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Bed bugs are insects with the scientific name Cimex lectularius. Through the decades, these insects are considered pests in different countries, be it in the US, in Asian countries, in Europe and even in Africa.

Bed bugs are small and tiny miniscule creatures that creep slowly. They look like tiny crawling dots when seen by the naked eye during broad daylight.

People have their perception and opinion as to how bed bugs look like. But in general, as can be seen in pictures printed all over text books, magazines or even online through the Internet, bed bugs closely resemble their closest relatives—mites.

Physical attributes.

Since bed bugs are so tiny, it would be hard if you attempt to just capture one and closely look at it. If you are really curious, you may try. But it is advisable that you make use of a magnifying glass or lens.

Also be sure that the insect is already dead or paralyzed before touching it for inspection. Otherwise, you may find out for yourself how bed bugs generally look like, but may be a catalyst in spreading the pest.

Remember, small insects like bed bugs are very resilient, contrary to how they look like. Touching it for inspection, the bed bug might run away or crawl out of your palm.

Look at pictures of bed bugs in different easily accessible sources if you really want to know how it looks like.

To describe bed bugs, they generally are so small. Usually, they are colored deep brown. Bt some bed bugs might appear white to creamy white.

When bed bugs are full of blood (by the way, they suck blood for a living), they usually appear or look differently.

Bed bugs which just enjoyed a sumptuous meal of blood from unwilling and unaware hosts, look bloated. Normally, bed bugs look flat when viewed from to bottom.

But having blood in their stomach, bed bugs may look like tiny balloons. The difference, apparently, is that what is inside them is not air but blood.

Presence of hosts blood inside their systems can also make bed bugs appear like tiny creatures with little black or deep red masses inside their bodies.

Wingless creatures.

Unfortunately, for the bed bugs, they are wingless. That means the only way they travel from one place to another to find hosts or ideal habitats, is through crawling.

That can be tough. But imagine how rampant and wide spread they could have been if they have wings to allow them to easily fly around and wander.

Bed bugs look like tiny creatures, they are tinier than ants and mites, that creep into, through and from crevices, small cracks and tiny holes in floors, walls, furniture, bed and even clothes and bed sheets.

Bed bugs do not look like vampires or bats, but they are also nocturnal. It means they are out of sight during daytime, but go out to feed themselves during the night, when the unsuspecting victim or host is sleeping tightly.

By the way, so miniscule they may seem, but did you know that bed bugs, when reaching their full adult stage, can grow and lengthen by as long as a quarter of an inch? If you happen to closely look at one, or if you have seen one, for sure you have wished that they could have stayed tiny.

Bed bugs life span.

Bed bugs really look so tiny, but did you know that on the average, adult bed bugs (with the assumption they feed regularly are not starved) can last more than a year without consuming food?

It is true. Younger bed bugs, which, if not able to suck blood from hosts, would only last a few weeks to about a month. That is much shorter compared to their adult counterparts, but is apparently proves their resilience.

Bed bugs look like they are not active in the reproductive department, but is another wrong assumption. During their life span, female bed bugs can carry and survive three pregnancies. Whenever they lay eggs, they lay about 300 tiny eggs.

That is still pretty much considering their body size.

To wrap things up, size really do matter. In bed bugs case they prove that they are small but terrible. You may not exactly picture out how they may exactly look like, but knowing their functions and notoriety would be an effective measure and equipment against them.

Bed bugs have long been known to infest our homes. Bed bugs are mentioned in the medieval European texts and in the classical Greek writings as early as the period of Aristotle. There are like unwelcome guests to our homes.

With news of infestation, stories of bed bugs and public health concerns spread like wild fire. But what is the truth about bed bugs and public health? Should people be alarmed at the threat of bed bugs to public health?

To get a better understanding of bed bugs and public health issues, we need to know about bed bugs. Bed bugs are small, brown, flat insects that feed on the blood of humans. There are certain bed bugs that feed on wild animals.

Bed bugs and public health concerns about a blood-sucking creature found in their homes is what raises panic among the people. Lack of information often gives the wrong impression on bed bugs and public health.

The bed bugs and public health risks concerning these parasites are often superficial. The usual result of bed bug bites is the itchy, swelling welts on the exposed skin areas during sleep. There are creams that can reduce the swelling and itchiness within minutes of application.

Another result is an allergic reaction to the parasite. However because of the way the bed bug injects some form of local anesthesia before sucking the blood, people do not even notice it. No symptom appears on their skin.

While bed bugs and public health issues are real, they are not grave enough to solicit widespread panic. Bed bugs infestations can be treated with insecticide sprays and insecticide dusting. But the homeowner should get a professional in executing these bed bugs.

The bed bugs and public health concerns that have been raised start with bed bug bites being carriers of diseases. This is a valid question considering that another blood-sucking insect is the culprit of a number of diseases like malaria, dengue and AIDS.

Studies have shown that although there are concerns about them as transmitters of diseases, there is no documented case of that possibility.

Another bed bug and public health issue is the effects of prolonged exposure to bed bug bites. It is feared that bed bugs and public health concerns about the bites will damage people’s over-all health. The fact is the most extreme results for prolonged bed bug bites are embarrassment for the marks and loss of sleep. However they can be a serious stressor and will create a lot of anxiety and unhappiness.

Though the bed bugs and public health concerns about the bites are not a cause for panic,perhaps it would be as well for a doctor to be consulted. The itchy, swelling welts left by these bugs can be mistaken for mosquito bites, and treatment must be given for mosquito bites.

Contrary to the popular notion that bed bugs live in filthy homes and furniture, they don’t. These insects like a warm temperature and like to live near their host regardless of how clean a persons home may be.

Bed bug infestations can quickly spread form one home to another because of the creature’s ability to travel.

Most often, bed bugs are found in motels and hotels. Once a bed bug clings to your belongings and goes home with the luggage, you have unconsciously contributed to the bed bugs and public health infestation issue.

Bed bugs and public health issues have sent out guidelines that hotels, motels, apartments and other lodging facilities should follow. This is a matter of sanitary procedures. The recommended solution for such bed bugs and public health infestation is to have the furniture pre-treated for bed bugs.

Should we really be alarmed about bed bugs infestation? Yes. The body may react so little to these parasites but when it comes to being invaded by these tiny creatures, people should fight back to get rid of an extremely uncomfortable stressor.