Bed bugs evoke the reaction on us the same way as cockroaches and ticks do, the urge to use a flamethrower. They are the most annoying bugs ever. They can also cause mental distress. For comprehending what causes bed bug infestation in the first place and how to avoid them, you need to learn what they are actually. Bedbug are oval, flat and reddish brown insects resembling the size of an apple seed. They don’t have wings, they don’t jump but they are pro at traveling. They can also adapt anywhere the humans live. They are pros at hiding and take up abode near their food source.
Difference Between a Cockroach and a Bed Bug
Although both are the most annoying bugs, but they have a few differences. Cockroaches are more of an equal opportunity offenders. They can eat anything they find on the floor like decayed food, scraps on the table, packaged food in your pantry. Due to this, these bugs are attracted by grime and dirty places. For these bugs, anything unsanitary means readily available food. This very concept of unsanitary was taken by the bed bugs who are choosier than the cockroaches. As a matter of fact, they hunt for only one thing, blood. Bed bugs are parasites unlike bed bugs. They can only live by sucking blood of humans and in rare cases, dogs and cats too. However, bed bugs are less durable than cockroaches. They are easy to kill or crush. Due to this, bed bugs prefer to feed themselves when the humans are asleep as this is when they cannot crush the bugs when they feel the bite.
Where do they live?
As they tend to bite a sleeping host, they are found where they are asleep. Hence, the name. they are mostly found in mattresses and headboard. As bed bugs are adaptable they can be found where a human is found the most.
Apart from homes, they can also be found at:
- Buses and bus stops
- Planes
- Trains
- Cruise liners
- Libraries
- Offices
- Daycares
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Theaters
- Police stations
- Hotels
When the infestation is small, they come out at night and feed on the host. They can also live without the blood for many days if necessary. But they tend to eat often but can survive months at room temperature without a meal. As they are cold blooded, their metabolism slows when temperatures are low.
