Infestations of Bed Bugs are on the increase...

Human bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are found throughout the world and are significantly increasing in numbers in North America as well as in many other countries.  Even though we do not understand fully all of the reasons behind this increase, we suspect possible contributing factors such as a reduction in the use of urban pesticides, the more extensive world travel of different cultures and resistance to pesticides.  This sudden increase in bed bug infestations has resulted in anxiety among the public, increased negative exposure of the hotel industry and a need to educate public health officials and pest control professionals on safe and effective control measures.

To complicate matters, there is a small group of related blood sucking bugs in the family Cimicidae including bat bugs and swallow bugs that can be confused with human bed bugs.  It is important to identify the species of bed bug because due to their different habits, proper identification determines where to direct controls to be most effective. For example, bat bugs (Cimex pilosellus) look similar to human bed bugs but control efforts must involve elimination of bats from a structure to be effective.

During the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of bed bug infestations reported from homes, resort hotels, apartments, universities and cruise ships. Over time, as society becomes more experienced in recognizing bed bug infestations early and professional pest control companies gain expertise in control, bed bug infestations in communities should decline.  This web site is intended to assist you to prevent infestations, understand the identification of bed bugs, recognize the symptoms of bed bug bites, and learn how to get rid of bed bugs if your dwelling becomes infested.

Question: Can I bring bed bugs home on my shoes?

Answer: Unlikely, bed bugs are active at night, during the day they are hiding in cracks and crevices. Bed bugs are more likely to be spread via pillows, mattresses, bed linen and bedroom furniture.

Question: Can cold kill bed bugs?

Answer: Yes, although the temperature must drop fast, stay below freezing for several days and the bed bugs must not be too deep inside insulated objects.

Question: How can I determine if my bites are caused by bed bugs?

Answer: Itchy bites can be caused by mites, mosquitoes, fleas and lice. To be absolutely sure, you need to collect a bed bug specimen and have it identified by an expert.

Question: How do you kill bed bug eggs?  Do all these spray on products work?

Answer: Most insect eggs are safe inside a shell or chorion which protects them from pesticides.  Bed bug eggs hatch in about one to three weeks depending upon the temperature.  This would mean a follow up inspection after three weeks would be a good idea.  Most residual pesticides last for one month; so theoretically, there should be pesticide still active to kill bed bug nymphs as soon as they hatch from eggs.