The Bed Bugs Dilemma (2)

Bed bugs feed on their hosts by piercing the human skin with long beak, which they use to suck the blood. Much like fleas and mosquitoes, their bodies become engorged in three to ten minutes without the victim noticing. Perhaps it is their patience in getting the blood meal that makes it hard for human to realize what is happening to them.

A major concern is the possibility of transmitting disease. There has been no documented case of a disease passed on by bed bugs so it is dismissed by science. The extent of their damage to their hosts is limited to itchiness and swelling from their bites.

The real problem on bed bugs is infestation. They can produce three generations in a year. Female bed bugs place their eggs in very secluded areas like the folds in the mattress, and deposits eggs of up to five a day. Because of this their numbers continue to grow without the human’s knowledge. Soon they spread around the house and an infestation occurs. These infestations can cause anxiety and loss of sleep.

How do you know if your bed is infested with bed bugs? Answer three simple questions to find out:

· Do you wake up to find an itchy and swelling welt on your neck, face, arms, shoulders, etc when you had none before sleeping?
· Does your mattress have dark stains and spotting?
· Do you wake up to see small reddish brown spots on the sheets, pillowcases or walls?

If you answered, “yes” to two out of three questions above, then it is likely that you are lying in a mattress full of bed bugs.

The best way to get rid of them is to throw away your mattress. Bed bugs can live in wait for a long period of time so even if you try to wash it, they may resurface. Using pesticides on the bed can be dangerous for the owner. So only a new mattress is the solution.

Eliminating and entire home for bed bugs can be tedious. So if you can afford it, make sure you get your home pre-treated against these parasites. And since these insects also live in carpets and sofas, the best defense is prevention.

The Bed Bugs Dilemma (1)

Under everyone’s mattress hides parasites. Bed bugs are one of the most common insects in America. However it is only in the recent years that bed bugs are categorized as pests. With increase of immigrant and travelers from different places, bed bugs thrive in hotels, restaurants, shelters, homes, apartments and motels.

What are bed bugs? These are tiny, brown, flattened insects that feed on an animal’s blood. There are certain types of bed bugs that have a preference for humans. The common one, classified as Cimex lectularius, found in our homes is the insect adapted to living with humans.

Bed bugs can be mistaken for ticks in their adult stage. They do not fly like cockroaches but they are agile and can move really fast over walls, floors and other types of surfaces. What makes them a pest is that bed bugs are very resilient. They can live without food (blood) from their host for up to a year. This means these parasites can lie dormant, just waiting for an unsuspecting victim to arrive.

The bed bug’s nocturnal behavior makes it hard for people to identify if they have one on their furniture. Eliminating them is also a problem. If people cannot see where the bed bugs are, it can be hard to determine if they were all killed when pesticide is applied.

Bed bugs are great hiders and usually come out to feed on a blood meal in the middle of the night. It is not confirmed if bed bugs are aware that their hosts are asleep when they feed. But their habits suggest that they can more or less sense if the host is in a relaxed state.

Symptoms of being bitten by bed bugs are different from one person to another. There are people who have no reaction to bites from these bed bugs. Some experience an itchy, swelling bump on the skin where the bed bugs had their fill. Others have leave inflamed welt marks on their victims.

All About Bed Bugs (2)

-- Feeding habits of bed bugs

Bed bugs can live more than a year without feeding. But when a host is present, they feed regularly every five to ten days.

Although bed bugs may attempt to feed on human blood anytime of the day, they are generally active and feed only at night. An hour before dawn is bed bugs peak attack.

Bed bugs, like any other insect that feed on human blood such as leeches, inject  anesthetics on the skin of their hosts so that piercing and blood sucking won't be felt by the human host.

This is made possible with the two hollow tube of bed bugs. One of their hollow tube releases saliva that contains an anticoagulant and anesthetics while the other tube withdraws the blood. 

Bed bugs feed for about five minutes and immediately return to their hiding place such as the bed matresses and pillows.

-- Health effects of bed bugs bite on humans

Unlike other blood sucking insects such as mosquitoes that carries Malaria and Dengue Fever (Yellow Fever), bed bugs are not known to have to cause transmission of any diseases that are transmitted through blood, such as Hepatitis B, HIV, and other diseases.

They are not regarded by scientists as a medical threat, although they may cause severe itching and skin marks on the bitten part of the skin. Skin infections and scars may precipitate due to scratching a bitten part and this may require medical attention by a dermatologist.

A calamine lotion may subside redness and itch of the bitten part. Wash with warm water and germicidal soap first before you apply a calamine lotion.

All About Bed Bugs (1)

Bed bugs are rarely seen these days because of the widespread use of DDT during the 1940's and 50's to exterminate all sorts of pests in the United States. However, bed bugs are making a comeback. Hotels and motels are among the places that suffer from bed bugs infestation.

According to studies, bed bugs' comeback may be attributed to international travelling of Americans to countries with bed bugs infestation on hotels and motels and the immigration to the States by people from countries with bed bugs infestation.

You will not be even sure if your own household is bed bugs free. If you haven't seen one but suspects that a bed bug hitched on your clothes and has started a colony on your home, try to know the basic things about bed bugs so that you would know if you need to treat your home from infestation.

-- Genera and species of bed bugs

Bed bugs are small, brownish in color, flat, nocturnal insects. Bed bugs belong to the family Cimicidae that live by feeding on human and animal blood.

Bed bugs with scientific name Cimex lectularius are the common household bed bugs. They are the species of bed bugs that feed on humans and have adapted to human environments. These type of bed bugs are found in temperate climates. Believe it our not, they are the same bed bugs that torment people from the ancient times.

There are other bed bugs species such as Cimex hemipterus which are found in tropical regions like Florida. These type of bed bugs also infests poultry and bats. Another bed bugs species, the Leptocimex boueti which are found in the tropics of South America and West Africa infest not just humans but bats as well. Bed bugs species with scientific namen Cimex pilosellus and C. pipistrella primarily infest bats. A bed bug species of North America, the Haematosiphon inodora, primarily infests poultry.

-- Physical characteristics of bed bugs

Adult bed bugs are small, oval, flattened, reddish brown, and wingless. Many people think that bed bugs are so small and move so quick that they are not anymore visible to the naked eye. Adult bed bugs grow to 4 to 5 mm in length and although they move fast, they are not as fast as other perceive them to be. People do not see bed bugs because bed bugs stay still on bed, sofa or matress crevices and bite people only when they are still (such as when we are sleeping).

Newly hatched bed bugs nymphs are translucent. Their color become become browner as they reach maturity. Their size are often compared to appleseeds.

Bed Bugs: Your Unlikely Room Mate (2)

Habitat

Bed bugs normally thrive in dark spots or areas in the house. Part of their protective instinct is that they live inside crevices and dark and miniscule holes where they can not easily be detected or killed.

Bed bugs can also live in beds, beneath them, underneath them or inside them. They can remain undetected during daytime. But surely, they go out and hunt for food during night time.

Bed bugs may appear smart because they know when to attack prospective hosts--- when they are asleep.

When bed bugs bite, they normally do not produce stinging sensation. Hence, the victim will only know that he or she has been bitten after a day or two, when the skin reacts to the saliva left by the bed bugs into the affected area.

The bitten skin may itch and appear reddish. Sometimes, it is also hard to distinguish bed bug bites from the usual mosquito bites.

Control of bed bugs

Bed bugs are hard to control. There are a lot of pesticides that can kill the parasite, but it is advisable that you consult a pest control expert to control and exterminate bed bugs.

