dictated by the relocation of infected furniture and possessions to a new environment. Initially, minor infestations may result form the transfer, but the population of bedbugs will rapidly grow if left untreated. Heavy infestations are usually accompanied by a sweet sickly smell. Walls, bedding and other areas that are infested are often marked with black and brown spots of excreta and excess blood.
Control
Careful inspection of the infected premises should be undertaken to determine the extent of the problem before treatment commences. All possible hiding places within each room of the premises should be explored. Thorough and effective application of an appropriate insecticide by a qualified pest control officer should provide total eradication. Liquid sprays may need to be directed into wall and furniture cavities.