Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Tiny insects that feed on human blood, bed bugs usually spring into action at night when people are fast asleep. Grown-up bed bugs have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies. With the size of an apple seed, they are big enough to be easily seen, but make people's job difficult by often hiding in cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. When bed bugs feed, their bodies swell and become a brighter red color. Bed bugs can survive several months without any food or water. As many people have experienced, most bed bug bites are initially painless, but later become big, itchy skin welts. One reassuring piece of information is that in spite of being a nuisance, bed bugs are not known to spread disease.

More often than not, people carry bed bugs into their homes without their knowledge, in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, or clothing. These small insects may also travel between apartments through small crevices and cracks in walls and floors. You can know that your home has become infested with bed bugs when you notice itchy skin welts. You may also see the insects themselves, small bloodstains from crushed bed bugs, or dark spots from their droppings. However, it is rather difficult to see them because they hide in or near beds, other furniture, and in cracks.

If you want to get rid of this bed bug menace, you should appoint pest control professionals licensed by your state's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The pest control company should inspect your home to confirm the presence of bed bugs; locate and eliminate their hiding places; treat your home with special cleaning and/or pesticides if required; make return visits to ensure sure bed bugs are gone. Make it a point to hire only a licensed exterminator. You should ask to see a copy of the license or check directly with DEC.

The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to clean, disinfect and eliminate their hideouts. Since bed bugs can live for several months without food and water, pest control professionals may prefer to use a pesticide. You should consult with the professional about safe use of pesticides and make sure he or she applies the least toxic pesticide; follows instructions and warnings on product labels; advises you about staying out of treated rooms and when it is safe to reenter; treats mattresses and sofas by applying small amounts of pesticides on seams only. Pesticides should in no case be sprayed on top of mattresses or sofas.

More often than not, travelers have to encounter bed bugs during their stays away from home. If signs of bed bugs were observed or suspected, chances are that you may have transported bed bugs or their eggs in your luggage and other personal effects without your knowledge. If this is the case, clothing should be laundered in a manner to kill bugs and their eggs before or as soon as these items are brought back into your home. Suitcases should be carefully inspected, scrubbed with a stiff brush, and thoroughly vacuumed. Another simple way is to leave such luggage for several hours in a closed vehicle in full summer sun. The process will usually ensure that your items stay bug free.