There a lot of harmful pesticides that can surely kill bed bugs. But the catch is, these pesticides can be really dangerous and harmful, not just to you and your other housemates, but also to your neighbors.

You may not want to exterminate yourself and your loved ones along with bed bugs, right?

Contact the local pest control operators in your locality. If you are renting an apartment, it is the duty of the land lord to arrange for the necessary pest control to get rid of bed bugs.

Bed Bugs: Your Unlikely Room Mate (1)

Have you ever feel like you were not alone in your room, although there is no one else there beside you?

Have you ever experienced being alone in your room in the middle of the night, hence, you feel, and you are certain that there are other beings there with you?

You are not about to read another scary story. Or if you think you will be reading perverted things here, no, you are wrong.

You should check on your room, especially your bed. You may have unwanted room mates, or worse bed mates. Do not be scared. The unlikely being referred here is the insect commonly called bed bugs.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bug is one among the millions of species of the insect world. Scientifically, common bed bugs are known as Cimex lectularius.

Experts and professionals claim that the existence of bed bugs had been controlled in the United States in the 70s and 80s. However, due to persistence and survival of bed bugs in Asia, Europe and in Africa, travelers may have carried along the parasites during travel and migration to the country.

Bed bugs are wingless insects. They are parasites that feed primarily on the blood of warm-blooded victims such as animals and human. The belief that bed bugs only bite humans is wrong. Your pets can also be host to the parasite.

Birds, dogs, cats, in short, every mammal that can come into contact with the infested bed or surroundings can be affected by bed bugs.

Bed bugs are so tiny, that one can hardly see it. The biggest bed bugs, however, during their final stage of maturity can reach about 25% of an inch long. Usually, bed bugs are oval-shaped and they appear flattened when viewed from top to bottom.

Bed bugs are usually colored deep brown or cream to white. There are also bed bugs that appear burnt orange in color.

Life span

After feeding blood, bed bugs may look like black insects or dark red. That indicates that the bed bug has already stored food inside its body. Once it has fed from its prey, or host, bed bugs usually last until about more than a year before it needs further feeding.

Adult bed bugs can last more than a year without sucking blood. It is different for younger or baby bed bugs. They can last only a few months, or even a few months without food, that is, blood.

Hence, even if a bed infested with bed bugs remains vacant or unoccupied for how many months, chances are the bed bugs still exist there.

Bed bugs on the average life span, needs about three to four replenishments or feeding sessions before it lay eggs and completes its life span.

Bugged By The Bugs (2)

Bite Me

People in deep slumber are normally the prime targets of bed bugs. A person who is being bitten may not even notice that he has become dinner for the bed bug, as engorgement normally lasts for around three minutes or even less than a minute. Bite scars result in a red welt or slight swelling of the skin.

People that travel frequently, do not regularly clean their beds or use pre-owned beds should be concerned that they will be eventually attacked. However, bed bugs are not considered a serious disease threat, as there is only a small chance that they can transmit any harmful virus to humans. Those that want to prevent complications from bed bug bites should spread antibiotic cream or antiseptic to the infected area of the body.

In addition, it is best not to scratch the infected area. Similar to mosquito bites, scratching only makes the infection worse.

Control ‘em bugs

The proliferation of bed bugs has been a problem for many centuries. The length of time they have been causing headaches indicate that the perfect way control them has yet to be developed. It is wise for a person with a bed bug issue to hire a professional pest control group to help solve his dilemma.

Those with a long experience in the pest industry should know where bed bugs settle. To assist the pest solvers, clients should at least clean their surroundings from excess clutter. The inspectors could be forced to look in nearby rooms, as bed bugs have the ability to disperse in different areas of a building.

Dispose the bed

The bed is normally the main breeding ground of bugs. If a bed has holes and tears it is likely that these contain eggs inside or out. Pest control companies normally advise their clients to dispose the beds that are heavily infested or in poor shape.

Bed bugs do not choose what type of bed they will settle, as they put more importance on the warm blooded person occupying it for an extended period of time. Bed bugs can even settle in sleeping bags, egg foam, or even stacks cardboard on the floor. Any place where people sleep is always the perfect area for bed bugs to roam. Water beds are also included, as these have nooks and crannies and are often warm, which is the preferred temperature of these insects.

Despite various alternatives to control bed bugs, it is safe to say they are here to stay. Possibly, the best way not to become a bed bug victim is by putting a premium on good hygiene and cleanliness.

Bugged By The Bugs (1)

The notoriety of bed bugs show that vampires are not the only popular blood suckers in society. Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, bed bugs are tiny, brownish flat-like insects that operate mostly during nighttime. During the day bed bugs prefer to situate themselves in areas people normally sleep on. Their small bodies enable them to fit in the narrowest of spaces, especially those related with headboards, box springs and mattresses. Unlike ants or bees, bed bugs do not congregate in a single area.

The problems on bed bugs are even documented in writings about medieval Europe and classical Greek during the time of Aristotle. Bed bugs were already known to feast on wild hosts mainly birds and bats.

Bed bugs were a big problem especially before World War II due to the poor focus on cleanliness and proper hygiene. However, the bugs nearly vanished in the 1940’s and 1950’s because of the widespread use of various pesticides. However, less effective pesticides and reforms in pest control methods enabled these creatures to make a comeback and again become a pest in society.

The Big Bugs

The adult bed bugs are normally mistaken as ticks or cockroaches, as they are approximately ¼ inch in length with flat and hard bodies. These insects can move swiftly in floors, ceiling, walls and other surfaces but cannot fly. The female bed bugs can lay as many as 500 eggs during their lifespan and choose secluded areas to make their move.

When the eggs hatch, the baby bugs or nymphs can fully develop as fast as a month. Cool areas or where there is no access to blood will prolong the development time. The nymphs can live for several months without feasting, while the adults can last for around a year.

Die Bed Bugs Die

Die Bed Bugs Die. Getting rid of bed bugs has been a problem documented as early as medieval times in Europe or during the time of Aristotle in Greece. Often attacking when one is fast asleep, bed bugs are smart creatures that choose to move when the target least knows it. Every person will have his own version of a bed bug story and most likely it will be bad.

Bed bugs are scientifically known as “Cimex lectularius”, they are wingless with a brownish ultra thin body. Various studies indicate these creatures originated from Asia but now can be seen in all parts of the world. Bed bugs thrive in areas with a warm and dry climate but they have been able to invade the northern regions because of the proliferation of heated buildings.

The adult bed bug is ¼ to 3/8 in length when it is unfed but its size will expand considerably after a hearty meal. A starving bed bug looks far more different compared to one that is well fed. Young bed bugs or nymphs resemble the adults but have a yellowish color after molting. A nymph can develop into a fully grown bed bug for as fast as one month depending on how much it is able to eat.

When they become a pest

Bed bugs start to become a problem when they become hungry for blood. They typically stay in their homes in between meals and are only forced to go out if they are starving. The warmth of a nearby body is what attracts them but they cannot detect a food source that is around 5-10cm away.

Bed bugs use their highly developed mouthparts to bite and suck blood from the skin of an unsuspecting person. Engorgement time can last as long as seven minutes or as short as one minute. An adult bed bug can absorb around seven times of its own body weight in blood. The bed bug immediately retreats to its hiding place after feasting and then lays eggs again.

A person will only realize that he has been bitten by a bed bug once he discovers the large wheals in the affected part of the body. These wheals eventually develop into a tiny read mark that will stay for at least two to three days.

