One of the most worrying when coming from a dream things deep and waking up in the morning is to find small red bite marks above and below the skin.

If you've had this happen then all know too well that there are few errors there do you while it is sleeping. Perhaps you have been traveling in different beds or recently discovered traces of your home, but it is likely that you are dealing with the common bugs (Cimex lectularius). In this article we will discuss some recent history, elimination and detection of bugs in these annoying errors soon and why they are behind.

There are many expressions in the years when it's sleeping. "Sleep tight" that it comes from the medieval period when beds used ropes between the bed rails to hold the mattress. If these were not adjusted your mattress to slide through of the floor. "I slept like a baby" implying that they were quite asleep and that nothing was going to wake him. And of course this one, "do not let the bed bugs bite!" That is of course a reference to these small little oval errors that slip into his bed and proceed to bite you everything in the middle of the night.

Strong synthetic pesticides such as DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) were used to eliminate bed bugs since 1939 in until that DDT was banned. He believed to be causing cancer in humans and animals and poses a threat to wildlife all crop dust, DDT was banned for agricultural use worldwide under the Stockholm Convention in 1972.

However this pesticide was a long way in the eradication of bed bugs and for decades had few if reported no cases of bed bugs along the United States.  The old adage "Not let the bed bugs bite" began to fade from memory much as other common phrases with references to things in society of the past. Unfortunately although bugs do not disappear and are worrying us ever deeper into the 21st century.

The resurgence of bedbugs can today be attributed to various factors. Bed bugs are building the weakest tolerances chemicals used in its management. Travel is also another consideration as more and more people travel between Europe, Asia and North America that can help spread these creatures bit annoying living spaces, hotels and residences abroad. Having a home clean and orderly does not guarantee a space free from bugs, since we know that they can reach clothing, luggage, or anything else that come into contact with. There are some things to look for when trying to determine if you have an infestation of bedbugs.

Bed bugs are nocturnal, meaning that they only leave at night. More specifically when is black because they avoid the light. Detect them can be tricky because if you turn on the lights in a room, you can hide and spread quickly in solemnly fissures or cracks on beds or furniture without being seen.

Try to use a flashlight and avoid movements like this too warning them. If you begin to notice red bite in a pattern or in the same area also is an indication that bed bugs may be present. The visual detection of errors, own bites or see them in the mattress or body shall determine whether it is necessary to begin containment and eradication. Bed bug eggs are quite small almost the size of a grain of salt, very difficult to see. The errors are usually dark in color and about 3/16 of an inch in length and oval shape. You can also view bugs droppings or even small pieces of blood in the affected areas. If there are signs that have them and you are careful you can see them when detecting them carefully with previous methods.

Elimination of bed bugs may try by the primary owner or lessee, but it is actually better that they imply a PMP (Pest Management Professional). They will have more industrial power products that will be able to neutralize the bedbugs. You can also help determine which areas in his home served as a test area for errors especially in walls and motherboards. The PMP can offer suggestions on how to fill cracks in the areas of floor plate and is trained to look for signs of where the bugs come from and what products can be used safely throughout your home to eliminate them. Adult bedbugs can live a year without food and having professional help may be needed to make sure that you are not again. Also, don't be surprised if it is recommended to purchase a new mattress and bed then take other furniture and mattresses current if you actually have an infestation of bed bugs.

If you have bed bugs there have been some different techniques that have evolved over time which may or may not help you in their own situation. The idea of small bugs crawling over it while it is sleeping can be very disturbing and can lead to poor sleep.

Perhaps some of these techniques will help. Some people have used cups of cheese cottage or containers under the legs of metals from their beds and a combination of flypaper and double-sided adhesive tape used to detect errors just as they tracked up. Others recommend the use of neem oil sprayed on carpets, mattresses and bedding to control bed bugs. Neem Oil is made from the neem tree in the India and has been used for hundreds of years as an effective insect control. It has been approved as safe by the FDA for external use. Just make sure that nothing is touching the ground to his bed, as a bed skirt or have your bed pushed against the wall. Do not give the bugs opportunity to find far in his bed.
In this article we look at the ever annoying bugs. We talk about how you were eradicated almost decades ago but has slowly reemerging in homes, hotels and other areas of life in recent years.

We learned that they are nocturnal in nature and come out at night to feed it is the best time to detect them. Signs of bed bugs are bites the skin in nearly six mutually, as well as eggs or excrement that can be in your mattress or close to the sleeping area. Best bed bug removal is handled by a PMP that is trained in the detection and appropriate products to remove an infestation. Also discuss some techniques to manage bed pleading that others have found useful over the years. Just remember, "sleep tight, and don't let the Bedbugs Bite!"

One of the most worrying when coming from a dream things deep and waking up in the morning is to find small red bite marks above and below the skin.

If you've had this happen then all know too well that there are few errors there do you while it is sleeping. Perhaps you have been traveling in different beds or recently discovered traces of your home, but it is likely that you are dealing with the common bugs (Cimex lectularius). In this article we will discuss some recent history, elimination and detection of bugs in these annoying errors soon and why they are behind.

There are many expressions in the years when it's sleeping. "Sleep tight" that it comes from the medieval period when beds used ropes between the bed rails to hold the mattress. If these were not adjusted your mattress to slide through of the floor. "I slept like a baby" implying that they were quite asleep and that nothing was going to wake him. And of course this one, "do not let the bed bugs bite!" That is of course a reference to these small little oval errors that slip into his bed and proceed to bite you everything in the middle of the night.

Strong synthetic pesticides such as DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) were used to eliminate bed bugs since 1939 in until that DDT was banned. He believed to be causing cancer in humans and animals and poses a threat to wildlife all crop dust, DDT was banned for agricultural use worldwide under the Stockholm Convention in 1972.

However this pesticide was a long way in the eradication of bed bugs and for decades had few if reported no cases of bed bugs along the United States.  The old adage "Not let the bed bugs bite" began to fade from memory much as other common phrases with references to things in society of the past. Unfortunately although bugs do not disappear and are worrying us ever deeper into the 21st century.

The resurgence of bedbugs can today be attributed to various factors. Bed bugs are building the weakest tolerances chemicals used in its management. Travel is also another consideration as more and more people travel between Europe, Asia and North America that can help spread these creatures bit annoying living spaces, hotels and residences abroad. Having a home clean and orderly does not guarantee a space free from bugs, since we know that they can reach clothing, luggage, or anything else that come into contact with. There are some things to look for when trying to determine if you have an infestation of bedbugs.

Bed bugs are nocturnal, meaning that they only leave at night. More specifically when is black because they avoid the light. Detect them can be tricky because if you turn on the lights in a room, you can hide and spread quickly in solemnly fissures or cracks on beds or furniture without being seen.

Try to use a flashlight and avoid movements like this too warning them. If you begin to notice red bite in a pattern or in the same area also is an indication that bed bugs may be present. The visual detection of errors, own bites or see them in the mattress or body shall determine whether it is necessary to begin containment and eradication. Bed bug eggs are quite small almost the size of a grain of salt, very difficult to see. The errors are usually dark in color and about 3/16 of an inch in length and oval shape. You can also view bugs droppings or even small pieces of blood in the affected areas. If there are signs that have them and you are careful you can see them when detecting them carefully with previous methods.

