by Paulin Soleyman

Created on: October 01, 2008

"Good Night! Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!" is a phrase commonly used by parents when they are putting their children to bed. The response is usually a giggle from the child followed by a good night kiss. As pleasant as this exchange between parent and child may sound the reality is that bed bugs are no laughing matter as the bite of these tiny blood-sucking parasites produces painful sores. Today, the common belief is that bed bugs, an accepted part of life in bygone days, no longer occur in homes. However, this is far from the truth. In fact, the number of cases of bed bugs is increasing in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, North America and Europe. A common misconception regarding bed bugs is that like cockroaches, they are attracted to filth and thus a clean residence is immune to such infestation. However, the truth of the matter is that bed bugs are attracted to exhaled carbon dioxide and body heat. Thus, any residence, regardless of its cleanliness, is vulnerable to a bed bug infestation.

Fortunately, most of us have never even seen a bed bug. Those of us who have seen bed bugs may simply have mistaken them for ticks or small cockroaches. These small, oval shaped parasites are often light brown in color. However, they turn dark brown right after feeding. Adult bed bugs grow to be about a quarter of an inch long and can survive for more than a year without food.

Most people whose homes are infested with bed bugs are unaware of this because these small parasites hide during the day and feast on the blood of sleeping humans or animals at night. Telltale signs of a bed bug infestation include such things as dark spotting from bed bug fecal matter on your mattress, box springs, bed frames, headboards and spots of blood on your sheets, mattress or walls. However, the most obvious sign of a bed bug infestation will be on your body. If you awake with itchy red welts on your neck, arms, back, sides, or lower legs you can be certain it is the work of bed bugs.

Fortunately, in this day and age ridding your home of bed bugs is fairly easy. First and foremost, rid your house of any nesting birds or bats. These animals' nests play host to bed bugs. That may have been the method by which these bugs were introduced into your house in the first place. Do not make the mistake of only treating your bedroom for bed bugs as these pests often spread throughout the house. It is highly recommended that professional exterminators be brought in to thoroughly eliminate the bed bugs. If you are not a licensed exterminator, do not apply pesticides in your residence unless you fully understand what you are applying and the risks involved. Keep in mind that you may be held legally liable if as a landlord or property manager you misapply pesticides. If you wish to rid your home of bed bugs in a pesticide free manner be sure to wash all bedding in water of at least 120 degrees as bed bugs cannot survive such heat. If such hot water is not accessible to you than freeze your bedding at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But, be advised that the chilling period must be at least two weeks long. Since bug infested beds and other furniture cannot be treated with insecticides, washed or frozen it is often necessary to discard them.

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