Bed bug bites can also be distinguished by the orderly way the wheals are formed, unlike mosquito bites that have a random pattern. It is always advised that the affected area should never be scratched to avoid infection and immediately washed with soap and water.

Bed bugs do prefer any part of the body that has good blood flow so the reproductive organs will always be included in their list of target spots.

Solving 'em bugs

Treating bed bug bites is only a small part of solving the problem, as the next step is actually getting rid of these unwanted visitors. Those often traveling to areas with a tropical climate are very susceptible to bed bug infestations, as the luggage they carry might become their new home. Seeing bed bugs crawl into boxes, suitcases and belongings is very difficult, as they are tiny, agile and cryptic. Homes not yet infested could inherit this problem from the use of second hand furniture, couches or beds.

Those that want to get rid of bed bugs in beds will have a difficult task at hand. Fabrics with holes and tears are perfect locations for them to lay eggs. During the 40s and 50s the use of DDT was popular, as it helped minimize the spread of bed bug infestations but was eventually outlawed due to concerns over their effects to humans.

Pest control firms have a wide array instruments to help get rid of beg bugs ranging from pesticides, aerosols and other chemical agents. Beds in poor condition or heavily infested should be automatically discarded. Regardless if the bed is thrown out or not, encasing the box spring and mattress is very helpful especially if the bugs are still there.

Vacuuming could also help in getting rid of bed bugs and some pest control experts even use portable steam machines to treat beds. Whether the infestation is minor or major, bed bugs are always a pest especially for those that want to get a good night’s sleep. Perhaps, the most effective way to avoid a bed bug problem is to practice good hygiene and observe cleanliness.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs. There are elements in your life that you mostly want to get rid of. There are unlikely people, events or things you want to erase and forget. 

Bed bugs will definitely get into the list. Bed bugs are tiny, crawling insects that thrive in the dark spots of your house, where cracks and little holes abound.

Bed bugs are so tiny, that they can hardly be seen by the naked eye. Observing bed bugs and looking closely at them will require the use of special magnifying glasses or lenses. 

Bed bugs suck blood of their hosts. You can be their unwilling and unsuspecting host, as well as your pets and your housemates. 

Through, medical experts and doctors will agree that bed bugs are safe pests because they do not carry diseases into their systems, bed bugs’ bites can be really annoying and discomforting. 

Bites of bed bugs are often itchy and swell, just like mosquito bites and bites of other insects. That is why, though they pose no serious medical threat, they can still be treated skin hazards. 

You might accumulate lots of small wounds from scratches.

How do you get rid of bugs? 

So how do you get rid of bed bugs? The answer can be plain and simple. To get rid of bed bugs, have determination.

Getting rid of bed bugs will entail lots of patience and perseverance. Allot a substantial amount of money, too. 

The best, safest, most effective and most intelligent way or measure to get rid of bed bugs is to hire or seek professional help from pest control companies. 

Pest extermination companies get rid not just of bed bugs but also of all other unlikely house transients---insects and pests.

To get rid of bed bugs, pest control professionals have invested in equipment. You will be amazed how bed bugs’ extermination process has gone so sophisticated. 

The process has really gone so far, that the first movie scene you will remember upon seeing them with their equipment is a scene from the classic movie “Ghost Busters.” 

Understanding technical aspects of getting rid of bed bugs 

To get rid of bed bugs efficiently and effectively, pest control experts use certain chemicals in the form of pesticides or insecticides. 

Because the chemicals contained in these substances are so harsh and deadly, it is advised that you leave the handling to them. In other words, let the pest control experts have it their way. 

You have your own profession so do not mess with other people’s professions. Pest control personnel know what they are doing because they have been doing it for so long. 

Trust them and let them do their job, Take the side step, and only get in when they tell you. 

Pest control experts will also brief you on how to handle the furniture that may contain residues form the pesticides. Listen very carefully to instructions, not unless you want to be exterminated and poisoned yourself.

Remember, no matter how smart you are, there are still a lot of things around you that you know very little of. Chemicals and poisonous substrates can be one of them. 

When professionals are out

If ever you can not seek the help of pest control professionals for lots and various reasons, you should not despair. 

Having the knowledge about the harms and health risks of harsh chemicals in pesticides, you are expected to handle each substance with utmost care and cautiousness.

Remember, to be able to get rid of bed bugs or to be able to kill bed bugs, these pesticides’ formulations have to be really strong and fatal because insects, including bed bugs have strong and resilient systems.

Humans, unfortunately, are not as resilient. There are hundreds of reported cases of poisoning and fatalities from pest control contacts and inhalation. 

Several of those cases really got so far to be really fatal and deadly. 

To be able to prevent such instances, you have to make sure you handle every pesticide carefully, avoiding spraying at areas unnecessarily. 

Clean up the sprayed areas for possible residues after. 

Getting rid of bed bugs can be really hard, but you will get away with it, if you act accordingly and smartly.

Battling the Distribution of Bed Bugs

Battling the Distribution of Bed Bugs. Bed bugs are insects that do not have wings. They are roughly shaped oval. They measure, once fully grown, from four to five millimeters long. You might find the next piece of information unexpected, but bed bugs are fast runners.

There are easy to see on white linoleum or marble floors, but very difficult to spot on brown wooden floors. This is so because bed bugs are rust brown in color and they even change into a deeper red brown when they finish a blood meal.

The fact that bed bugs are dorsoventrally flat assists their distribution. Since they are so thin, they can squeeze in and fit in very narrow cracks and crevices, oftenly ones that may be found on the floor. Because of their great skillful hiding, bed bugs are very hard to detect.

Bed bug distribution also adds up to the any pieces of information about the two main species of bed bugs that bite human beings.

First, is the common bed bug, more scientifically called cimex lectularius. This kind of bed bug is found in any crevice as long as it is around room temperature. They are of greater distribution in Australia. May it be remote or urban, common bed bugs do not care, only as long as they are distributed to an area that copes well with their needs.

Another kind of bed bugs is the tropical bed bug, or cimex hemipterus. This bed bug has been guessed to be distributed in the tropics a long time ago. However, it was only recently recognized by the medical entomology department. This department can tell you more information about the distribution of the cimex hemipterus in the tropics.

Bed bugs are also distributed finely in human dwellings, bat caves and bird’s nests. In truth, the habitats that have been recently mentioned are the ones found to be most suitable for these said bed bugs. Why? It seems to be quite obvious. Bed bugs are distributed to these habitats because of their offered warmth and hosts they can feed on.

However, you must always remember tht bed bugs are never evenly distributed throughout the environment. You will come to notice that instead of being distributed in the environment, bed bugs are distributed mainly in harborages.

When human dwellings is the subject, the harborages are inclusive of the crack and crevices that you can find, sometimes not find, in your house’s walls, behind your wallpaper, furniture and wood paneling, or even under your carpetting.

Bed bugs are more usually not so prone to activity during the night, but will feed on anything during the day, especially when hunger strikes them. So, most likely, these said bed bugs would be distributed to trees and leaves and roots and absolutely anything that they can land on and strike their fancy.

Bed bugs can also be distributed to clothing, in bedding or even your luggage. However, much to their dismay, they do not have appendages that could allow them to cling, possibly to hair feathers or fur. This would bring you to the conclusion that bed bugs leave to feast on their hosts but once done with that thing they do, they leave their hosts since they have nothing to cling with in the first place.

