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National Institutes of Health
Bedbugs bite you and feed on your blood. You may have no reaction to the bites, or you may have small marks or itching. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Bedbugs don't transmit or spread diseases.
Adult bedbugs are brown, 1/4 to 3/8 inch long, and have a flat, oval-shaped body. Young bedbugs (called nymphs) are smaller and lighter in color. Bedbugs hide in a variety of places around the bed. They might also hide in the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, and in the folds of curtains. They come out to feed about every five to ten days. But they can survive over a year without feeding.
To prevent bedbugs in your home:
- Check secondhand furniture for any signs of bedbugs before bringing it home.
- Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs. Check it regularly for holes.
- Reduce clutter in your home so they have fewer places to hide.
- Unpack directly into your washing machine after a trip and check your luggage carefully. When staying in hotels, put your suitcases on luggage racks instead of the floor. Check the mattress and headboard for signs of bedbugs.
To get rid of bedbugs:
- Wash and dry bedding and clothing at high temperatures.
- Use mattress, box spring, and pillow encasements to trap bedbugs and help detect infestations.
- Use pesticides if needed.
Environmental Protection Agency
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03/31/2015 04:01 PM EDT
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Related MedlinePlus Page: Bedbugs
Related MedlinePlus Page: Bedbugs
Start Here
- Bed Bugs FAQs(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- JAMA Patient Page: Bed Bugs(American Medical Association) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
Overviews
- Bedbugs(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Bedbugs and Bug Bites(Logical Images)
- Introduction to Bed Bugs(Environmental Protection Agency)
Treatment
- Bedbugs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Do-it-yourself Bed Bug Control(Environmental Protection Agency)
- Getting Rid of Bed Bugs(Environmental Protection Agency)
- Pesticides to Control Bed Bugs(Environmental Protection Agency)
Prevention/Screening
- Bedbugs: Signs and Symptoms(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Bedbugs: Tips for Preventing(American Academy of Dermatology)
- How to Identify a Bed Bug Infestation(Virginia Cooperative Extension) - PDF
- Prevention and Control of Bed Bugs in Residences(University of Minnesota, Extension Service)
- Protecting Your Home from Bed Bugs(Environmental Protection Agency)
- Top Ten Bed Bug Tips(Environmental Protection Agency)
- Also available in Spanish
Related Issues
- EPA-Registered Bed Bug Products(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs)
- Protecting Yourself from Bed Bugs in Public Places(Environmental Protection Agency)
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Pictures & Photographs
- Bedbug Bite(Logical Images)
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Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Bedbugs(National Institutes of Health)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)Organizations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Also available in Spanish
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Pesticide Information Center(Oregon State University, Environmental Protection Agency)
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Law and Policy
- Collaborative Stategy on Bed Bugs(Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Children
- Bedbug Bites(American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Hey! A Bedbug Bit Me!(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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