What are Bed Bugs?

“Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” We’ve all heard the saying, but is there any truth to it? Absolutely! This phrase didn’t come out of nowhere.

Bed bugs are six-legged insects about the size of an apple seed. They’re flat, oval-shaped, and wingless. Babies are much smaller and hard to spot. These insects feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans, bats, birds, and even pets. There are over 90 different species of bed bugs, but only two bite people. The main species that feeds on humans is called Cimex lectularius.

Bed bugs have quite the interesting history. Bed bugs were once a very real problem many people faced, especially before the 1940s. Effective pesticides were discovered to control bed bugs. For a while, the pesticides worked and bed bugs disappeared. But starting in the 1980s, they made a big comeback due to changes in pest control, increased worldwide travel, and growing resistance to pesticides.

Today, bed bugs are commonly found in places like dorms, hotels, hostels, apartments, public transportation, and even movie theaters. They can spread easily by getting into suitcases, purses, and other personal items.

Bed bugs are commonly found on bed mattresses. At night, they come out and feed on blood, often without even being noticed!

There are a few ways they affect people:

• Nuisance biting. About half of people will have an itchy reaction to bed bug bites.
• Allergic reaction. In rare cases, some people can have an allergic reaction to the bites.
• Anemia. If a person gets a lot of bed bug bites, it can lead to anemia.
• Mental toll. Bed bugs can impact a person emotionally and physiologically. Just knowing they might be present can cause stress, loss of sleep, and anxiety.

Another question people ask is if bed bugs spread diseases. Older research suggests they might, but current research shows there’s little evidence they transmit diseases to humans. Remember, just because something carries a disease doesn’t mean it can be passed along!

Dr. Jerome Goddard, MSU Extension’s very own medical entomologist, has two videos on bed bugs and a few entertaining stories to go along with them! Be sure to check out part 1 and part 2 of the videos!

Want more info on bed bugs? Check out MSU Extension Publication 2546, “Bed Bugs and What to Do About Them.”