Adult bed bugs live exclusively as parasites that feed mainly on warm-blooded animals, the best example, and probably the most usual, would be human beings. Since bed bugs can be distributed to poor housing conditions, then it would be conclusive that the infestations o fbed bugs can be found in these places too. And if these said bed bugs do get distributed to domestic premises, then the room they will most probably attack is the bedroom.

You already know of the fact that bed bugs are distributed to cracks and crevices where they most typically hide, but you probably would find this quite surprising. Throughout this essay, have you ever wondered or asked yourself why these insects are called bed bugs? It is because they love to distribute themselves in bedrooms, specifically in the vicinity of where the host, in this case, human beings, sleeps. Oftentimes, they would even habitate in the host’s sleeping place itself, the bed. Its distribution in bedrooms are also inclusive of bed frames, behind skirting or wallpaper and the matress itself.

Tracing Bed Bugs

Tracing Bed Bugs. The number of reported cases of bed bugs in schools, hotels, motels, cruise ships, dormitories, shelters, homes, movie houses and apartments are rising. And the authorities are somehow already alarmed and concerned over the issue. 

In the United States alone, it is reported that six out of ten apartments have bed bugs. Because bed bugs are not known to transfer or spread out any form of disease, the alarm is somehow flamed down. 

Origins 

Bed bugs are tiny, wingless creatures that are scientifically labeled Cimex lectularius. They are very small that you can hardly look at them with your bare eye.

Bed bugs are organisms that come from the world of insects. There are millions of species of insects, both small and large, and it is a wonder how each has its own noteworthy attribute or characteristics. 

In the United States, statistics and pest control authorities claim that bed bugs ceased to exist after the World War II in the 1940s. Before the World War, cases of bed bugs were so rampant, but people’s cooperation and breakthroughs in controlling pests helped curtail bed bug infestation post war. 

So people might be asking, if the bed bugs did not exist in the country during that time, where do our modern bed bugs come from? 

Good and logical question. Theories have it that modern-day bed bugs might have come from Asia, Africa or Europe. If bed bugs can only crawl, they are tiny and with only one-year lifespan, how did they cross borders? 

Because bed bugs can thrive in furniture, clothes and baggages, it is believed that American travelers during the time have contributed to the current spread of the pests. 

Several travelers might have traveled to one country and stayed in a hotel that was unknowingly infested with bed bugs. The bed bugs might have figured out ways to get inside the luggages and voila! They have traveled across borders! 

When the unsuspecting traveler unpacked his or her baggage, that is the time the bed bugs might have come out and spread out. 

Races 

Bed bugs can come from different countries. It is somehow amusing that like humans, bed bugs also seem to have races. 

American bugs are usually pale compared to counterparts in Africa, where bed bugs are usually colored deep brown. 

Don’t apply racial discrimination though in tracing where bed bugs come from. <br><br>

Vampires 

There is a myth that bed bugs are undeveloped grandchildren of vampires. What a funny and amusing myth!

The notion might have come from the fact that bed bugs, like Dracula and all other vampire characters we know, suck blood for nourishment.

When they do that, their appearances are also somehow changed. Hence, newly fed bed bugs will appear dark-red or reddish in color. Some bed bugs appear like have black mass inside their stomach. <br><br>

So, if the idea is just a stupid myth, where do bed bugs come from? 

Where do bed bugs come from? 

The question where do bed bugs come from is just like the question where do people come from. Questions on origins do solicit and prompt strong arguments between religion and science. 

Science always have ways in determining and finding out where organisms come from. But in the bed bugs’ case, you know that the subject does not evoke a particular need for an answer. 

There are much more better and more relevant subjects that deserve more attention than tracing down or determining where bed bugs come from. 

One of those concerns, though still related to bed bugs, is how to get rid or control them. Bed bugs might come from Alaska, Antarctica or Samoa. Who will care where bed bugs are coming from, by the way? 

The more important issue to consider is how to effectively curtail their spread. You know that use of pesticides and insecticides is one sure option, but you may wonder and think back how safe they are to you, your family and even your neighbors.

The next time you see another bed bug crawling in your bed, isn’t it more appropriate if you ask yourself, “How can I kill this one”, instead of “Where do bed bugs come from?”

Bed Bugs Bites

Bed Bugs Bites. Bed bugs can be everywhere. Most probably, your bed contains hundreds to thousands of bed bugs that crawl and creep into your body when you are asleep. 

Bed bugs are like insects equipped with intelligence. They really can get smart. Bed bugs suck the blood of their host, which of course are humans, and sometimes animal pets like fogs, cats, birds and even bats.

Long time ago, bed bugs are most prevalent among birds’ nests. But because just like the human species, bed bugs are evolving and adapting to environmental changes, they have learned to crawl into people’s homes, particularly beds and room surfaces. 

Bed bugs take their sumptuous meals by using their elongated beaks to pierce through the skin of the host. After that, they start the feast and harshly suck on blood until they can no longer take more. 

What a fortune! While people find it hard to find food, bed bugs find it very easy. And more often, they feast and not run out of supplies. 

Diseases from bed bugs 

Doctors and medical practitioners assure, however, that bed bugs’ bites are not that harmful. Mosquito bites are far more threatening because they can sometimes transfer a number of serious ailments like malaria, dysentery, elephantiasis or h-fever.

In comparison, bites of bed bugs do not pose much health risk. Bed bugs can be a host to a number of diseases but they seldom pass this on to their hosts or victims.

Good thing that bed bugs are safe biters when it comes to ailments and diseases transferred through that way. 

Understanding how bed bugs bite 

As described earlier, bed bugs use their beaks to pierce skin and get or suck the abundant supply of blood. By doing so, it is inevitable for them not to transfer or leave their saliva into the pierced skin. 

This saliva, thankfully, can never contain diseases or pathogens. But, these saliva can cause allergic reactions. Some people’s systems will react harshly to such bites. 

Hence, most bed bugs’ bites swell after 10 minutes to 24 hours. Just like mosquito bites, they swell and appear reddish. They are also accompanied by little discomfort and itchiness.

The itch from bed bugs’ bites can be so persistent and annoying that if you keep on scratching, you will be tempted to make it harder. By that, you will be creating little wounds. 

At most, that is what bed bugs’ bites can do. 

Avoiding bed bugs’ bites 

Of course, the beat and most effective way to prevent or avoid bed bugs’ bites is by making sure the insects will not appear during sleep hours. And how can that be? 

By ensuring that your bed or your room as a whole is not infested by bed bugs. To prevent bed bugs from attacking, maintain hygiene and cleanliness. Regularly clean the room and be thorough in cleaning crevices and cracks on floors and walls. 

If you like traveling, make sure the place you are staying in is not infested with bed bugs. Otherwise, bed bugs can get into your baggage, and voila, when you unpack your things at home, bed bugs will be spread into your room. 

There are also insect-repellant products in the market. There are those products that can be applied to your skin like lotion. Once you have these repellant, bed bugs will be reluctant to get near you. They will find your skin a danger zone and will find you unappealing as a food source. Isn’t that appealing to you?

Bed bugs, wrapping up 

Bed bugs’ bites are hard to avoid especially if you are not living alone in your room, or you have thousands of bed bugs families in your bed. Prevention is better than cure.

Might as well be very careful not to make your room and bed breeding grounds for bed bugs. In the market, you can also find dozens of lotions  or skin products that serve as repellant to bed bugs. 

Being bitten by bed bugs can never be serious, don’t worry. All you have to do is treat the bitten skin part the way you treat mosquito bites. They normally fade out and heal by themselves over a little time.

