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*What are Bed Bugs?*

Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs and their relatives have evolved as nest parasites. Certain kinds inhabit bird nests and bat roosts and await the return of their hosts; others have adapted well to living in the 'nests' (homes) of people.

Hatchling bed bugs are about the size of a poppy seed, and adults are about 1/4 of an inch in length. From above they are oval in shape, but are flattened from top to bottom.

Their color ranges from nearly white (just after molting) or a light tan to a deep brown or burnt orange. The host's blood may appear as a dark red or black mass within the bug's body. Because they never develop wings, bed bugs cannot fly. When disturbed, bed bugs actively seek shelter in dark cracks and crevices.

In the last five years, there has been a resurgence. Bed bugs have become a particular problem in hotels, motels, and hostels where there is a high rate of occupant turnover. Even five star hotels are having problems with bed bugs.

How do I know I have bed bugs?

Although bed bugs can move quickly, if you can find them it should be fairly easy to collect one for identification. During the day, bed bugs tend to hide close to where they feed - for example, where people sleep. Bed bugs do not have nests, but they do tend to gather and hide in routine places. If bed bugs are present, there will be dark spotting and staining on your sheets, mattress, pillow, carpets, and clothing. The staining is from their excrement and blood from crushed insects that have fed.

Some Basic Facts:

" Bed bugs are persistent. Getting rid of them requires persistence.

" Bed bugs can hide in extremely small cracks and crevices making it difficult to locate breeding sites.

" Bed bugs are rarely seen in daylight. They emerge from their hiding spots at night.

" Bed bugs can live a year or longer without food (blood) and thus stay in their hiding places.

" Bed bugs can travel long distances and survive in suitcases, clothing, vehicles, aircraft, cruise ships, and other modes of transportation.

" Bed bug females lay about 300 eggs.
Bed bugs hatch from eggs in 10 days.

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