Elimination of bed bugs may try by the primary owner or lessee, but it is actually better that they imply a PMP (Pest Management Professional). They will have more industrial power products that will be able to neutralize the bedbugs. You can also help determine which areas in his home served as a test area for errors especially in walls and motherboards. The PMP can offer suggestions on how to fill cracks in the areas of floor plate and is trained to look for signs of where the bugs come from and what products can be used safely throughout your home to eliminate them. Adult bedbugs can live a year without food and having professional help may be needed to make sure that you are not again. Also, don't be surprised if it is recommended to purchase a new mattress and bed then take other furniture and mattresses current if you actually have an infestation of bed bugs.

If you have bed bugs there have been some different techniques that have evolved over time which may or may not help you in their own situation. The idea of small bugs crawling over it while it is sleeping can be very disturbing and can lead to poor sleep.

Perhaps some of these techniques will help. Some people have used cups of cheese cottage or containers under the legs of metals from their beds and a combination of flypaper and double-sided adhesive tape used to detect errors just as they tracked up. Others recommend the use of neem oil sprayed on carpets, mattresses and bedding to control bed bugs. Neem Oil is made from the neem tree in the India and has been used for hundreds of years as an effective insect control. It has been approved as safe by the FDA for external use. Just make sure that nothing is touching the ground to his bed, as a bed skirt or have your bed pushed against the wall. Do not give the bugs opportunity to find far in his bed.
In this article we look at the ever annoying bugs. We talk about how you were eradicated almost decades ago but has slowly reemerging in homes, hotels and other areas of life in recent years.

We learned that they are nocturnal in nature and come out at night to feed it is the best time to detect them. Signs of bed bugs are bites the skin in nearly six mutually, as well as eggs or excrement that can be in your mattress or close to the sleeping area. Best bed bug removal is handled by a PMP that is trained in the detection and appropriate products to remove an infestation. Also discuss some techniques to manage bed pleading that others have found useful over the years. Just remember, "sleep tight, and don't let the Bedbugs Bite!"

Bed bugs are making a comeback nationwide and the pest control industry is seeking new technologies to combat the increasingly pesticide-resistant insects. Cutting-edge technologies at both ends of the temperature spectrum include Cryonite which uses a non-toxic carbon dioxide snow to instantly freeze and kill the noxious pests and giant infrared heaters that raise the temperature in a room and bake the bugs to death.

The University of Minnesota is working on a trap that simulates a sleeping human, the bed bug's favorite meal.
Perhaps the most popular weapon in the bed bug-fighting arsenal - possibly because of its sloppy kisses and wagging tail - is the dog. Dogs, which have been trained to sniff out weapons, arson, drugs, missing persons, termites and cancer, are now being trained to detect and pinpoint bed bugs and their eggs, helping exterminators target treatment areas.

The average dog has 200 to 250 million scent receptors in its nose. Its nasal membranes cover seven square meters. In comparison, human nasal membranes cover barely half a meter and contain only 5 million receptors. A dog's scenting ability is so sensitive it can smell things that can't be detected by the most sensitive scientific instruments. Depending on the dog and its training, a dog's sensitivity to odors is 10 to 100 times greater than man's.

"A dog's nose is cutting-edge technology," Carl Massicott, owner of Connecticut's Advanced K9 Detectives, told the New York Daily News. "Our animals are 100 percent honest and trained to work for food and love instead of profits." It's the dog owners who are raking in the profits. Depending on facility size and travel time, the cost of K-9 bed bug detection is about $200 per hour.

Typically K-9 services provide initial and follow-up detection but not bed bug extermination services. Dogs can help pest control experts determine what areas to treat and in follow-up can indicate whether all bed bugs have been killed.

A trained dog can thoroughly investigate a room and locate bed bug infestations in two to three minutes, less time than it takes a human technician who must rely on visual clues which can require a thorough inspection of the home. Typically, dogs can detect infestations within a three-foot radius but may not be able to narrow it down further. For example, a dog may indicate that bed bugs are under a piece of furniture but be unable to indicate whether the bugs are hiding in furniture joints or floorboard crevices. Dogs are trained to alert their handlers to the presence of bed bugs by swatting a paw or barking. Smaller dogs are favored for their ability to negotiate tight spaces.

Pepe Peruyero, owner of J&K Canine Academy, got started in the pest control business by training dogs to detect termites. A former law enforcement officer who worked with K-9 units in Gainesville, Florida, Peruyero assisted University of Florida entomologists in conducting rigorous scientific tests to determine dogs' ability to detect insects. Those tests confirmed that dogs could detect not only termites, but several other types of insects, including bed bugs, and a business venture was born. Employing the same training techniques used to train drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs, Peruyero was able to develop training and testing standards for bug-sniffing dogs.

Today, business is booming. Last year Peruyero trained just one dog to sniff out bed bugs, but this year he has already trained 15 dogs and has another dozen or so dogs on the waiting list. His is one of only six facilities worldwide that train dogs to detect bed bugs. Training takes five days and includes training the dog's handler. Handler and dog teams must prove themselves in simulated hotel room settings, detecting the presence or absence of bed bugs with 100 percent accuracy before graduation. To prevent dogs from spreading bed bugs while they're working, handlers are taught specific grooming protocols that include brushing, cleaning and drying the dog immediately before and after a job.

Insect detection is a cutting-edge business opportunity. "We realize that bed bugs are on their way to becoming part of our daily lives," said Mary Silverson, vice president of Hunter Detection Services on Florida's Gulf Coast and new owner of one of Peruyero's bed bug-sniffing dogs. Trained pest-detection canines cost around $8,000 and their upkeep, including food, veterinary care, handler's salary and transportation, can range from $80,000 to $100,000 a year. To keep their sniffers sharp, dogs must run through their detection paces every single day.

Bed bugs are tiny, blood-sucking insects that feed on human blood. They are easily spread and difficult to detect as only about 50 percent of the people whose beds they share react to their bites. About the size of an apple seed, bed bugs hide in tiny crevices and cracks.

They are most commonly found in mattresses, box springs, furniture, baseboards, carpeting, floorboards, behind wallpaper, and in electrical outlets near the bed. Although bed bugs are not known to carry disease, the itchy red welts they raise and the emotional toll of knowing you're being nibbled on in your sleep can cause serious mental distress. Their slightly sweet scent, which has been likened to fresh red raspberries or coriander, makes bed bugs a natural for K-9 detection.
Well-trained dogs can enter a room and within two to three minutes alert their handlers to the tiniest trace of bed bugs. Dogs can be trained to tell the difference between live bed bugs, dead ones, cast skins, eggs and even bed bug fecal matter.

Paired with cutting-edge pest extermination, bed bug-sniffing dogs can perform an invaluable service for hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and universities, apartment complexes, military barracks, camps, cruise ships, airlines, and anywhere bed bugs might be a problem. The dogs quickly locate bed bug trouble spots, allowing the pest extermination experts to efficiently target and eliminate bed bug infestations. Dogs can also be used in follow-up procedures after treatment to guarantee that all bed bugs have been killed.

The exclusive Jurys Boston Hotel is one of 10 Boston hotels that uses canine patrols to check its 225 guest rooms for signs of bed bugs. In its nearly four years of operation, Jurys has never had a bed bug incident. Only twice in those four years have the specially trained canine pest hunters barked, apparently detecting the scent of bed bugs or their eggs. In both cases, Jurys took no chances.