Bugged And Bitten: The Bed Bug Problem

Bugged And Bitten: The Bed Bug Problem. Having a good night’s sleep could be next to impossible if your bed is infested with bed bugs. Suffering from a bed bug bite can be equal to a nightmare, as it can be very itchy and distressing. While bed bugs are surely a pest to life, it is good to know there is a plethora of solutions to the problems they present.

Know your enemy

Scientifically known as “Cimes lectularius”, bed bugs are tiny, wingless insects that can be found anyplace in the world. Bed bugs operate similarly to nocturnal parasites meanings they active in finding human hosts during nighttime and are normally asleep during the day. They situate themselves in on mattresses and bedding where they can easily find a source of food.

Bed bugs bite using their highly developed mouth parts and they usually attack when the person occupying the bed is fast asleep. These parts include an elongated peak that can easily pierce the skin and suck blood. The engorgement period only takes a short period to complete finishing as fast as less than a minute to lasting for as long as three minutes. However, a bed bug bite is painless and the human host will only be able to determine that he has been victimized long after the bed bug has finished the meal.

A bed with many holes and tears may be very uncomfortable for the person sleeping on its but this is the perfect hiding place for bed bugs. Bed bugs are not picky on where they want to stay as long as they have someone to bite.

Bed bugs can live in sleeping bags, egg foam, cardboard stacks or even water beds. Water beds have nooks and crannies and are usually warm, which is the preferred temperature of bed bugs.

Bite it 

You know you have been bitten by a bed bug if you see large wheals. These wheals eventually become a small red mark that only last for a few days. The bite is also made in orderly rows unlike the random pattern made by mosquitoes and could become itchy.

The worst beg bug bites are those that swell and form blisters or even those that result in small loss of skin tissue. It is interesting to note that not all bites or any bite-like reactions are caused by bed bugs. Those bitten should try to find the bugs themselves or consult a specialist. 

Those bitten should not be too worried about getting any hazardous disease from a bed bug bite. The medical significance of the bites is limited mainly to inflammation and itching. Washing the bite with soap and water is the proper way to immediately treat bites. Various anti-itch creams are available in drugstores.

Scratching the affected area is a sure way to make it worse, as this normally results to an infection. Using an icepack is also advisable to minimize swelling. If the pain gets to severe, taking a prescribed pain-killing medication will help.<br><br>

Spraying DDT has been a popular practice of getting rid of bed bugs years ago but has been banned because of the possible complications it might cause to humans. Treatments available today are more focused and judicious. Inspecting a bed bug infestation usually takes a few hours. Homeowners that hire professionals to solve their bed bug problems should follow certain procedures before a room or house if treated.

Garments or beddings that are badly infested need to be discarded, as these cannot be sprayed with insecticides. Reducing clutter is also a requirement.  Rooms filled with belongings will just slowdown inspection and treatment.

Garments or bedding badly infested need to be discarded, as these cannot be sprayed with insecticides. Reducing clutter is also a requirement.  A room filled with belongings will just slowdown inspection and treatment.

Bed bugs cannot survive any area with temperature of below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, any attempt to kill bed bugs by chilling a room has a low chance of success, as the cold temperature should be maintained for at least two weeks. Pest-control experts normally use a wide array of aerosols, low-odor sprays or dusts.

Maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness is the best way to avoid bed bug bites. Bed sheets should be changed at least once a week and floors especially those carpeted need to be vacuumed frequently. If possible, locate the home of the bedbugs and spray it with a special insecticide to kill a considerable number of these unwanted visitors.

Are There Bed Bugs At Hilton Hotel?

Are There Bed Bugs At Hilton Hotel? The Hilton Hotel has created for itself an image of class, elegance and excellent service. However in the recent years, there have been complaints of bed bugs at Hilton hotel. The Internet has been a rich source of patron’s frustration at the problem of bed bugs at Hilton hotel. Because the management does not acknowledge the existence of bed bugs at Hilton hotel branches, the customers are suing them.

Bed bugs at Hilton hotel may not be a common occurrence. It is only of late that thing shave been starting to heat up between patrons and management regarding the bed bugs at Hilton hotel. One of the main issues is that the hotel staff is not accommodating in trying to settle the problem of bed bugs at Hilton hotel. 

For the uninitiated, bed bugs at Hilton hotel are no different from the bed bugs at home. These bed bugs at Hilton hotel are bloodsuckers found in places where travelers stay overnight. They can also be found in second-hand clothing shops and other furniture like carpets and sofas. Bed bugs at Hilton hotel have gained notoriety because of the image and status symbol of the Hilton brand.

Many of the motel and apartments also have bed bugs. But lately, even high priced establishments, like the bed bugs at Hilton hotel, are getting a bite out of the customers. This appearance of bed bugs at Hilton hotel could not entirely be the fault of the management.

It is common knowledge that a traveler can become carriers of bed bugs at Hilton hotel. Not just at the Hilton though, other hotels that have the same problem must have had their guests or staff unknowingly brought the insect with them through their bags or purchased clothing. 

It is quite unfair to take small matters like this to the court. But there have been cases where disgruntled customers file a complaint against the bed bugs at Hilton hotel and how poorly the staff took care of their needs.

What the management should have done is provide customers with complimentary gifts, a cash refund or provided them with an alternative room without bed bugs at Hilton hotel. Customers want to feel pampered and treated like royalty when they check in at the Hilton. And nothing says disappointment than catching bed bugs at Hilton hotel.

The most obvious step for the hotel management is to remedy the bed bugs at Hilton hotel situation. Preserving their brand’s image is a very important aspect of the hotel manager’s job. He should personally monitor the extermination of these bed bugs at Hilton hotel.

The process of eliminating the bed bugs at Hilton hotel may require the hotel to shut down operations, especially if the infestation is widespread. But if there are only a few cases reported, then what the management can do is discreetly let the exterminator check the beds one at a time. It can be done without having to turn away guests. 

Once the exterminator has checked all the possible hiding places of the bed bugs at Hilton hotel, he will then proceed to spray the furniture with an odorless insecticide available in the store. Depending on how bad the bed is infested, the exterminator can still save it by using a spray especially made for mattresses. 

The next and most important step is the dusting for bed bugs at Hilton hotel. The dusting is done with an insecticide dust.  It is used to kill bed bugs in those nooks and crannies where they hide. Drione Dust is the best product out in the market that does the job. A special duster is used in applying this product. The exterminator often wears gloves when dealing with chemicals.

The advantage of having a professional do the job is that they are thorough with the application of the chemicals. This is important to avoid bed bugs from resurfacing again after the treatment.

The Hilton hotel is not perfect. But at least it should try to deliver its promise of comfort and leisure to its patrons. There should be no uninvited guests sharing the bed with the customers. The worse thing that can happen to any establishment is be ruined by their own hands. Hilton hotel is dangerously close to that possibility.

Distinguishing Bed Bugs And Dust Mites Picture

Distinguishing Bed Bugs And Dust Mites Picture. At first glance, bed bugs and dust mites picture looks nearly the same. Brownish to orange color of the body, both are round and are tiny insects. But bed bugs and dust mites picture are deceiving.

The bed bugs and dust mites picture have differences when you look close enough. Bed bugs have six legs while dust mites are arachnids, which mean they have eight legs. 

Other differences in the bed bugs and dust mites picture are the details of their body shape. Bed bugs have a round flattened shape, which plumps up when engorged in blood during their feeding. Dust mites are already full rounded and feed most on human dander or skin scales.

