Fast facts on bed bugs – key points

Key facts about bed bugs

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, wingless insects from the Cimicidae family. These pests are haematophagous, which means they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals—including humans. Once they infest a home or business, they can be challenging to eliminate without professional help.

Here are some essential facts about bed bugs:

• They are called bed bugs because they prefer hiding in beds, sofas, mattresses, and other soft furnishings.
• Bed bugs are nocturnal and typically feed on their host while they’re asleep.
• Feeding is painless and often goes unnoticed.
• Their peak feeding time is around one hour before sunrise.
• A feeding session usually lasts around five minutes, after which they retreat to their hiding places.
• A single female bed bug can lay up to five eggs daily—and around 500 eggs in her lifetime.
• Bites may take up to nine days to become visible.
• Unlike flea bites, bed bug bites don’t usually have a red centre.
• Bites often appear in rows of two or three, commonly called the “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” pattern.
• Their ability to hide in tiny crevices—such as behind skirting boards, under carpets, or inside electrical outlets—makes them incredibly hard to eliminate without expert intervention.

Dealing with a possible infestation? Let PROSHIELD take care of it.

Our trained technicians use safe, municipality-approved solutions to eliminate bed bugs and restore peace of mind.