They immediately fumigated the room for bed bugs and burned the mattresses. "At the first sign or suggestion of a problem, our reaction would be to treat the room with chemicals, no questions asked," said general manager Stephen Johnston in an interview with The Boston Globe. Johnston calls in the canine patrol for a bed bug inspection every three months.
While guest comfort may be the primary reason hotels contract for pest control, avoiding potential law suits runs a close second. A couple from New Jersey sued the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers last fall after claiming they were bitten by bed bugs during a two-night stay.

Another couple who suffered a similar experience sued the Sheraton Four Points in San Francisco. It takes just one unwitting bed bug-carrying guest to infect a hotel room. Adept hitchhikers, bed bugs can be carried into a hotel or home on clothing, suitcases, linens and used furniture.

The National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association was formed to develop and set training and certification standards for bed bug-sniffing dogs. Before you hire a K-9 patrol, ask the following questions:
Is the dog certified?
Can it differentiate between living and dead bugs?
Can it sniff out eggs?
How are the dog's findings validated?
Remember, finding bed bugs is just the first step. Exterminating them is what's important.

Bed bugs are making a comeback nationwide and the pest control industry is seeking new technologies to combat the increasingly pesticide-resistant insects. Cutting-edge technologies at both ends of the temperature spectrum include Cryonite which uses a non-toxic carbon dioxide snow to instantly freeze and kill the noxious pests and giant infrared heaters that raise the temperature in a room and bake the bugs to death.

The University of Minnesota is working on a trap that simulates a sleeping human, the bed bug's favorite meal.
Perhaps the most popular weapon in the bed bug-fighting arsenal - possibly because of its sloppy kisses and wagging tail - is the dog. Dogs, which have been trained to sniff out weapons, arson, drugs, missing persons, termites and cancer, are now being trained to detect and pinpoint bed bugs and their eggs, helping exterminators target treatment areas.

The average dog has 200 to 250 million scent receptors in its nose. Its nasal membranes cover seven square meters. In comparison, human nasal membranes cover barely half a meter and contain only 5 million receptors. A dog's scenting ability is so sensitive it can smell things that can't be detected by the most sensitive scientific instruments. Depending on the dog and its training, a dog's sensitivity to odors is 10 to 100 times greater than man's.

"A dog's nose is cutting-edge technology," Carl Massicott, owner of Connecticut's Advanced K9 Detectives, told the New York Daily News. "Our animals are 100 percent honest and trained to work for food and love instead of profits." It's the dog owners who are raking in the profits. Depending on facility size and travel time, the cost of K-9 bed bug detection is about $200 per hour.

Typically K-9 services provide initial and follow-up detection but not bed bug extermination services. Dogs can help pest control experts determine what areas to treat and in follow-up can indicate whether all bed bugs have been killed.

A trained dog can thoroughly investigate a room and locate bed bug infestations in two to three minutes, less time than it takes a human technician who must rely on visual clues which can require a thorough inspection of the home. Typically, dogs can detect infestations within a three-foot radius but may not be able to narrow it down further. For example, a dog may indicate that bed bugs are under a piece of furniture but be unable to indicate whether the bugs are hiding in furniture joints or floorboard crevices. Dogs are trained to alert their handlers to the presence of bed bugs by swatting a paw or barking. Smaller dogs are favored for their ability to negotiate tight spaces.

Pepe Peruyero, owner of J&K Canine Academy, got started in the pest control business by training dogs to detect termites. A former law enforcement officer who worked with K-9 units in Gainesville, Florida, Peruyero assisted University of Florida entomologists in conducting rigorous scientific tests to determine dogs' ability to detect insects. Those tests confirmed that dogs could detect not only termites, but several other types of insects, including bed bugs, and a business venture was born. Employing the same training techniques used to train drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs, Peruyero was able to develop training and testing standards for bug-sniffing dogs.

Today, business is booming. Last year Peruyero trained just one dog to sniff out bed bugs, but this year he has already trained 15 dogs and has another dozen or so dogs on the waiting list. His is one of only six facilities worldwide that train dogs to detect bed bugs. Training takes five days and includes training the dog's handler. Handler and dog teams must prove themselves in simulated hotel room settings, detecting the presence or absence of bed bugs with 100 percent accuracy before graduation. To prevent dogs from spreading bed bugs while they're working, handlers are taught specific grooming protocols that include brushing, cleaning and drying the dog immediately before and after a job.

Insect detection is a cutting-edge business opportunity. "We realize that bed bugs are on their way to becoming part of our daily lives," said Mary Silverson, vice president of Hunter Detection Services on Florida's Gulf Coast and new owner of one of Peruyero's bed bug-sniffing dogs. Trained pest-detection canines cost around $8,000 and their upkeep, including food, veterinary care, handler's salary and transportation, can range from $80,000 to $100,000 a year. To keep their sniffers sharp, dogs must run through their detection paces every single day.

Bed bugs are tiny, blood-sucking insects that feed on human blood. They are easily spread and difficult to detect as only about 50 percent of the people whose beds they share react to their bites. About the size of an apple seed, bed bugs hide in tiny crevices and cracks.

They are most commonly found in mattresses, box springs, furniture, baseboards, carpeting, floorboards, behind wallpaper, and in electrical outlets near the bed. Although bed bugs are not known to carry disease, the itchy red welts they raise and the emotional toll of knowing you're being nibbled on in your sleep can cause serious mental distress. Their slightly sweet scent, which has been likened to fresh red raspberries or coriander, makes bed bugs a natural for K-9 detection.
Well-trained dogs can enter a room and within two to three minutes alert their handlers to the tiniest trace of bed bugs. Dogs can be trained to tell the difference between live bed bugs, dead ones, cast skins, eggs and even bed bug fecal matter.

Paired with cutting-edge pest extermination, bed bug-sniffing dogs can perform an invaluable service for hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and universities, apartment complexes, military barracks, camps, cruise ships, airlines, and anywhere bed bugs might be a problem. The dogs quickly locate bed bug trouble spots, allowing the pest extermination experts to efficiently target and eliminate bed bug infestations. Dogs can also be used in follow-up procedures after treatment to guarantee that all bed bugs have been killed.

The exclusive Jurys Boston Hotel is one of 10 Boston hotels that uses canine patrols to check its 225 guest rooms for signs of bed bugs. In its nearly four years of operation, Jurys has never had a bed bug incident. Only twice in those four years have the specially trained canine pest hunters barked, apparently detecting the scent of bed bugs or their eggs. In both cases, Jurys took no chances.

They immediately fumigated the room for bed bugs and burned the mattresses. "At the first sign or suggestion of a problem, our reaction would be to treat the room with chemicals, no questions asked," said general manager Stephen Johnston in an interview with The Boston Globe. Johnston calls in the canine patrol for a bed bug inspection every three months.
While guest comfort may be the primary reason hotels contract for pest control, avoiding potential law suits runs a close second. A couple from New Jersey sued the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers last fall after claiming they were bitten by bed bugs during a two-night stay.

Another couple who suffered a similar experience sued the Sheraton Four Points in San Francisco. It takes just one unwitting bed bug-carrying guest to infect a hotel room. Adept hitchhikers, bed bugs can be carried into a hotel or home on clothing, suitcases, linens and used furniture.

