BED bugs are the universally despised bloodsucking blighters that ruin your night's sleep if you are unfortunate enough to suffer an infestation.
But how do our four-legged friends fare with bed bugs and do they get bitten?
Do bed bugs bite dogs?
Yes, bed bugs do bite dogs.
Although they prefer to feed on humans, they can bite pretty much any animal, including cats, dogs, birds and rodents.
While dogs are not a major host of bed bugs, if your pet has been bitten it's likely they're lurking nearby.
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Getting rid of the beasts from your furniture and carpets is only half, treating bedding - including your pet's is also key, as they also may be infested with the pests.
How do you get bed bugs?
Stuart Halliday, 42, owner of Kill and Cure Pest Control, says peak travel times — like summer — are the most common periods for bed bugs to latch on to clothes, beds and belongings.
They are usually carried into the home before multiplying and causing an infestation.
Stuart told The Sun: “This [summer] is the exact time people pick up bed bugs, right around this time.
“During this time everyone's going to be jetting off to different countries — Spain, Greece and places like that.
“Whether it's a hotel, a B&B or a hostel, if you’re not careful you’re gonna bring them all home with you.”
But the tiny insects don't need to journey from abroad to overrun your home — they can come from infested areas or used furniture.
They are able to travel around from place to place by hitching a ride on luggage, handbags, backpacks and clothes — as well as being able to travel between rooms.
Bed bugs can get into your bed by already being in the bedroom and climbing up on to your bed frame, or they can be transferred from you, your clothing or possessions.
They hop on to people’s belongings and sit tight until they find beds, clothes or furniture to live and breed on.
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The insects are pros at surviving and can live for up to a year without any food.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs are small insects from the genus Climex that feed on blood and often live on furniture or bedding.
They are typically brown, dark yellow or red in colour, flat and oval-shaped.
The adult insects are small — around the size of an apple seed.
Although their bites can be itchy and lead to skin rashes, they do not usually cause serious health problems.
Bed bug bites are red in colour.
If you notice spots on your body when you wake up in the morning, it could be a good indicator the bugs are lurking between your bedsheets.
Expert Nic Shacklock said: "The bites will often form a straight line across a part of your body — this is a hallmark bedbug trait."
Thankfully bed bugs are not dangerous, but they can cause extreme discomfort and stress if you are bitten by them.
Baby bed bugs, known as nymphs, shed their skin five times before reaching adulthood and need a blood meal before every shedding.
If you are suffering from bed bug bites then you need to act immediately to get rid of the little critters.
The insects are adverse to extreme hot and cold temperatures, so you can use treatments such as steamer to try to eradicate them from your home.
Bedding should be washed at a high temperature.
If the bugs persist then it may be time to call in pest control.
