Bed Bug Facts:
Click here to download a pdf version of Bed Bugs fact sheet.
What are bed bugs?
- Bed bugs are small oval, flat, reddish-brown insects. They are 5 millimetres long (1/4 inch).
- Bed bugs bite at night to get a blood meal.
How are bed bugs spread?
- Bed bugs can be carried into a home on clothing, suitcases, bedding, mattresses and furniture.
- Bed bugs hide in small places, therefore, inspections and treatment must be very thorough.
- In the home, some places they hide are:
- in mattresses or box spring seams,
- in tufts or crevices of mattresses,
- behind baseboards,
- under loose wallpaper,
- in couches, or
- in cracks and crevices in walls, floors or furniture
- They may hide during the day and come out at night.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Bed bugs are not associated with transmitting human diseases.
- You may notice small blood spots on bedding or reddish, itchy bites on arms or upper body.
- Bed bugs can survive up to one year without feeding.
- They have been known to survive freezing.
How are bed bugs treated?
- Bed bugs can be eliminated by using pesticides containing propoxur, permethrin, pyrethrin or diatomaceous earth.
- If you are a renter, contact your landlord to arrange for a licenced exterminator to treat your dwelling.
- It may take a number of days for the bed bugs to be eliminated.
How are bed bugs prevented?
- Ensure any used furniture, mattresses or bedding you purchase are free of bed bugs.
- Launder any clothing that you think may have been in contact with items that may contain bedbugs.
For more information contact:
Environmental Public Health Department
Population and Public Health
#101-310 Idylwyld Drive North
Saskatoon SK S7L 0Z2
Phone: 306-655-4605
Recommended Website: Pesticides and Pest Management-Health Canada
Bed Bug Information for Schools:
Information for Schools (from Michigan Bed Bugs Working Group)