The National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association was formed to develop and set training and certification standards for bed bug-sniffing dogs. Before you hire a K-9 patrol, ask the following questions:
Is the dog certified?
Can it differentiate between living and dead bugs?
Can it sniff out eggs?
How are the dog's findings validated?
Remember, finding bed bugs is just the first step. Exterminating them is what's important.

A Brief History

Bed bugs have been documented as pests since the 17th century and were introduced to this country by the early colonists. They were common in the United States prior to World War II, after which time widespread use of synthetic insecticides such as DDT greatly reduced their numbers. Improvements in household and personal cleanliness, as well as increased regulation of the used furniture market, also likely contributed to their reduced pest status.

In the past decade, bed bugs have begun making a comeback across the United States. The widespread use of baits rather than insecticide sprays for ant and cockroach control is a factor that has been implicated in their return. International travel and commerce are thought to facilitate the spread of these insect hitchhikers, because eggs, young, and adult bed bugs are readily transported in luggage, clothing, bedding, and furniture. Bed bugs can infest airplanes, ships, trains, and buses. Bed bugs are most frequently found in dwellings with a high rate of occupant turnover, such as hotels, motels, hostels, dormitories, shelters, apartment complexes, tenements, and prisons. Such infestations usually are not a reflection of poor hygiene or bad housekeeping.

The 'New' Old Threat
What are the risks? As insects go, bed bugs are technically more of a nuisance than a danger, and have not been shown to be capable of transferring disease from person to person. Unfortunately this fact does nothing to reduce the potentially huge negative impact on those affected. Even in cases of minor infestations, people bitten may receive numerous bites over a few nights before they determine what is causing them. Depending on the sensitivity of an individual, the effect of these bites can range from small red dots to large welts that itch and may become irritated and infected when scratched.

How big is the rise? Quantifying this resurgence is difficult, there is no national database where information is stored and individuals and businesses are understandably reluctant to openly share their experiences... Would you stay in a hotel that admitted they had a bed bug problem? The available data does not look good. Nationwide; there was a 19% increase in bedbug complaints during an 18-month stretch from summer 2003 to winter 2004, according to a March 2005 survey by Pest Control Technology magazine.

New York has attracted significant attention in recent years. While there is no official tally of bedbug complaints in New York City, pest control experts and scientists say the city is in the midst of a serious outbreak. Tom Nimetz, who has run Better Pest Control Management in Brooklyn for 35 years, said he has been called to more than 500 bed bug jobs in the last two years, up from one or two cases in a year.
 
New York was also the focus of national media attention in 2003 when a Mexican businessman sued the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel after he and a companion allegedly suffered numerous bed bug bites to their torsos, arms and necks while staying at the property, which overlooks Central Park. Helmsley Enterprises Inc., the owner of the hotel, settled the suit quietly in 2004. Stopping short of confirming bed bugs had been a problem, Howard Rubenstein, a company spokesman, said the hotel had not had any problems with bed bugs since the lawsuit.

The scale of the problem in New York can be further qualified by the efforts of New York City Council member Gale Brewer. In May 2005 Council member Brewer introduced legislation that would represent a major gain in the City's fight against a growing bed bug infestation. In addition to banning the sale of reconditioned mattresses, Brewer's legislation would create a Bed Bug Task Force that would be responsible for monitoring the scope of this dynamic problem and developing the long-term policy solutions needed to curb the spread of this infestation.

"Bed bugs are already a huge threat to New York City residents, and have a real potential to be a menace to the City's economy," said Brewer. Yes, OK, but what about me? Within the United States pest control companies have reported increasing bed bug activity on a national scale. Orkin, one of North America's largest and most experienced pest control companies reports having dealt with bed bugs in 47 states and is estimating a 25-30% increase in bed bug infestations over the next four to five years. Even without definitive data on the rise of bed bugs, one thing is certain. If your business involves transient people, furniture or accommodations, you will have to deal with this problem at some point -- and probably sooner rather than later.

Do I have them already and how would I know? Even though bed bugs are small, approximately 1/5th of an inch long, about the size of a lady bug, they can be readily seen with the naked eye. They are wingless, oval and flattened in appearance and crawl at a steady rate. They are rusty red or mahogany in color. Nymphs (young) appear identical to the adults except for their smaller size, and a lighter, yellowish white color. Eggs are white and are about 1/32 inch long. Newly hatched bugs are nearly colorless.

Bed bugs are active at night when they leave their daytime resting place in cracks and crevices to seek out human blood. By checking the bed linen in the middle of the night you have the best opportunity to find bed bugs on the move. Bed bug bites are normally two or three in a row and often blood spots are deposited on the sheeting. Any nearby crack or crevice can serve as a daytime refuge for bed bugs. Look for bed bugs under folds in mattresses, along seams and in between bedposts and bed slats. When large numbers of bed bugs are present, they produce a distinctive pungent odor. Numerous dark fecal spots on linen or near cracks are another indication of a bed bug infestation.

Dealing With Them
As with most pest issues, the goal is to act fast and be thorough. Enlist the services of a reputable pest control professional with experience dealing specifically with bed bugs. According to Stoy Hedges, B.C.E., Manager of Technical Services for Terminix, "Terminix has seen a significant increase in bed bug calls over the past few years with the bugs now showing up in single family homes. This insect is difficult to control and requires the expertise of an experienced pest control company."

Treatment Normally Involves the Following Steps:

1. Complete a thorough inspection of areas suspected of infestation. This should include furniture, bedding, personal belongings, and surrounding 1. Complete and thorough inspection of areas suspected of infestation. This should include furniture, bedding, personal belongings, and surrounding structures.
2. Treatment of all infected areas and items.
3. The application of IGR's (Insect Growth Regulators), which are residual chemicals that help reduce the risk of further infestation.
4. Follow-up inspections and treatment if necessary.
While this procedure seems pretty basic and similar to what you might expect for other insect pests, the difference really comes in when working directly with the customer.

The 'Gross' Factor. The 'gross' factor is extremely high with this issue. If comments like these are not enough to convince you, "I'm repulsed, I'm horrified and I'm disgusted," said a mother of three, who lives in an upscale building in Jackson Heights, Queens, where bed bugs have spread to 26 apartments, a quick surf on the world wide web should do it, with high dollar lawsuits being filed more and more frequently.
Policies, Procedures, and Liability Issues

With lawsuits in excess of $20 million having been filed, liability is a major concern. While you may not be able to stop yourself from being sued you can certainly go a long way to protecting yourself by dealing with any problems in an educated and consistent manner.

1. Develop and maintain a comprehensive company policy. At a minimum, this policy should clearly outline your company's stance with respect to the problem, training, responsibilities, and customer relations.

2. Develop and maintain concise and well thought out procedures that deal with your most likely scenarios. Even though each situation you deal with will be different, knowing what to do in the most common situations will give you a baseline.

3. Train your staff. The best policies and procedures mean nothing if they are not common knowledge and common practice. Thorough training and strict enforcement send a strong message to customers and employees alike. That message is, "We are dealing with this issue, and you are part of the solution."

A Brief History

Bed bugs have been documented as pests since the 17th century and were introduced to this country by the early colonists. They were common in the United States prior to World War II, after which time widespread use of synthetic insecticides such as DDT greatly reduced their numbers. Improvements in household and personal cleanliness, as well as increased regulation of the used furniture market, also likely contributed to their reduced pest status.