Looking closely at the bed bugs and dust mites picture, you will see that bed bugs have antennae’s while dust mites don’t have one. Dust mites are all legs. There body structure may look alike but bed bugs are much more related to fleas.

The bed bugs and dust mites picture also reveal that bed bugs are visible enough for the naked eye to spot. They are tiny but nonetheless visible. Dust mites have translucent bodies and that makes them invisible to the unaided eyes.

When bed bugs and dust mites pictures are placed together, one can clearly see that these two have distinct marking unique to the specie. Another noticeable thing about these bed bugs and dust mites picture is how, when dismissed by the untrained eye, they can be mistaken for one another.

These pests create an unsanitary place for us humans. Bed bugs are parasites while dust mites contribute to allergy. Dust mite allergy is very common and occurs when we inhale their excrement. One thing the bed bugs and dust mites picture reveal is that they both like to live in our beds.

Yes, our mattress hosts hundreds of squirmy littler pests. Looking at any bed bugs and dust mites picture is enough to make you want to sleep on a bamboo bed. Unfortunately, bed bugs and dust mites can live there too.

Based on the bed bugs and dust mites picture, there is a way to eliminate them in your home. One is to make sure you wash your bed sheets, pillowcases, draperies and carpets regularly. Change them twice a month or better yet, once a week. This will prevent the bed bugs and dust mites picture from popping into your head all the time.

Clean the house with a vacuum. If you don’t have one, try running a wet cloth to wipe the floor and other small places that the vacuum cannot reach. Dust mites are the ones that form dust bunnies so make sure you clean these up well. Dust bunnies are a collection of the dust mite ‘s excrement, hair and other substances that land on the floor.

The bed bugs and dust mites picture also show us how different their natures are. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects. They like to feed when it is quiet and when people are sleeping. Bed bugs hide during the day in cracks and warm places.

Dust mites are content with living their whole lives in the dark corner. The bed bugs and dust mites picture show how they live out their cycle: hatching, eating, growing, defecating, mating, and laying eggs. 

When looking for the worse between these who pests, take a look at the bed bugs and dust mites picture. You’ll see that though bed bugs look scary, at least they are visible and there is a treatment for their infestation. 

Dust mites are not like that. The bed bugs and dust mites picture shows that dust mites may have more numbers than bed bugs in the mattress. Why is that? Because when the bed bugs and dust mites picture of their nymphs (or developing babies), dust mites always show us with a grouped bed bugs and dust mites picture. They huddle together and show us their might in numbers. No wonder a lot of people experience allergic rhinitis.

If made to choose between the lesser evil, the most obvious choice are bed bugs. At least there are pesticides formulated just to kill and eliminate these pests whereas with dust times, you could have an allergy for the rest of your life.

Bugged By The Bugs

Bugged By The Bugs. The notoriety of bed bugs show that vampires are not the only popular blood suckers in society. Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, bed bugs are tiny, brownish flat-like insects that operate mostly during nighttime. During the day bed bugs prefer to situate themselves in areas people normally sleep on. Their small bodies enable them to fit in the narrowest of spaces, especially those related with headboards, box springs and mattresses. Unlike ants or bees, bed bugs do not congregate in a single area.

The problems on bed bugs are even documented in writings about medieval Europe and classical Greek during the time of Aristotle. Bed bugs were already known to feast on wild hosts mainly birds and bats.

Bed bugs were a big problem especially before World War II due to the poor focus on cleanliness and proper hygiene. However, the bugs nearly vanished in the 1940’s and 1950’s because of the widespread use of various pesticides. However, less effective pesticides and reforms in pest control methods enabled these creatures to make a comeback and again become a pest in society.

The Big Bugs

The adult bed bugs are normally mistaken as ticks or cockroaches, as they are approximately ¼ inch in length with flat and hard bodies. These insects can move swiftly in floors, ceiling, walls and other surfaces but cannot fly. The female bed bugs can lay as many as 500 eggs during their lifespan and choose secluded areas to make their move.

When the eggs hatch, the baby bugs or nymphs can fully develop as fast as a month. Cool areas or where there is no access to blood will prolong the development time. The nymphs can live for several months without feasting, while the adults can last for around a year.

Bite Me 

People in deep slumber are normally the prime targets of bed bugs. A person who is being bitten may not even notice that he has become dinner for the bed bug, as engorgement normally lasts for around three minutes or even less than a minute. Bite scars result in a red welt or slight swelling of the skin.

People that travel frequently, do not regularly clean their beds or use pre-owned beds should be concerned that they will be eventually attacked. However, bed bugs are not considered a serious disease threat, as there is only a small chance that they can transmit any harmful virus to humans. Those that want to prevent complications from bed bug bites should spread antibiotic cream or antiseptic to the infected area of the body.

In addition, it is best not to scratch the infected area. Similar to mosquito bites, scratching only makes the infection worse.

Control ‘em bugs

The proliferation of bed bugs has been a problem for many centuries. The length of time they have been causing headaches indicate that the perfect way control them has yet to be developed. It is wise for a person with a bed bug issue to hire a professional pest control group to help solve his dilemma.

Those with a long experience in the pest industry should know where bed bugs settle. To assist the pest solvers, clients should at least clean their surroundings from excess clutter. The inspectors could be forced to look in nearby rooms, as bed bugs have the ability to disperse in different areas of a building.

Dispose the bed

The bed is normally the main breeding ground of bugs. If a bed has holes and tears it is likely that these contain eggs inside or out. Pest control companies normally advise their clients to dispose the beds that are heavily infested or in poor shape.

Bed bugs do not choose what type of bed they will settle, as they put more importance on the warm blooded person occupying it for an extended period of time. Bed bugs can even settle in sleeping bags, egg foam, or even stacks cardboard on the floor. Any place where people sleep is always the perfect area for bed bugs to roam. Water beds are also included, as these have nooks and crannies and are often warm, which is the preferred temperature of these insects.

Despite various alternatives to control bed bugs, it is safe to say they are here to stay. Possibly, the best way not to become a bed bug victim is by putting a premium on good hygiene and cleanliness.

The Bed Bugs Dilemma

The Bed Bugs Dilemma. Under everyone’s mattress hides parasites. Bed bugs are one of the most common insects in America. However it is only in the recent years that bed bugs are categorized as pests. With increase of immigrant and travelers from different places, bed bugs thrive in hotels, restaurants, shelters, homes, apartments and motels.

What are bed bugs? These are tiny, brown, flattened insects that feed on an animal’s blood. There are certain types of bed bugs that have a preference for humans. The common one, classified as Cimex lectularius, found in our homes is the insect adapted to living with humans.

Bed bugs can be mistaken for ticks in their adult stage. They do not fly like cockroaches but they are agile and can move really fast over walls, floors and other types of surfaces. What makes them a pest is that bed bugs are very resilient. They can live without food (blood) from their host for up to a year. This means these parasites can lie dormant, just waiting for an unsuspecting victim to arrive.

The bed bug’s nocturnal behavior makes it hard for people to identify if they have one on their furniture. Eliminating them is also a problem. If people cannot see where the bed bugs are, it can be hard to determine if they were all killed when pesticide is applied.

Bed bugs are great hiders and usually come out to feed on a blood meal in the middle of the night. It is not confirmed if bed bugs are aware that their hosts are asleep when they feed. But their habits suggest that they can more or less sense if the host is in a relaxed state. 

Symptoms of being bitten by bed bugs are different from one person to another. There are people who have no reaction to bites from these bed bugs. Some experience an itchy, swelling bump on the skin where the bed bugs had their fill. Others have leave inflamed welt marks on their victims. 

