Bed Bugs & Bird Mites
Bed Bugs
Cimex Lectularius
These pesky insects usually visit their host for a brief feed in the early hours just before dawn.
Identify
- Bites marks after waking up in the morning.
- Bite marks are generally small, itchy red bumps that can be found in clusters on the human body.
Life Cycle
- An adult female that feeds regularly can lay 2 to 3 eggs per day.
- Eggs are laid there where they rest (safe harbourage).
- Larvae will have to consume a blood meal per week to complete each of its 5 to 6 moulting stages.
- Eggs can stay dormant until they pick up the vibrations of people (host) walking before they hatch*.
Habitat
- Bed bugs are migratory arachnids. They can cling to a host, bedding and mattresses travelling to and infesting a new location.
- Bed bugs can migrate via people, bedding and mattresses.
- These insects are nocturnal and exclusively consume blood meals from humans.
- Bed bugs hide in the tiny cracks and crevices of bed boards and mattresses.
Bird Mites
Dermanyssus Gallinae
These pesky insects usually visit their host for a brief feed in the early hours just before dawn.
Identify
- Bite marks on the body after a nights sleep.
- Bite marks are generally located in clusters there where clothes have been worn. Bite marks may also appear on arms and legs.
Life Cycle
- Eggs hatch in three days.
- The nymph will need to consume a blood meal at each stage of its life cycle.
- Females lay their eggs away from the host, like nests and the folder corners of mattresses.
Habitat
- These pests consume blood meals from birds, rodents, mice and other mammals like humans.
- Mites are found in the nests of birds like pigeons, starlings and swallows.
- Nests in your roof may cause the mites to migrate In search of a blood meal other than the hosts in the nest.