LIFE CYCLE: Bed bugs mate via traumatic insemination, whereby the male penetrates the abdomen wall of the female with his penis. Once fertilized a female will lay 5-6 eggs per day. (300-500 lifetime). She lays the eggs singly, attaching them to the surface with a cement like secretion. The eggs are clustered in groups of 20-50 called brood centres.

FEEDING: Both sexes and all stages of the bed bug feed on blood obtained from warm blooded animals. They acquire the blood by inserting their proboscis (mouthpart) into a vein or capillary where they secrete an anesthetic and anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting. Blood flows freely into the bed bug until the animal’s coagulants kick in. At this point the blood flow halts and the bed bug withdraws its proboscis, takes a few steps and the process is started all over. Bed bugs will typically visit 2-3 sites on their host before becoming fully engorged (about 10 minutes).

	BITES: As with all arthropods (scorpions, bees, wasps, spiders, etc.) everyone reacts differently when bit. Typically the bites are as pictured to the left (raised, reddened, itchy and configured in a line). Some people do not react at all and would never know if they have been bitten, others swell right up. Anaphalactic shock has been documented in some individuals. As with any type of bite if it is scratched it can become infected. Consult your physician to receive advice on treatment. DISEASES: Bed bugs are known to be capable of carrying 27 (some estimates are as high as 41) different pathogens such as Hepatitis B and HIV. At this time there is no evidence to suggest that bed bugs transmit disease from one host to another.
DORMANCY: Bed bugs possess the ability to go into a dormant like stage when food is not available. Essentially their metabolism slows and they become inactive. Nymphs are capable of going without food for several months (3-6) while the adults can last up to one year. In the event of a food shortage bed bugs may also migrate in search of a new host. These factors can pose difficulties when attempting to erradicate bed bugs (to be discussed in the treatment section). HABITS: Sanitation has nothing to do with where bed bugs live. They are opportunistic and can be found in a five star hotel just as easily as a one star hotel. They are most often introduced via luggage and personal belongings when a person travels from an infested space to a non-infested space. They harbour in cracks and crevices, often near their food source. Typical locations include; boxspring, headboard, mattress seams, night stands, and under baseboards. They are nocturnal with peak activity occurring a couple of hours before dawn.