Bed bugs feed on their hosts by piercing the human skin with long beak, which they use to suck the blood. Much like fleas and mosquitoes, their bodies become engorged in three to ten minutes without the victim noticing. Perhaps it is their patience in getting the blood meal that makes it hard for human to realize what is happening to them<br><br>

A major concern is the possibility of transmitting disease. There has been no documented case of a disease passed on by bed bugs so it is dismissed by science. The extent of their damage to their hosts is limited to itchiness and swelling from their bites.

The real problem on bed bugs is infestation. They can produce three generations in a year. Female bed bugs place their eggs in very secluded areas like the folds in the mattress, and deposits eggs of up to five a day. Because of this their numbers continue to grow without the human’s knowledge. Soon they spread around the house and an infestation occurs. These infestations can cause anxiety and loss of sleep.

How do you know if your bed is infested with bed bugs? Answer three simple questions to find out:

• Do you wake up to find an itchy and swelling welt on your neck, face, arms, shoulders, etc when you had none before sleeping?
• Does your mattress have dark stains and spotting? 
• Do you wake up to see small reddish brown spots on the sheets, pillowcases or walls?

If you answered, “yes” to two out of three questions above, then it is likely that you are lying in a mattress full of bed bugs. 

The best way to get rid of them is to throw away your mattress. Bed bugs can live in wait for a long period of time so even if you try to wash it, they may resurface. Using pesticides on the bed can be dangerous for the owner. So only a new mattress is the solution.

Eliminating and entire home for bed bugs can be tedious. So if you can afford it, make sure you get your home pre-treated against these parasites. And since these insects also live in carpets and sofas, the best defense is prevention.

All About Bed Bugs

All About Bed Bugs. Bed bugs are rarely seen these days because of the widespread use of DDT during the 1940's and 50's to exterminate all sorts of pests in the United States. However, bed bugs are making a comeback. Hotels and motels are among the places that suffer from bed bugs infestation.

According to studies, bed bugs' comeback may be attributed to international travelling of Americans to countries with bed bugs infestation on hotels and motels and the immigration to the States by people from countries with bed bugs infestation.

You will not be even sure if your own household is bed bugs free. If you haven't seen one but suspects that a bed bug hitched on your clothes and has started a colony on your home, try to know the basic things about bed bugs so that you would know if you need to treat your home from infestation.

-- Genera and species of bed bugs

Bed bugs are small, brownish in color, flat, nocturnal insects. Bed bugs belong to the family Cimicidae that live by feeding on human and animal blood.

Bed bugs with scientific name Cimex lectularius are the common household bed bugs. They are the species of bed bugs that feed on humans and have adapted to human environments. These type of bed bugs are found in temperate climates. Believe it our not, they are the same bed bugs that torment people from the ancient times.

There are other bed bugs species such as Cimex hemipterus which are found in tropical regions like Florida. These type of bed bugs also infests poultry and bats. Another bed bugs species, the Leptocimex boueti which are found in the tropics of South America and West Africa infest not just humans but bats as well. Bed bugs species with scientific namen Cimex pilosellus and C. pipistrella primarily infest bats. A bed bug species of North America, the Haematosiphon inodora, primarily infests poultry.

-- Physical characteristics of bed bugs

Adult bed bugs are small, oval, flattened, reddish brown, and wingless. Many people think that bed bugs are so small and move so quick that they are not anymore visible to the naked eye. Adult bed bugs grow to 4 to 5 mm in length and although they move fast, they are not as fast as other perceive them to be. People do not see bed bugs because bed bugs stay still on bed, sofa or matress crevices and bite people only when they are still (such as when we are sleeping). 

Newly hatched bed bugs nymphs are translucent. Their color become become browner as they reach maturity. Their size are often compared to appleseeds.

-- Feeding habits of bed bugs

Bed bugs can live more than a year without feeding. But when a host is present, they feed regularly every five to ten days.

Although bed bugs may attempt to feed on human blood anytime of the day, they are generally active and feed only at night. An hour before dawn is bed bugs peak attack.

Bed bugs, like any other insect that feed on human blood such as leeches, inject  anesthetics on the skin of their hosts so that piercing and blood sucking won't be felt by the human host.

This is made possible with the two hollow tube of bed bugs. One of their hollow tube releases saliva that contains an anticoagulant and anesthetics while the other tube withdraws the blood.  

Bed bugs feed for about five minutes and immediately return to their hiding place such as the bed matresses and pillows.

-- Health effects of bed bugs bite on humans

Unlike other blood sucking insects such as mosquitoes that carries Malaria and Dengue Fever (Yellow Fever), bed bugs are not known to have to cause transmission of any diseases that are transmitted through blood, such as Hepatitis B, HIV, and other diseases.

They are not regarded by scientists as a medical threat, although they may cause severe itching and skin marks on the bitten part of the skin. Skin infections and scars may precipitate due to scratching a bitten part and this may require medical attention by a dermatologist.

A calamine lotion may subside redness and itch of the bitten part. Wash with warm water and germicidal soap first before you apply a calamine lotion.

Bed Bugs: Your Unlikely Room Mate

Bed Bugs: Your Unlikely Room Mate. Have you ever feel like you were not alone in your room, although there is no one else there beside you? 

Have you ever experienced being alone in your room in the middle of the night, hence, you feel, and you are certain that there are other beings there with you? 

You are not about to read another scary story. Or if you think you will be reading perverted things here, no, you are wrong.

You should check on your room, especially your bed. You may have unwanted room mates, or worse bed mates. Do not be scared. The unlikely being referred here is the insect commonly called bed bugs. 

What are bed bugs?

Bed bug is one among the millions of species of the insect world. Scientifically, common bed bugs are known as Cimex lectularius. 

Experts and professionals claim that the existence of bed bugs had been controlled in the United States in the 70s and 80s. However, due to persistence and survival of bed bugs in Asia, Europe and in Africa, travelers may have carried along the parasites during travel and migration to the country. 

Bed bugs are wingless insects. They are parasites that feed primarily on the blood of warm-blooded victims such as animals and human. The belief that bed bugs only bite humans is wrong. Your pets can also be host to the parasite. 

Birds, dogs, cats, in short, every mammal that can come into contact with the infested bed or surroundings can be affected by bed bugs.

Bed bugs are so tiny, that one can hardly see it. The biggest bed bugs, however, during their final stage of maturity can reach about 25% of an inch long. Usually, bed bugs are oval-shaped and they appear flattened when viewed from top to bottom. 

Bed bugs are usually colored deep brown or cream to white. There are also bed bugs that appear burnt orange in color. 

Life span 

After feeding blood, bed bugs may look like black insects or dark red. That indicates that the bed bug has already stored food inside its body. Once it has fed from its prey, or host, bed bugs usually last until about more than a year before it needs further feeding. 

Adult bed bugs can last more than a year without sucking blood. It is different for younger or baby bed bugs. They can last only a few months, or even a few months without food, that is, blood.

Hence, even if a bed infested with bed bugs remains vacant or unoccupied for how many months, chances are the bed bugs still exist there.

Bed bugs on the average life span, needs about three to four replenishments or feeding sessions before it lay eggs and completes its life span. 

Habitat

Bed bugs normally thrive in dark spots or areas in the house. Part of their protective instinct is that they live inside crevices and dark and miniscule holes where they can not easily be detected or killed. 

