What are Bed Bugs ?

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.