Bedbugs Summary Bedbugs bite you and feed on your blood. You may have no reaction to the bites, or you may have small marks or itching. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Bedbugs don’t transmit or spread diseases. Adult bedbugs are brown, 1/4 to 3/8 inch long, and have a flat, oval-shaped body. Young bedbugs (called nymphs) are smaller and lighter in color. Bedbugs hide in a variety of places around the bed. They might also hide in the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, and in the folds of curtains. They come out to feed about every five to ten days. But they can survive over a year without feeding. To prevent bedbugs in your home: Check secondhand furniture for any signs of bedbugs before bringing it home. Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs. Check it regularly for holes. Reduce clutter in your home so they have fewer places to hide. Unpack directly into your washing machine after a trip and check your luggage carefully. When staying in hotels, put your suitcases on luggage racks instead of the floor. Check the mattress and headboard for signs of bedbugs. To get rid of bedbugs: Wash and dry bedding and clothing at high temperatures. Use mattress, box spring, and pillow encasements to trap bedbugs and help detect infestations. Use pesticides if needed. Environmental Protection Agency Find an Expert American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency Start Here Bed Bugs FAQs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Bedbugs American Academy of Dermatology Bedbugs Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bedbugs and Bug Bites Logical Images Introduction to Bed Bugs Environmental Protection Agency Images Bedbug Bite Logical Images Children Bedbug Bites American Academy of Pediatrics Hey! A Bedbug Bit Me! Nemours Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bedbugs National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Do-it-yourself Bed Bug Control Environmental Protection Agency Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Environmental Protection Agency Related Issues EPA-Registered Bed Bug Products Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs Protecting Yourself from Bed Bugs in Public Places Environmental Protection Agency Prevention and Risk Factors How to Find Bed Bugs Environmental Protection Agency Prevention and Control of Bed Bugs in Residences University of Minnesota, Extension Service Protecting Your Home from Bed Bugs Environmental Protection Agency Top Ten Bed Bug Tips Environmental Protection Agency Journal Articles Bedbugs Latest News Fighting Back, Bedbugs Grow a Thicker Skin HealthDay Bed Bugs Drawn to Red and Black Colors HealthDay
