Bed bugs are round, flat, reddish-brown parasites about  1/4” long that feed on blood from humans and certain animals. Bed bugs typically feed while the host is asleep (commonly between 2:00-6:00 am) by inserting a long, sharp proboscis into the victim’s skin. They then become engorged with blood in about 10 minutes which may fill them up for days, weeks, or even months. Bed bugs have the ability to live for up to 6 months between blood meals, complicating potential treatment efforts. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, moisture, and the carbon dioxide released from warm-blooded animals. Although bed bugs have not specifically been proven to be transmitters of any certain diseases, many instances of skin irritations, rashes, and infections have been documented in association with bed bug bites.