Posted on April 21st 2025

Bed Bugs: What You Need to Know to Stay Bite-Free

Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating pests homeowners can face—and unfortunately, they don’t care how clean or dirty your home is. These tiny blood-feeding insects are masters at hiding, traveling, and multiplying fast, which makes professional pest control essential to get rid of them.

Whether you're worried about bringing them home from vacation or suspect you may already have an infestation, here's everything you need to know about bed bugs, including how to prevent them, how to identify them, and what treatments actually work.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are wingless, about the size of an apple seed when fully grown, and hide in cracks, crevices, and seams of bedding, mattresses, and furniture.

While they don't transmit diseases, their bites can lead to itchy welts, allergic reactions, and sleepless nights—not to mention emotional stress and embarrassment.

Bed Bugs vs. Bat Bugs: What's the Difference?

There are multiple species of bed bugs in the U.S., but two commonly confused ones are:

• Human Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius): Feeds almost exclusively on humans. Found in homes, hotels, dorms, hospitals, and shelters.
• Bat Bug (Cimex adjunctus): Looks nearly identical but primarily feeds on bats. Occasionally found in attics or walls where bats have roosted.

If bats are removed from a structure without sealing the entry points, bat bugs may wander into living areas and bite humans—but they don’t typically reproduce or thrive without their preferred host.

Where Are Bed Bugs Native To?

Bed bugs are not new pests. They've been living alongside humans for thousands of years and are found worldwide, including right here in Connecticut. They thrive in environments where people sleep, making them well-adapted to apartments, hotels, public transportation, and even movie theaters.

Do Only Dirty Homes Get Bed Bugs?

Absolutely not. This is one of the most harmful myths about bed bugs.

Bed bugs are hitchhikers, not scavengers. They don’t care about grime or clutter; they care about access to a warm-blooded host and places to hide. They can be brought into clean homes via:

• Luggage after traveling
• Used furniture
• Guests or roommates
• Shared laundry facilities
• Public transit or ride shares

Being clean helps detect them faster, but it doesn’t prevent them.

Bed Bug Travel Tips: Don't Bring Home Unwanted Souvenirs

If you're traveling, keep your eyes open to avoid picking up bed bugs. Here are our vacation safety tips :

• Pack a flashlight: Use it to inspect hotel bedding, mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and behind wall hangings.
• Lift and look: Check mattress corners, box springs, and under nightstands for reddish stains or tiny dark spots.
• Keep luggage off the floor: Use luggage racks and keep bags zipped shut when not in use.
• Unpack outside: When you get home, inspect your luggage and wash all clothes in hot water.

How Fast Do Bed Bugs Move and Reproduce?

Bed bugs aren’t as fast as roaches, but they can move up to 19 feet in 5 minutes—which means they can travel from a neighboring apartment or room fairly quickly.

As for reproduction:

• A single female can lay 200–500 eggs in her lifetime.
• Lay up to 5-6 eggs Per Day 
• Eggs hatch in 6–10 days, and nymphs reach maturity in 5–8 weeks.
• Under ideal conditions, populations can double every 16 days.

That’s why early detection and intervention are key!

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Here’s what to look for:

• Itchy red welts, often in a line or cluster
• Tiny blood stains on sheets or pillowcases
• Dark fecal spots in mattress seams or behind baseboards
• Live bugs or shed skins (nymphs molt five times before adulthood)
• A sweet, musty odor in heavily infested areas

Not sure? Professionals can install bed bug monitors like ClimbUp Interceptors on bed legs to detect early activity.

How Do Bed Bugs Feed?

Bed bugs feed at night while you're sleeping, inserting two tiny tubes:

• One delivers an anesthetic and anticoagulant.
• The other draws your blood.

Each feeding lasts 3–10 minutes. Afterward, the bug retreats to a hiding spot for several days to digest before feeding again.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Inside?

They don’t come from outdoors like ants or spiders. Instead, bed bugs are usually carried in:

• On luggage, purses, backpacks
• In secondhand furniture or clothing
• By visitors or residents who already have them

Apartment dwellers may also experience infestations due to shared walls and utilities , which bed bugs can travel through.

Treatment Options: Heat vs. Liquid

At KEA PEST CONTROL, we offer both liquid and heat-based treatments, depending on the severity and location of your infestation.

🔥 Heat Treatment

• Heats rooms to 120°F+ to kill all life stages.
• Kills eggs, nymphs, and adults in one treatment.
• No residual chemical left behind.
• Great for whole-home or severe infestations.

💧 Liquid Treatment

• Involves targeted application of bed bug control products.
• Often requires multiple follow-up visits.
• May include dusts, aerosols, and crack & crevice treatments.
• Can be combined with steam and monitors.

We always recommend combining treatments with education, prevention tips, and monitoring devices for long-term protection.

Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Bed bugs are one of the toughest pests to eliminate, and DIY methods usually don’t cut it. If you think you might have bed bugs—or if you're moving, traveling, or just want peace of mind—contact KEA PEST CONTROL today for a discreet inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I get bed bugs even if I’m clean?

Yes. Bed bugs are not attracted to filth—they're attracted to people.

Are bed bugs only found in beds?

No. They can hide in couches, baseboards, outlets, nightstands, backpacks, and behind picture frames.

What kills bed bugs instantly?

High heat (120°F or above) can kill bed bugs instantly. Steam is useful for treating seams and furniture cracks.

How long can bed bugs survive without feeding?

They can live months without a meal, especially in cooler temperatures. Adults can survive up to a year.

Can bed bugs live in walls? 

Yes, they can hide in cracks, electrical outlets, and wall voids—especially in multi-unit buildings.

Need help with bed bugs in Connecticut?