There was a time when the phrase, "Don't let the bed bugs bite," was funny. That’s probably because bed bugs were all but eradicated in the United States in the 1950s and 60s. It is not so funny anymore. Bed bug infestations started appearing again in the late 1990s, and they have been on the rise at an alarming rate. It is estimated that 1 in 10 Americans are now affected by this problem. So, it is safe to say that fewer and fewer people are laughing about that phrase now. So, it is no wonder why we are getting more and more questions about them.
Do you have questions about bed bugs? See if your question is in our list of common bed bug questions.
"Do bed bugs fly?" You will be happy to find out that bed bugs do not have the ability to fly. These are wingless insects, but some bed bug species have what are called "wing pads." They look a little bit like wings, but they are purely vestigial.
"Do bed bugs jump?" No. If you're seeing a blood-eating insect that jumps, it is probably a flea. Bed bugs crawl to wherever they're going--and they can crawl very fast.
"Can bed bugs climb up walls?" Yes. Bed bugs can scale vertical surfaces and even climb across walls. These bugs have even been known to fall from ceilings onto beds, but it is important to note that smooth surfaces give them trouble.
"How do bed bugs look?" What you'll notice most when you look at a bed bug is the oval shape and dark horizontal banding on their large oval abdomen. You'll also be sure to recognize them for their distinct blood red and black coloring. But, be aware that bed bugs can sometimes be pill-shaped. They take this shape after feeding. If you look closely you'll also see that they have six legs and two antennae.
"How big are bed bugs?" Bed bugs can be as big as a pea or as small as the tip of a pen. It depends on what developmental stage they are in.
"Where do bed bugs hide?" The most obvious place is inside your mattress, but bed bugs can hide and live in a lot of places--even your walls. Look for black feces, shed insect shells, and blood stains to locate these bugs.
"How do I get rid of bed bugs?" These are resilient and resourceful pests. We strongly advise calling a professional.
If you live in our Florida service area, we can help. Hoffer Pest Solutions is a recognized leader in the pest industry and certified QualtyPro and GreenPro by the National Pest Management Association.
Don't let the bed bugs bite. Call Hoffer Pest for your bed bug solution.