Bed bugs are small insects that can cause big problems in homes around the world. These tiny parasites feed on human blood and usually come out at night while people are sleeping. Although they are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, discomfort, and stress. Understanding why bed bugs enter homes and what attracts them is the first step to preventing an infestation.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. Because of their shape and size, they can hide easily in tiny cracks and crevices. They usually live in places close to where people sleep, such as mattresses, bed frames, headboards, furniture, and even behind wallpaper or electrical outlets.
Bed bugs are very resilient. They can survive for several months without feeding, which makes them difficult to eliminate once they settle into a home.