Bed Bug Basics
All members of the bed bug family feed on the blood of birds or mammals. The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, attacks man, as does the Eastern bat bed bug, Cimex adjunctus. Other species exist that attack bats, pigeons, and rodents. Bed bugs are active only at night, usually just before dawn. During the day, they hide in cracks and crevices in walls, floors, beds, and furniture. When only a few bed bugs are present, they live close to human sleeping areas; when numerous, they can be found in many rooms of the house. A characteristic “bed bug odor” is frequently present in a home infested with bed bugs.
When choosing a pest control company, make sure the company meets all the legal requirements that qualifies them to service your home, including a Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator Certification or Registered Technician card, a business license and general liability insurance coverage. Also ask for a list of local references so you can learn about their past performance in treating bed bugs.
This publication is supported, in part, with funding from the Northeastern IPM Center (NortheastIPM.org) and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.
Bed bug infestations are increasingly common in our cities. There are steps that can be taken to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home. When bed bugs are present, they can be safely controlled.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) Office of Pesticide Services (OPS), thru a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, has undertaken an outreach and education project to provide information regarding Bed Bugs.
Michigan State: Once just a distant memory or a reference in a popular bedtime phrase, Bed Bugs are real, and are making a comeback in the United States.
The recent resurgence of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), in the United States, Canada, Australia, and some European countries triggered strong interests among researchers and the pest control industry to investigate effective bed bug management tactics (Cooper 2006, Gangloff- Kaufmann et al. 2006, Harlan 2006,Doggett 2007). Bed bug infestations often go unnoticed until becoming a serious problem.
Many people suffer from the feeling that insects, mites, or other tiny creatures known as arthropods are biting them, crawling on them, or burrowing in their skin.
The first edition of the ‘Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia’ (CoP) was produced in response to the re-emergence of bed bugs as a common public health pest.
Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, have resurged to quickly become a very important pest of the 21st century, as they invade numerous urban areas including hostels, hotels and residences. Our society has had a “30+ year vacation” from this pest, when bed bugs were almost removed from North America as a result of mass treatments with older types of insecticides (DDT, Chlordane, Lindane). Recently though, bed bugs have found ample opportunity to increase in number and spread through society. Their success is a result of: increased travel of people; improved treatment methods that specifically target other insect pests; and the lack of public awareness.
Bed bugs can be a real problem in multiple family apartments, but if you understand them, their habits and how to control them, they can be defeated. You are not alone. Anyone can have bed bugs. They do not discriminate between rich or poor, young or old. Bed bugs can be controlled, but control requires professional assistance and the cooperation of all involved.
Bed bugs mostly troubled rich people in medieval times, because they had the warmest homes. But as the quality of homes improved during the late sixteenth century, bed bugs became a problem for people of all economic classes. Before World War II, they were a common pest in the U.S. until a combination of factors including DDT, a household appliance, and fashion nearly eliminated them
Welcome to the Department of Medical Entomology, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Bed Bug web site. Bed Bugs during the early part of the 21st Century have undergone a massive resurgence and there has been a notable lack of quality information available on this re-emerging public health pest. This web site is thus dedicated to the management of Bed Bugs. Just click on the buttons to the left to access the information.
Bed bugs are parasites that preferentially feed on humans. If people aren't available, they instead will feed on other warm-blooded animals, including birds, rodents, bats, and pets.
Cornell University IPM Program
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Most householders of this generation have never seen a bed bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity among pest control professionals.
Bed bugs are making a comeback, big-time, and can be found just about anywhere; from warming shelters to four star hotel rooms. No one really knows why they have returned, but these little bugs are determined to stick around. Although bed bugs are tiny they can cause major headaches because they’re so difficult to find. Use the tips below to help control this stubborn pest.
Recently, Michigan and other states have seen an increased number of bed bug infestations plaguing residents. As bed bugs infest more and more homes, they may find their way into schools. When this happens, the school needs to take proactive action to prevent infestation and stop them from spreading in the school setting.
In 16th Century Europe, bed bugs mostly troubled rich people, as they had the warmest homes. But as the quality of homes improved in the developed world, bedbugs became a problem for people of all economic classes. Before World War II, they were a common pest in the U.S. until a combination of factors including DDT, and the wide-spread use of the vacuum nearly eliminated them.
Call several companies. Introduce yourself and explain your interest in safer, more effective bed bug control through Integrated Pest Management. It is important to shop around—not all pest control companies are the same; make sure you spend the time to find the right company. Don’t just go with the lowest bid—make sure you hire a company that will really treat the problem. This may not mean the company that is the cheapest, but it will save you time, and even money, to treat it properly the first time.
Bed bugs have become a serious issue for many New Yorkers, especially those least equipped to deal with them. The spread of bed bug infestations is a burden on the resources of New York City residents, property owners and health and social services providers in both the public and private sector.
Bed bugs do not like living in a school or childcare facility. They prefer to be in structures where people sleep at night. The main concern for these spaces is the transfer of bed bugs from child to child, child to structure, structure to staff, etc.
Pest Management Fact sheets on Bed Bugs. Bed bugs are making a comeback in the U.S. for several reasons. Some factors include increased international travel, increased popularity of thrift shops, yard sales, and buying used furniture. Also, the practice of using specific household pest control tactics, and crowded living conditions in certain apartment complexes and neighborhoods has added to the problem.
“A Strenuous Struggle, a vigorous campaign, is before any housewife who is called upon to dispute the occupancy of her home with that persistent pest unfavorably known as the bedbug, who, gorged with the blood of his victim, lieth up in his lair from daylight to candlelight, only to swoop down upon his helpless sleeping prey during the midnight watches.” –C. L. Marlatt, The Bedbug, 1916.
Our goal is to maintain a high quality living environment for you. It is important that we work together to prevent the infestation of bed bugs. While the presence of bed bugs is not always related to cleanliness or housekeeping, good housekeeping will help control the problem. This addendum contains important information for you and sets forth responsibilities for both of us.
This summer, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky surveyed a nationwide sample of pest management professionals. This summary features the latest findings about the growing bed bug resurgence and references data from the 2010 Bugs Without Borders survey for year-‐over-‐year comparisons.
Bed bugs are making a comeback in apartment buildings, dorm rooms, hotels, hospitals and homes. Why now? Both people and the things they buy are traveling greater distances more frequently, causing hitchhiking bedbugs to spread more rapidly. Follow the steps below to learn how to identify, prevent, and control them safely and effectively.
By nature, bed bugs are stow-a-ways. They enter homes or apartments by hiding out in the cracks and crevices of luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes and other objects when they are moved between apartments, homes and hotels. Bed bugs hide during the day and typically feed at night.
From the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene : Bed bug infestations are increasingly common. This website offers information in many different areas as to how to identify bedbugs, how to get rid of them, prevention and many more.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. EPA, CDC, or ATSDR. The presenters have made every effort to verify the accuracy and appropriateness of the information provided.
