Everyone Is Afraid of Bedbugs, but No One Knows What They Look Like.
Bed bugs are some of the worst pests out there. They suck your blood, move easily from place to place, and are difficult to kill . But do you know what they really look like? It turns out that most people don’t.
In a recent study published in the journal American Entomologist , more than 2,000 travelers were interviewed using a “64-item questionnaire, of which 15 questions directly related to traveler awareness, experience and attitudes towards bed bugs.” Most of the participants stated that they considered the threat of bed bugs when they stayed in hotels, and many said they were somewhat concerned about them. But when asked to identify bedbugs by their shape (their most revealing feature), more than two-thirds of those surveyed were unable to do so. The bed bug was part of a line of silhouettes that also included ant, termite, louse, and mite. See if you can spot a bed bug here:
If you said number four, you’re right! This is a bed bug. According to the EPA , other identifying factors include:
- They are about the size of an apple seed (5-7 mm or 3/16 to 1/4 inches long).
- They are long and brown, with a flat oval body (if they haven’t been feeding recently).
- But they are ball-shaped, reddish-brown and more elongated (if fed recently).
- They look like a “real beetle,” meaning they have a three-segment beak, a four-piece antenna, wings that are not used for flight, and short golden hair.
- And they smell. It is a “sweet-musty” odor produced by glands in the lower body.
Why is it important to know how to recognize them? First, knowing the difference between an ant and a bed bug can keep you from sucking blood, which could ruin your trip. In addition, detecting them will help you avoid taking some unwanted guests home. These little guys can hitchhike anywhere. But knowing how to spot bedbugs is also helpful for where you are staying. False reports can cost owners a lot of money because they have to send professional pest control services to investigate. And many people leave harsh reviews about hotels where, in their opinion, they have seen bed bugs, even if this is not entirely true. Online reviews and reports that mention bed bugs lead most travelers to choose a different hotel, according to researchers.
So, when you stay at a hotel, be sure to check the room thoroughly , especially the bedding and the area around the bed; keep luggage and clothing off the floor and bed; and consider packing empty trash bags in your luggage to store your belongings there during your stay. And if you see anything, at least make sure you really know what bed bugs look like before screaming down the hallway.