Bedbugs: Cimex lectularius
The common bedbug is the bedbug best adapted to human environments and the one that causes most problems for humans. Once a common health problem that was almost eliminated as such, bedbugs in the last decade have had a successful resurgence. They are increasingly becoming a problem in homes, apartments, condos, hotels, hospitals, college dormitories and cruise ships.
Adult bedbugs are wingless, reddish brown, flattened, oval, 4-5 mm long and are fast runners (video). They change color to a deep red-brown after a bloodmeal. Usually flattened from top to bottom, bedbugs will swell like a balloon when engorged with blood. Young bedbugs called "nymphs" look like adults only smaller. There are 5 stages the nymphs pass through to adulthood. Each juvenile stage requires a bloodmeal to mature to the next level. Entire development from nymph to adult requires 6-8 weeks. Adults can live an average of up to 1 year. Eggs are very difficult to see as they are cream colored and only 1mm in length. Bedbugs have piercing sucking mouth parts. They pierce the skin, injecting an anti-coagulant then withdraw blood until full (video). Adult bedbugs will feed every 5 to 10 days.