Bed bugs can also live in beds, beneath them, underneath them or inside them. They can remain undetected during daytime. But surely, they go out and hunt for food during night time. 

Bed bugs may appear smart because they know when to attack prospective hosts--- when they are asleep. 

When bed bugs bite, they normally do not produce stinging sensation. Hence, the victim will only know that he or she has been bitten after a day or two, when the skin reacts to the saliva left by the bed bugs into the affected area.

The bitten skin may itch and appear reddish. Sometimes, it is also hard to distinguish bed bug bites from the usual mosquito bites. 

Control of bed bugs 

Bed bugs are hard to control. There are a lot of pesticides that can kill the parasite, but it is advisable that you consult a pest control expert to control and exterminate bed bugs. 

There a lot of harmful pesticides that can surely kill bed bugs. But the catch is, these pesticides can be really dangerous and harmful, not just to you and your other housemates, but also to your neighbors. 

You may not want to exterminate yourself and your loved ones along with bed bugs, right? 

Contact the local pest control operators in your locality. If you are renting an apartment, it is the duty of the land lord to arrange for the necessary pest control to get rid of bed bugs.

Bed Bug Rash and Bed Bug Odor

Do you know that there is a 90% chance that a famous hotel -- a presidential or suite room in a five star hotel -- may have bed bugs? Your favorite hotel may even have bed bugs infestation too without you knowing about it.

So, you now ask, how would you know if your hotel have bed bugs? What are the signs and symptoms of bed bugs infestation? If your hotel has bed bugs, what should you do so that your home won't be infested when you get home?

Here are the common signs and symptoms of bed bugs infestation:<br><br>

* Bed Bug Rash

The first sign is itch. Bed bug rash starts with an itch but the rash won't be visible yet when you feel the itch.

Bed bug bites are more itchy than mosquito bites. With mosquito bites you will feel its sting and sucking of blood while it is up to it. But with bed bugs, the itch will only be felt an hour after the skin has been bitten.  This is because of the anesthetics in bed bug's saliva. Bed bugs inject anesthetics and anticoagulant, to avoid blood clotting, before it will suck blood from your skin.

Bed bug rash will appear an hour after you were pierced.  But to some people, the bed bug rash appear only after some days or week from being bitten. This depends upon the body's reaction to chemicals being secreted by bed bugs.

How does a bed bug rash look like? Bed bug rash starts with a single, small, red (from being inflamed) round, bump which look more swollen than mosquito rash. Bed bug rash when it becomes visible, may just be a single, swollen bump. Days after, the bed bug rash will multiply. This only means that the other bed bugs are biting you. But for some people, bed bug rash look like an in-line bite marks. This kind of bed bug rash are seen on people who moves a lot when asleep. Bed bugs return fast to their hiding place once they have noticed any movement around them.

When you have a rash that you suspect as a bed bug rash, observe it for some days. Bed bug rash are itchy even after days that the bed bug rash appears.  Also, bed bug rash does not heal as fast as mosquito bite marks. It stays swollen for weeks.

* Bed Bug Odor

Next sign to look for after the bed bug rash appears is the bed bug odor. How does bed bug odor smells like?

Hotel with heavy bed bug infestation has this offensive, sweet-like, musty odor that bed bug releases. You may search for this odor under the mattresses and headboard. If your hotel has a wooden chair or a sofa with crevices, smell them too for a bed bug odor.

Hotels with minimal or light infestation, the bed bug odor is not easily detectable.

* How to avoid infesting your house with hotel bed bugs

The night before you check out, remove every item from your suitcase. Bed bugs are effective hitchhikers. They can survive for years without food and if they hitched in your luggage, they can start an infestation in your home.

Check your wooden items with bed bugs. Bed bugs like wooden items, cloth and paper. These are the material in which they create their habitat.

Spray on a water based insect killer around your suitcase. Shake off your clothes for any bed bugs. Wipe your bath tub dry and put your items and clothings in there. Bed bugs won't stay on tub crevices since a tub is made of ceramic or marbles and it usually gets wet.

For your used clothing, have it washed before you leave for home. Remember, this is not a simple matter. Once your bedroom has been infested with bed bugs, it will spread fast to neighboring rooms. Getting rid of bed bugs is a very tough job. You even need to throw away your bed and sofa to wipe your house clean from any trace of bed bugs.

The Truth Behind Articles On Bed Bugs

There are many written articles on bed bugs either on science journals or online. The growing interest in finding out what these creatures are, how they affect our lives and how we can stop them from spreading has lead to numerous articles on bed bugs.

These articles on bed bugs tackle many areas concerning the bed bug. The first type of articles on bed bugs that you may encounter describes what a bed bug is. A physical description of the parasite can help give us differentiate it from other parasites. Adult bed bugs are 1/4 inch long and are reddish brown in color, with oval and flat bodies. Often these articles on bed bugs provide photographs that make it easier for us to identify the insect. 

According to articles on bed bugs, there are different types of bed bugs. Aside from the common bed bug that preys on human blood, there are bed bugs that prefer animal blood like birds or bats. To better understand it, articles on bed bugs offer a glimpse of the creature’s life cycle. Female bed bugs take their eggs and lay in hidden areas. They can give birth to 500 eggs during a lifetime. The eggs are very small, whitish, and may need magnification to be identified.

Articles on bed bugs mention that the eggs are sticky when first laid; making it stick to whatever surface they are placed.  When they hatch, they are no bigger that a pinhead.  As these bed bugs grow, they shed their skins. Some articles on bed bugs say that this shedding can happen five times before becoming adults.

Articles on bed bugs suggest that the speed of bed bug’s development rely on the right temperature, about 70 - 90° F. At that rate they can complete their transition from eggs to adult bugs in a month.

The articles on bed bugs say that cool temperatures and limited access to a prey can delay the full maturity of the bed bugs. However, this does not mean that they die easily. Other articles on bed bugs compare them to cockroaches in resilience. Bed bugs can survive months at a time not feeding. The adults can even stay alive for a year or more without a blood meal.

Some articles on bed bugs explain the how a bed bug’s nature and feeding habits. Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures. As parasites, they move unnoticeably within our homes, furniture, carpets, bed, etc. Articles on bed bugs say that although they can’t fly, they are very quick insects and can move with ease through almost every surface.

Bed bugs are patient parasites. When the bed bugs feed, they pierce the human skin with their beaks and suck the blood through. Articles on bed bugs explain further that unlike mosquitoes, bed bugs take their time in feeding. They get engorged after three to ten minutes. This slow method could be the reason why people do not wake up from a bed bug bite.

The most helpful articles on bed bugs are the ones that show us how to detect these pests in our homes. One sure sign that there are bed bugs under the sheets are dark brownish satins and spotting on the mattress. Articles on bed bugs identify this as the pest’s excrement or droppings.

The physical manifestations of a bed bug bite can be mistaken for other types of insects. But if tiny drops of blood on the sheets, pillowcases or walls accompany the itchy, swelling welt on your exposed skin, then you just may be sleeping with a pest on your bed.

Once you have confirmed that bed bugs do exist in your mattress, articles on bed bugs strongly suggest that you throw your bed away. Spraying pesticides on the bed may be poisonous for the owner, if he intends to sleep on it afterwards.

Where one bed bug lives, so there are hundreds more. Since articles on bed bugs say that bed bugs are hard to spot, you may want to hire pest control to check your entire home for any infestation. These bed bugs may also be living in your pet’s day bed or doghouse and are mistaken for ticks.

It pays to get the right information just like the articles on bed bugs. The truth can only be found is one searches for it.