In the past decade, bed bugs have begun making a comeback across the United States. The widespread use of baits rather than insecticide sprays for ant and cockroach control is a factor that has been implicated in their return. International travel and commerce are thought to facilitate the spread of these insect hitchhikers, because eggs, young, and adult bed bugs are readily transported in luggage, clothing, bedding, and furniture. Bed bugs can infest airplanes, ships, trains, and buses. Bed bugs are most frequently found in dwellings with a high rate of occupant turnover, such as hotels, motels, hostels, dormitories, shelters, apartment complexes, tenements, and prisons. Such infestations usually are not a reflection of poor hygiene or bad housekeeping.

The 'New' Old Threat
What are the risks? As insects go, bed bugs are technically more of a nuisance than a danger, and have not been shown to be capable of transferring disease from person to person. Unfortunately this fact does nothing to reduce the potentially huge negative impact on those affected. Even in cases of minor infestations, people bitten may receive numerous bites over a few nights before they determine what is causing them. Depending on the sensitivity of an individual, the effect of these bites can range from small red dots to large welts that itch and may become irritated and infected when scratched.

How big is the rise? Quantifying this resurgence is difficult, there is no national database where information is stored and individuals and businesses are understandably reluctant to openly share their experiences... Would you stay in a hotel that admitted they had a bed bug problem? The available data does not look good. Nationwide; there was a 19% increase in bedbug complaints during an 18-month stretch from summer 2003 to winter 2004, according to a March 2005 survey by Pest Control Technology magazine.

New York has attracted significant attention in recent years. While there is no official tally of bedbug complaints in New York City, pest control experts and scientists say the city is in the midst of a serious outbreak. Tom Nimetz, who has run Better Pest Control Management in Brooklyn for 35 years, said he has been called to more than 500 bed bug jobs in the last two years, up from one or two cases in a year.
 
New York was also the focus of national media attention in 2003 when a Mexican businessman sued the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel after he and a companion allegedly suffered numerous bed bug bites to their torsos, arms and necks while staying at the property, which overlooks Central Park. Helmsley Enterprises Inc., the owner of the hotel, settled the suit quietly in 2004. Stopping short of confirming bed bugs had been a problem, Howard Rubenstein, a company spokesman, said the hotel had not had any problems with bed bugs since the lawsuit.

The scale of the problem in New York can be further qualified by the efforts of New York City Council member Gale Brewer. In May 2005 Council member Brewer introduced legislation that would represent a major gain in the City's fight against a growing bed bug infestation. In addition to banning the sale of reconditioned mattresses, Brewer's legislation would create a Bed Bug Task Force that would be responsible for monitoring the scope of this dynamic problem and developing the long-term policy solutions needed to curb the spread of this infestation.

"Bed bugs are already a huge threat to New York City residents, and have a real potential to be a menace to the City's economy," said Brewer. Yes, OK, but what about me? Within the United States pest control companies have reported increasing bed bug activity on a national scale. Orkin, one of North America's largest and most experienced pest control companies reports having dealt with bed bugs in 47 states and is estimating a 25-30% increase in bed bug infestations over the next four to five years. Even without definitive data on the rise of bed bugs, one thing is certain. If your business involves transient people, furniture or accommodations, you will have to deal with this problem at some point -- and probably sooner rather than later.

Do I have them already and how would I know? Even though bed bugs are small, approximately 1/5th of an inch long, about the size of a lady bug, they can be readily seen with the naked eye. They are wingless, oval and flattened in appearance and crawl at a steady rate. They are rusty red or mahogany in color. Nymphs (young) appear identical to the adults except for their smaller size, and a lighter, yellowish white color. Eggs are white and are about 1/32 inch long. Newly hatched bugs are nearly colorless.

Bed bugs are active at night when they leave their daytime resting place in cracks and crevices to seek out human blood. By checking the bed linen in the middle of the night you have the best opportunity to find bed bugs on the move. Bed bug bites are normally two or three in a row and often blood spots are deposited on the sheeting. Any nearby crack or crevice can serve as a daytime refuge for bed bugs. Look for bed bugs under folds in mattresses, along seams and in between bedposts and bed slats. When large numbers of bed bugs are present, they produce a distinctive pungent odor. Numerous dark fecal spots on linen or near cracks are another indication of a bed bug infestation.

Dealing With Them
As with most pest issues, the goal is to act fast and be thorough. Enlist the services of a reputable pest control professional with experience dealing specifically with bed bugs. According to Stoy Hedges, B.C.E., Manager of Technical Services for Terminix, "Terminix has seen a significant increase in bed bug calls over the past few years with the bugs now showing up in single family homes. This insect is difficult to control and requires the expertise of an experienced pest control company."

Treatment Normally Involves the Following Steps:

1. Complete a thorough inspection of areas suspected of infestation. This should include furniture, bedding, personal belongings, and surrounding 1. Complete and thorough inspection of areas suspected of infestation. This should include furniture, bedding, personal belongings, and surrounding structures.
2. Treatment of all infected areas and items.
3. The application of IGR's (Insect Growth Regulators), which are residual chemicals that help reduce the risk of further infestation.
4. Follow-up inspections and treatment if necessary.
While this procedure seems pretty basic and similar to what you might expect for other insect pests, the difference really comes in when working directly with the customer.

The 'Gross' Factor. The 'gross' factor is extremely high with this issue. If comments like these are not enough to convince you, "I'm repulsed, I'm horrified and I'm disgusted," said a mother of three, who lives in an upscale building in Jackson Heights, Queens, where bed bugs have spread to 26 apartments, a quick surf on the world wide web should do it, with high dollar lawsuits being filed more and more frequently.
Policies, Procedures, and Liability Issues

With lawsuits in excess of $20 million having been filed, liability is a major concern. While you may not be able to stop yourself from being sued you can certainly go a long way to protecting yourself by dealing with any problems in an educated and consistent manner.

1. Develop and maintain a comprehensive company policy. At a minimum, this policy should clearly outline your company's stance with respect to the problem, training, responsibilities, and customer relations.

2. Develop and maintain concise and well thought out procedures that deal with your most likely scenarios. Even though each situation you deal with will be different, knowing what to do in the most common situations will give you a baseline.

3. Train your staff. The best policies and procedures mean nothing if they are not common knowledge and common practice. Thorough training and strict enforcement send a strong message to customers and employees alike. That message is, "We are dealing with this issue, and you are part of the solution."

An ancient human scourge has returned to cause panic among home and property owners, home buyers and Realtors. Bed bugs have invaded every state in the U.S. and reports of infestations have increased exponentially nationwide over the past few years.

In a national survey of pest control companies conducted by noted bed bug authority Michael Potter for Pest Management Professional, Potter found, "A whopping 91% of respondents reported their organizations had encountered bed bug infestations in the past two years. Only 37% said they encountered bed bugs more than 5 years ago."

Until a few years ago, most pest control companies said it was unusual to receive even one or two calls a year about bed bugs. Since 2004, however, bed bug complaints have grown exponentially with pest control companies nationwide now averaging between 10 and 50 calls a week. In major metropolitan areas, some companies are fielding 100 or more bed bug complaints each week. Some experts are predicting that 2008 will be the Year of the Bed Bug. Cindy Mannes, spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association, said bed bugs have become a serious problem in every state, noting, "There are some who call it the pest of the 21st century."

