Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, known scientifically as Cimex lectularius, and your bed could be full of them. The pests can be hard to spot as they only come out at night - but itchy bite marks all over your skin could be a good sign.
The pests are typically reddish-brown in color and have flat, oval-shaped bodies. They hide during the day in various places such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, and cracks and crevices near sleeping areas. Despite their name, they can be found not only in beds but also in upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets, and even behind peeling wallpaper.
The primary source of food for bed bugs is blood. They usually bite exposed areas of skin while their host is asleep, injecting an anticoagulant to ensure that the blood flows freely as they feed. Bed bug bites are typically painless at first but may develop into itchy welts or red bumps on the skin.
