Quick Facts

Bed Bugs Quick Facts

(photo by Ben Hottel 2011)

• Feed on blood of humans, other mammals, and birds.


• Usually only feed at night


• Can survive without feeding for months


• Do not vector any diseases


• Can cause itchy welts on areas of the skin they have fed on


• Have been found in hotels, apartments, homes, movie theatres, cruise ships, clothing retail stores, and many other places people reside


• Commonly spread to new areas by hitch hiking in bags, moved furniture, and clothing


• Usually hide in cracks and crevices of furniture


• Resistant to multiple insecticides


• Difficult to eliminate without professional help

This project is funded by the University of Illinois
Student Sustainability Committee and USDA NIFA.
Last Updated: 06/22/11