Bed bugs are an equal opportunity pest. Infestations have occurred across the country in the tony co-ops of the rich and famous, in fashionable condominiums, in luxury apartments and in upscale suburban homes. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not caused by filth or dirt. Like lice and fleas, bed bugs are creatures of convenience. A nuisance insect, they are not known to carry disease, but they can cause considerable discomfort, both mental and physical.

All but eradicated in the U.S. following World War II, the banning of powerful DDT-based pesticides, coupled with increased international travel, has brought about a nationwide resurgence of the annoying insect. Potter, an urban entomologist at the University of Kentucky, calls bed bugs the pre-eminent household pest in the U.S., on a par with cockroaches and rats. "This is one serious issue," he recently told the New York Times. "This will be the pest of the 21st century - no questions about it."

If you're buying a house or looking for a new condo or apartment, take to heart the old adage Buyer Beware. You may be moving into a home that has been invaded by bed bugs. Most states require home sellers to provide buyers with an accurate statement disclosing the property's condition, including pest infestations. However, there are loopholes that should serve as a red flag to home buyers and their Realtors.

Most real estate disclosure statements are fairly broad and do not specifically ask about bed bug infestations. If any pest disclosure is specified, it's likely to be termites. Because bed bugs haven't been a problem in the United States for so many decades, few current state or municipal codes address them specifically. In many states, sellers can choose not to fill out the disclosure statement and instead pay a penalty which is credited to the buyer. For sellers with a bed bug problem, a several hundred dollar penalty may seem an acceptable price for making the sale.

Buyers and Realtors should be aware that real estate disclosure laws that apply to home sales often don't apply to co-op and condo owners. Before you buy, check with the local building and health departments to find out what the regulations are in your area. Although some states are now considering adding specific bed bug regulations to their realty laws, at this point common law is generally on the side of the seller. As real estate attorney Edward Sumber of New York told the New York Times, "Under the doctrine of caveat emptor - let the buyer beware - the seller has no affirmative obligation to reveal circumstances about the apartment to the buyer."

However, disclosure laws in most states require the seller to answer honestly if specifically asked whether his home or apartment has been infected by bed bugs or other pests. Additionally, real estate brokers are usually obligated to reveal a bed bug problem to the buyer if they know about it. Unfortunately, in most states sellers are not required to tell their real estate brokers about bed bug problems. Essentially, that means buyers must rely on the integrity of sellers and landlords anxious to make a sale.
Many buyers shopping for a new home, apartment or condominium are now hiring a pest control company with an expertise in bed bug elimination to inspect the property before they buy. Some Realtors are recommending that sellers have their homes inspected for bed bugs before putting them on the market as both a reassurance and inducement to buyers.

What are bed bugs?
Evolved from bird and bat nest parasites, Climex lectaularius, the common bed bug, is a tiny nocturnal insect that hides in dark crevices during the day and feeds on human blood during the night. Their oval bodies are flattened and wingless and a light to reddish-brown in color. Adult bed bugs are 1/4 to 3/8 inch long or about the size of an apple seed. Before feeding, the bed bugs are as flat as paper, becoming dark red and bloated with blood as they feed, much like a tick. As they puncture the skin to feed -- usually for 3 to 10 minutes -- they eject an anesthetic that can cause an allergic reaction and the symptomatic itchy, red welts that bedevil their hosts. However, welts may take a day or two to develop and not all bed bug sufferers react to their bites, which can delay detection.

A female bed bug can produce up to 500 eggs during its average one-year lifespan, laying about 5 eggs per day. Difficult to detect without magnification, the eggs are whitish, pear-shaped and about the size of a pinhead. The female lays her sticky eggs in bedding and carpets or cements them into cracks and crevices near the bed to ensure a food source when the nymphs hatch. Nymphs, which are lighter in color and look like slightly smaller adults, hatch in 4 to 12 days and begin to feed immediately. Bed bugs progress through five nymphal stages, molting after each stage. The whitish carapaces they shed are a telltale sign of bed bug infestation. It takes 5 to 8 weeks for nymphs to reach maturity. Since several generations of bed bugs can be produced in a year, all stages of growth can be found in an infested room.

Bed bugs feed every 3 to 5 days and must feed at least once to develop to the next stage and to reproduce. They often void while feeding, leaving telltale rusty or tarry spots on sheets and in hiding places. Bed bugs can survive for 1 to 7 months without a blood meal and have been known to live in an abandoned house for as long as a year. They give off a distinctive musty, sweet odor often likened to ripe red raspberries or coriander.
Bed bugs will readily travel 10 to 15 feet to feed but have been observed traveling more than 100 feet from their established harborage to feed on a host. Once established, infestations can spread rapidly to adjoining rooms or units through crawl spaces, wall voids and electrical and plumbing conduits. Adept hitchhikers, bed bugs can easily enter your home on clothing, bedding, luggage, used furniture, cardboard boxes, etc. They can be brought home from a hotel stay or by sitting in a car, cab, bus, train or plane recently inhabited by an infested person.

What to look for
Bed bugs may be tiny but they leave telltale traces. Look most closely near beds and in bedrooms where bed bugs feed. Look for these telltale signs of bed bug activity:

A heavily infested room may have a characteristic musty or sweet odor like the scent of fresh red raspberries or coriander; however, the odor may not be obvious.
Look for active, crawling bugs on bed linens, carpet and furniture near the bed.
Look for dark fecal and blood stains on bed linens; carpets and carpet welting; and in the seams, creases, tufts and folds of mattresses and box springs.
You should also look for fecal smears or pea-sized pearly egg deposits behind headboards; along baseboards and door and window casings; around electrical plates; in plaster cracks; and under loose wallpaper, paintings and posters.
Look for whitish nymph molts and old exoskeletons under area rugs, at the edges of carpets, and in under-the-bed storage containers.
Beware of bats in the attic or eaves. Quite often bed bugs feeding on bats in the attic of a house will migrate to the living area in search of an easier food source, humans.

Buyer beware!
Bites, odor and voiding smears are indicators of a bed bug problem. However, these insects often go undetected when symptoms are not obvious. Bed bugs are also easily confused with other nuisance bugs like carpet beetles, bird and rodent mites, shiny spider beetles, parasitic wasps, even lint by the more paranoid, making definitive diagnosis a job for bed bug experts.

Before you buy a new home, ask the owner if there has ever been a bed bug problem. In co-ops, condos, apartments and any multi-unit residence, ask the property owner whether bed bugs have been reported in any unit. Before they buy, many home buyers are now requiring a pest inspection by a bed bug expert in addition to the traditional home inspection. When it's buyer beware, it makes sense to protect yourself.

An ancient human scourge has returned to cause panic among home and property owners, home buyers and Realtors. Bed bugs have invaded every state in the U.S. and reports of infestations have increased exponentially nationwide over the past few years.

In a national survey of pest control companies conducted by noted bed bug authority Michael Potter for Pest Management Professional, Potter found, "A whopping 91% of respondents reported their organizations had encountered bed bug infestations in the past two years. Only 37% said they encountered bed bugs more than 5 years ago."

