Bed bugs are characterized by incomplete metamorphosis (egg-nymph-agglomeration). The female deposits an average of 1-5 eggs per day of 1mm size, singly, in crevices. During its lifetime, which can last from a few weeks to about 12 months, it lays an average of 200 eggs. The eggs hatch in about a week at a temperature of 25 ᴼC . The development time from the egg stage to maturity is 21 days at a temperature of 30 ᴼC and 120 days at a temperature of 18 ᴼC .
Thrushes are necessary to suck blood and can survive without food for several months, remaining inactive in their hiding places from which they exit with the appearance of the hosts in the immediate environment and mainly in the evening hours with their maximum activity just before dawn. They are short-meal parasites that visit hosts that are dormant during sleep and are attracted to the carbon dioxide released by the potential host. After each bloodsucking from the posterior part of their intestinal tract they excrete black hemoglobin residues. Black spots along the seams of a light-colored mattress or on a wall or wallpaper are usually indicative of bed bugs. In addition, their presence is felt by a characteristic odor that they emit from special glands, which is particularly noticeable in poorly ventilated areas.
As with all insect infestations affecting Public Health, with bed bugs an important point remains the inspection of the area for signs of their activity. Bed bugs, eggs and droppings are small and may go unnoticed. That is why a careful and thorough inspection using an electric and a magnifying glass is needed. Part of the inspection is moving seats beds, nightstands and lamps and lifting carpets around the perimeter.
