Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a wingless insect that feed off of the blood of humans and other mammals. They are 1/4 inch in length with a flattened oval shape and they are rusty brown in color.

Bed bugs may be found in homes, movie theaters, transportation depots, and restrooms, but are being seen more and more in apartments, hotels, homes, shelters, dormitories and nursing homes. Anyone who comes in direct contact with bed bugs can carry them into their homes because they are easily transported through clothing, second-hand furniture or bedding, suitcases, boxes or even hair.

Bed Bugs cause red itchy welts on the skin through bed bug “bites”. Bed bug “bites” occur when the bed bug is actually drawing blood. It may take as long as 14 days for a welt to appear. For the most part, bed bugs only feed in the dark. During the day, they hide in dark cracks or crevices.

Click on the links below to learn more about Bed Bugs and Bed Bug pervention.

Franklin County Board of Health "What You Need to Know About Bed Bugs" Brochure

National Geographic video on youtube about Beg Bugs

The University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture article about Bed Bugs

Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet on Bed Bugs

Columbus Dispatch article "Central Ohio agencies link up to battle bedbugs" Oct 30,2008