Until a few years ago, most pest control companies said it was unusual to receive even one or two calls a year about bed bugs. Since 2004, however, bed bug complaints have grown exponentially with pest control companies nationwide now averaging between 10 and 50 calls a week. In major metropolitan areas, some companies are fielding 100 or more bed bug complaints each week. Some experts are predicting that 2008 will be the Year of the Bed Bug. Cindy Mannes, spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association, said bed bugs have become a serious problem in every state, noting, "There are some who call it the pest of the 21st century."

Bed bugs are an equal opportunity pest. Infestations have occurred across the country in the tony co-ops of the rich and famous, in fashionable condominiums, in luxury apartments and in upscale suburban homes. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not caused by filth or dirt. Like lice and fleas, bed bugs are creatures of convenience. A nuisance insect, they are not known to carry disease, but they can cause considerable discomfort, both mental and physical.

All but eradicated in the U.S. following World War II, the banning of powerful DDT-based pesticides, coupled with increased international travel, has brought about a nationwide resurgence of the annoying insect. Potter, an urban entomologist at the University of Kentucky, calls bed bugs the pre-eminent household pest in the U.S., on a par with cockroaches and rats. "This is one serious issue," he recently told the New York Times. "This will be the pest of the 21st century - no questions about it."

If you're buying a house or looking for a new condo or apartment, take to heart the old adage Buyer Beware. You may be moving into a home that has been invaded by bed bugs. Most states require home sellers to provide buyers with an accurate statement disclosing the property's condition, including pest infestations. However, there are loopholes that should serve as a red flag to home buyers and their Realtors.

Most real estate disclosure statements are fairly broad and do not specifically ask about bed bug infestations. If any pest disclosure is specified, it's likely to be termites. Because bed bugs haven't been a problem in the United States for so many decades, few current state or municipal codes address them specifically. In many states, sellers can choose not to fill out the disclosure statement and instead pay a penalty which is credited to the buyer. For sellers with a bed bug problem, a several hundred dollar penalty may seem an acceptable price for making the sale.

Buyers and Realtors should be aware that real estate disclosure laws that apply to home sales often don't apply to co-op and condo owners. Before you buy, check with the local building and health departments to find out what the regulations are in your area. Although some states are now considering adding specific bed bug regulations to their realty laws, at this point common law is generally on the side of the seller. As real estate attorney Edward Sumber of New York told the New York Times, "Under the doctrine of caveat emptor - let the buyer beware - the seller has no affirmative obligation to reveal circumstances about the apartment to the buyer."

However, disclosure laws in most states require the seller to answer honestly if specifically asked whether his home or apartment has been infected by bed bugs or other pests. Additionally, real estate brokers are usually obligated to reveal a bed bug problem to the buyer if they know about it. Unfortunately, in most states sellers are not required to tell their real estate brokers about bed bug problems. Essentially, that means buyers must rely on the integrity of sellers and landlords anxious to make a sale.
Many buyers shopping for a new home, apartment or condominium are now hiring a pest control company with an expertise in bed bug elimination to inspect the property before they buy. Some Realtors are recommending that sellers have their homes inspected for bed bugs before putting them on the market as both a reassurance and inducement to buyers.

What are bed bugs?
Evolved from bird and bat nest parasites, Climex lectaularius, the common bed bug, is a tiny nocturnal insect that hides in dark crevices during the day and feeds on human blood during the night. Their oval bodies are flattened and wingless and a light to reddish-brown in color. Adult bed bugs are 1/4 to 3/8 inch long or about the size of an apple seed. Before feeding, the bed bugs are as flat as paper, becoming dark red and bloated with blood as they feed, much like a tick. As they puncture the skin to feed -- usually for 3 to 10 minutes -- they eject an anesthetic that can cause an allergic reaction and the symptomatic itchy, red welts that bedevil their hosts. However, welts may take a day or two to develop and not all bed bug sufferers react to their bites, which can delay detection.

A female bed bug can produce up to 500 eggs during its average one-year lifespan, laying about 5 eggs per day. Difficult to detect without magnification, the eggs are whitish, pear-shaped and about the size of a pinhead. The female lays her sticky eggs in bedding and carpets or cements them into cracks and crevices near the bed to ensure a food source when the nymphs hatch. Nymphs, which are lighter in color and look like slightly smaller adults, hatch in 4 to 12 days and begin to feed immediately. Bed bugs progress through five nymphal stages, molting after each stage. The whitish carapaces they shed are a telltale sign of bed bug infestation. It takes 5 to 8 weeks for nymphs to reach maturity. Since several generations of bed bugs can be produced in a year, all stages of growth can be found in an infested room.

Bed bugs feed every 3 to 5 days and must feed at least once to develop to the next stage and to reproduce. They often void while feeding, leaving telltale rusty or tarry spots on sheets and in hiding places. Bed bugs can survive for 1 to 7 months without a blood meal and have been known to live in an abandoned house for as long as a year. They give off a distinctive musty, sweet odor often likened to ripe red raspberries or coriander.
Bed bugs will readily travel 10 to 15 feet to feed but have been observed traveling more than 100 feet from their established harborage to feed on a host. Once established, infestations can spread rapidly to adjoining rooms or units through crawl spaces, wall voids and electrical and plumbing conduits. Adept hitchhikers, bed bugs can easily enter your home on clothing, bedding, luggage, used furniture, cardboard boxes, etc. They can be brought home from a hotel stay or by sitting in a car, cab, bus, train or plane recently inhabited by an infested person.

What to look for
Bed bugs may be tiny but they leave telltale traces. Look most closely near beds and in bedrooms where bed bugs feed. Look for these telltale signs of bed bug activity:

A heavily infested room may have a characteristic musty or sweet odor like the scent of fresh red raspberries or coriander; however, the odor may not be obvious.
Look for active, crawling bugs on bed linens, carpet and furniture near the bed.
Look for dark fecal and blood stains on bed linens; carpets and carpet welting; and in the seams, creases, tufts and folds of mattresses and box springs.
You should also look for fecal smears or pea-sized pearly egg deposits behind headboards; along baseboards and door and window casings; around electrical plates; in plaster cracks; and under loose wallpaper, paintings and posters.
Look for whitish nymph molts and old exoskeletons under area rugs, at the edges of carpets, and in under-the-bed storage containers.
Beware of bats in the attic or eaves. Quite often bed bugs feeding on bats in the attic of a house will migrate to the living area in search of an easier food source, humans.

Buyer beware!
Bites, odor and voiding smears are indicators of a bed bug problem. However, these insects often go undetected when symptoms are not obvious. Bed bugs are also easily confused with other nuisance bugs like carpet beetles, bird and rodent mites, shiny spider beetles, parasitic wasps, even lint by the more paranoid, making definitive diagnosis a job for bed bug experts.

Before you buy a new home, ask the owner if there has ever been a bed bug problem. In co-ops, condos, apartments and any multi-unit residence, ask the property owner whether bed bugs have been reported in any unit. Before they buy, many home buyers are now requiring a pest inspection by a bed bug expert in addition to the traditional home inspection. When it's buyer beware, it makes sense to protect yourself.

Soft cotton-like Evolon? ? fabric protects against allergens, mites and bed bugs. German engineered and medically approved for anti-mite protection. Liquid accidents don't disperse but pool on the fabric. It?s filtering barrier comes from a dense compact fiber structure that?s breathable but strong. Because the fabric (not chemicals) protects you, there?s no stiff rustle sound.

