Bed Bug Facts and Fiction

Bed Bug Facts and Fiction

Cimex lectularius, commonly known as Bed Bug is an ancient insect, having existed for a long time but disappeared around the ‘50s due to an increased rate of hygiene practices and production of insecticides. Although in the past decade, there has been a massive resurgence of these pests due to an exponential increment in population in urban areas, improved pesticide shield developed by bugs and global migrations. The issue for concern as associated with this bug resurgence is the rate at which false information on the parasite is being passed from person to person.

The points below are facts to clarify various myths in circulation about the tiny vampires

• Bed bugs reproduce much slower than other insects: Contrary to the belief that bed bugs reproduce at the speed of light, they are the slowest in comparison with other bugs like the housefly when it comes to reproduction. They are only able to lay up to three eggs a day and their life cycle takes more than a month to complete unlike other bugs.
• Bed bugs live in both hygienic and unsanitary conditions: Hygiene condition of a place is not a determinant of the habitat of bed bugs. They basically seek places with more population dirty or not.
• Bed bugs do not transmit disease: The system of bed bugs are not wired to house human pathogens and so viruses, bacteria and protozoans cannot be transmitted to humans from the bed bug because there is no reproduction of the pathogens.
• Bed Bugs cannot fly: Bed bugs are wingless and are incapable of flying. They are only able to crawl at an average speed of 1m/min. Although their female adults develop wing pads at a later stage, they cannot fly nonetheless.
• Bed Bugs cannot live up to a year without a meal: Bed bugs are only able to live up to three months without feeding on blood. However, they are coldblooded and can go into hibernation for up to a long time without food.
• Bed Bugs Feed at Anytime: Contrary to popular believe, bed bugs do not feed only at night. They feed whenever they feel the urge to, including during the day. It is therefore very unlikely that lights would keep them away from you.
• Bed bugs are not carried by human body: Bed bugs barely survive temperatures above 40°C and would keep away from heat for as long as possible. Therefore, the chances they are carried from place to place by humans is very slim, instead, they prefer being transported by furniture, equipment and clothes.
• Bed Bugs do not only live in mattresses, but also in furniture, walls, holes, window frames and joints in wooden fixtures.
• Insecticides do not eliminate Bed Bugs: Bed bugs have over the years built resistance to DDT, a major ingredient in insecticides, and therefore DDT cannot effectively kill the bed bug. Fortunately, Nature’s MACE Bed Bug Killer does not contain DDT but all natural, organic and non toxic ingredient and is highly effective in eliminating bed bugs. Nature’s MACE is Eco-friendly and environmentally safe for use in eliminating bed bugs at any stage of its cycle.