Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects that bite exposed skin during the night. They inhabit homes, hotels and other types of accommodation.

While bed bugs have become a major issue recently, many households do not even know what these pests look like.

New data revealed in a YouGov survey have unveiled a rather disturbing truth, that only 16 percent of Britons would definitely know what a bed bug was if they saw one – meaning a substantial 84 percent of the nation is unaware. 

In response to this alarming data, the experts at Happy Beds have revealed what they look like as well as how they’re different to fleas and ticks which they’re commonly misidentified as. 

They’ve then shared five other signs that suggest Britons have bed bugs in their home.

What does a bed bug look like?

A bed bug is a small, reddish-brown insect about the “size of an apple seed”.

They have a flat, oval-shaped body and are wingless. In terms of size, young bed bugs are smaller – around one to 3mm – and are so light in colour that may even appear to be translucent. 

However, as they feed on blood, they become more elongated and redder in colour. 

But what makes them “distinctive” are their antennas and the fact “they always have six legs”.

What do ticks and fleas look like?

Comparatively, ticks have a flattened, teardrop-shaped body which is broader in the front and narrower towards the rear. 

They’re also typically larger than bed bugs – growing up to 10mm in length. However, what makes them “most distinctive” is their eight legs as they are arachnids, not insects. 

Whilst fleas also have a flattened body, they are “considerably smaller than bed bugs and ticks”, typically measuring around one to 4mm. 

They also have six legs, the same as bed bugs, but their “most distinctive feature” is their powerful hind legs that help them jump. 

In addition to knowing the difference between a bed bug and a tick or flea, there are five other indicators that households have a bed bug infestation.

These include physical reactions to bed bug bites, spots of blood on your bedding or mattress, brown spots on your bedding or mattress, a musty odour in your bedroom or empty eggs or shell casings on your bed.

For those who suspect a bed bug infestation based on these signs, it’s advisable to seek professional pest control assistance promptly to address the issue effectively and prevent it from worsening. 

However, given that they’re in demand at the moment, Express.co.uk has shared some solutions to bed bug invasions.

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Post source: Express