By: Darin McMahon, Activ Pest & Lawn

Most householders and business owners of this generation have never seen a bed bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity among pest management professionals. Bed Bugs infestations were common in the United States before World War II. But with improvements in hygiene, and especially the widespread use of DDT during the 1940s and ‘50s, the bugs all but vanished. In recent years, Bed bugs have made a comeback in the U.S. They are increasingly being encountered in homes, apartments, hotel, motels, dormitories, shelters and modes of transport. Immigration and international travel have undoubtedly contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S. Changes in modern pest control practice and less effective bed bug pesticides are other factors suspected for the recurrence.

Description and Habits. Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. It has done so since ancient times. Bed bugs are mentioned in medieval European texts and in classical Greek writings back to the time of Aristotle. Other bed bugs species prefer to feed on wild hosts, especially bats and birds.

Adult bed bugs are about 1/8 inch long and reddish-brown, with oval, flattened bodies. The immature (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color. Bed bugs do not fly, but can move rapidly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in secluded areas, depositing up to five a day and 500 during a lifetime. The eggs are tiny, whitish, and hard to see on most surfaces without magnification (individual eggs are about the size of a dust speck).When first laid, the eggs are sticky, causing them to adhere to substrates. Newly hatched nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable conditions, the bugs can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more generations per year. Cool Temperatures or limited access to a blood meal extends the development time. Bed bugs are resilient. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year. Infestations therefore are unlikely to diminish by leaving premises unoccupied. Although bed bugs prefer feeding on humans, they will also bite other warm blooded animals, including pets.

Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into crevices especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically, these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, molted skins of maturing nymphs and the bugs themselves.

Bed bugs prefer to hide close to where they are feeding. However if necessary, they will crawl more than 100 feet to obtain a blood meal.

Controlling Infestations. Bed bugs are challenging creature to control. Inspections and treatment must be thorough and elimination is not always a certainty. In most case, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a professional pest control firm. Affording access for inspection and treatment is essential, and excess clutter will have to be removed. In some cases, infested mattresses and box springs will need to be discarded.

Many areas other than beds can harbor bed bugs. Nightstands and dressers should be emptied and examined inside and out, then tipped over to inspect the woodwork underneath. Oftentimes the bugs will be hiding in cracks, corners, and other recesses. Upholstered chairs and sofas also should be checked, especially within seams, tufts, skirts and crevices beneath cushions. Sofas can be major bed bugs hotspots when used for sleeping. Like beds, they can be difficult to treat and may need to be discarded. Other common places to find bed bugs including: along and under the edge of wall-to-wall carpeting (especially behind beds and furniture).

The challenge is to find and treat all places where bugs and eggs may be present. Bed bugs tend to congregate in certain areas, but it is common to find an individual or some eggs scattered here and there.

Treatment Procedures. Bed bugs were treated years ago by wholesale spraying of beds, floor, walls, furniture, etc., with DDT. This practice is no longer permitted. Thoroughness is still important, but treatments today are more targeted and judicious. It often takes hours to properly inspect and treat a bed bug infestation, and follow-up visits are usually required.

As mentioned earlier, owners and occupants have important pre-treatment responsibilities. Reducing clutter is a necessity.

While the former measures are helpful, insecticides are important for bed bug elimination. Pest control professionals treat using a variety of low odor sprays, dusts and aerosols. Application entails treating all cracks and crevices where the bugs are discovered or tend to hide.

Throw out the bed? Eliminating bed bugs from mattresses and box springs is especially challenging. If there are holes or tears in the fabric, the bugs and eggs may be inside, as well as outside. There also are restrictions on how beds can be treated with pesticides. For these reasons, pest control firms often recommend that infested beds be discarded. If disposal isn’t an option, encasing the mattress and box spring will be helpful if bugs are still present. Some companies treat seams, tufts, and crevices of bed components, but they usually will not spray the entire mattress surface. They will not spray bed sheets, blankets or clothing. Vacuuming will further help to remove bugs and eggs from mattresses and box springs that cannot be discarded.

Activ Pest & Lawn is a full service pest, lawn and landscape firm. Our certified pest control technicians have vast knowledge and are committed to ridding your home of pests. Specializing in ant control, we inspect and identify all pest infestations and the conducive conditions that may cause them. We make recommendations and formulate a non-intrusive program to rid your home of unwanted guests.

Our quarterly or monthly programs offer 365 day coverage guaranteed! By using safe and odorless continuous barrier applications we rid your home of unwanted invaders. If you are being bugged by unwanted pests call Activ Pest & Lawn at 302-335-1240 in Dover & Milford, or at 302-645-1502 in the beach area. Visit www.activpestandlawninc.com.