Washing doesn't remove its effectiveness and makes the fabric softer. Locking zippers on the encasement guarantee security and efficiency. Construction of our encasement are controlled at our American plant. Our products come with a 10 year guarantee.

Evolon production is also environmentally friendly with numerous health and environment awards to its manufacturer. For best protection, encase all pillows, mattresses and box springs on your bed. Use ELF for Bugs Spray to eliminate insects naturally


Click Here for a Special Discount Price from Amazon

Soft cotton-like Evolon? ? fabric protects against allergens, mites and bed bugs. German engineered and medically approved for anti-mite protection. Liquid accidents don't disperse but pool on the fabric. It?s filtering barrier comes from a dense compact fiber structure that?s breathable but strong. Because the fabric (not chemicals) protects you, there?s no stiff rustle sound.

Washing doesn't remove its effectiveness and makes the fabric softer. Locking zippers on the encasement guarantee security and efficiency. Construction of our encasement are controlled at our American plant. Our products come with a 10 year guarantee.

Evolon production is also environmentally friendly with numerous health and environment awards to its manufacturer. For best protection, encase all pillows, mattresses and box springs on your bed. Use ELF for Bugs Spray to eliminate insects naturally


Click Here for a Special Discount Price from Amazon

 It is aware of the fact that there are 90% chance that a popular hotel - a suite room or a presidential into an elegant hotel have bed bugs?



Still a favorite hotel can have bed bugs without your knowledge.

Now he wonders if your hotel has you chinches or not. What are the symptoms and signs of infestation of bedbugs? Assuming that the hotel has bugs, what can be done so not get infested your home when you return to your country?

Symptoms and signs of infestation of common bed bugs are as follows...

1 Eruption of bed bugs from Itching is the first signal. The eruption began with a sensation of itching. The rash will not be visible but may feel itching.

When a bed bugs are nibbling, it can be itchier of mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites, you can feel its sting and feel the suction of blood. But when the bed bugs bite, itching can be felt only after a period of one hour minimum. This is caused by the anesthesia in the saliva of bugs. Inject anticoagulant and anaesthetics, to avoid that you blood clotting, prior to sucks blood.

Eruption of bed bugs can be felt one hour after the bite. But in some cases, the rash appears only a few days or weeks later. This is determined by the response of the organism to chemical substances secreted by errors.
How can you identify a rash caused by a failure of the bed?

Begins with a red, small and round (swollen), textures that looks more swollen than a rash of mosquito. Initially, only a swollen bump can be seen. In due course of time, the rash spreads everything.

This indicates that many bugs have begun to bite you. But in some cases, the rash can resemble a brand of bite in sequence. This is seen in people on the move constantly when he is sleeping. Once the bugs seen movement around them, they quickly run to return to their hiding places.

When it is suspected that an eruption of bed bugs, look at it for a few days. The eruption causes itching prolonged for days together.Also, a rash of bed bugs not cure as soon as mosquito bites. It is swollen by weeks together.

2 Bugs smell
Next to search for is smell of bed bugs. What kind of smell does?
A Hotel where there is a lot of bed bugs pest had this unpleasant, musty, smell sweet smell that release bed bugs. You can find this odor under the header and mattresses. If you find a sofa with cracks or a Chair of wood in your hotel, check if they smell of bed bugs.

Bugs smell is not easily detectable in hotels with negligible or minimal amount of infestation,
How prevents bugs from attacking your home hotel?

Get all the things in the suitcase the night before. Bed bugs are efficient hitchhikers. Bed bugs can survive without food for days together. If there are bugs in the suitcase, which can attack the House she learns.
Check your stuff wood of bed bugs. They are attracted to cloth, paper and articles made of wood. These are substances that support its survival.

Use destructive insect based on water and spray around your suitcase, and bed bugs can be thrown away. put your clothes and other things in a clean, dry bath tub. Bed bugs cannot remain in the crevices of Tina as the tub consists of ceramic or marble and gets wet quite often.

Used laundry before heading home. Remember that this is not a trivial issue. Once her bedroom gets infested with bed bugs, quickly spreads to neighboring rooms.

The destruction of bed bugs is really difficult. It may even have even condemn your sofa and bed to get rid of bed bugs.

 It is aware of the fact that there are 90% chance that a popular hotel - a suite room or a presidential into an elegant hotel have bed bugs?



Still a favorite hotel can have bed bugs without your knowledge.

Now he wonders if your hotel has you chinches or not. What are the symptoms and signs of infestation of bedbugs? Assuming that the hotel has bugs, what can be done so not get infested your home when you return to your country?

Symptoms and signs of infestation of common bed bugs are as follows...

1 Eruption of bed bugs from Itching is the first signal. The eruption began with a sensation of itching. The rash will not be visible but may feel itching.

When a bed bugs are nibbling, it can be itchier of mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites, you can feel its sting and feel the suction of blood. But when the bed bugs bite, itching can be felt only after a period of one hour minimum. This is caused by the anesthesia in the saliva of bugs. Inject anticoagulant and anaesthetics, to avoid that you blood clotting, prior to sucks blood.

Eruption of bed bugs can be felt one hour after the bite. But in some cases, the rash appears only a few days or weeks later. This is determined by the response of the organism to chemical substances secreted by errors.
How can you identify a rash caused by a failure of the bed?

Begins with a red, small and round (swollen), textures that looks more swollen than a rash of mosquito. Initially, only a swollen bump can be seen. In due course of time, the rash spreads everything.

This indicates that many bugs have begun to bite you. But in some cases, the rash can resemble a brand of bite in sequence. This is seen in people on the move constantly when he is sleeping. Once the bugs seen movement around them, they quickly run to return to their hiding places.

When it is suspected that an eruption of bed bugs, look at it for a few days. The eruption causes itching prolonged for days together.Also, a rash of bed bugs not cure as soon as mosquito bites. It is swollen by weeks together.

2 Bugs smell
Next to search for is smell of bed bugs. What kind of smell does?
A Hotel where there is a lot of bed bugs pest had this unpleasant, musty, smell sweet smell that release bed bugs. You can find this odor under the header and mattresses. If you find a sofa with cracks or a Chair of wood in your hotel, check if they smell of bed bugs.

Bugs smell is not easily detectable in hotels with negligible or minimal amount of infestation,
How prevents bugs from attacking your home hotel?

Get all the things in the suitcase the night before. Bed bugs are efficient hitchhikers. Bed bugs can survive without food for days together. If there are bugs in the suitcase, which can attack the House she learns.
Check your stuff wood of bed bugs. They are attracted to cloth, paper and articles made of wood. These are substances that support its survival.

Use destructive insect based on water and spray around your suitcase, and bed bugs can be thrown away. put your clothes and other things in a clean, dry bath tub. Bed bugs cannot remain in the crevices of Tina as the tub consists of ceramic or marble and gets wet quite often.

Used laundry before heading home. Remember that this is not a trivial issue. Once her bedroom gets infested with bed bugs, quickly spreads to neighboring rooms.

The destruction of bed bugs is really difficult. It may even have even condemn your sofa and bed to get rid of bed bugs.

When bed bugs invade an apartment, who calls the exterminator and who pays? The conundrum in the emerging field of bed bug law is pitting landlords against tenants and filling court dockets.

Legislation recently introduced in the New Jersey Legislature as Assembly Bill 3203 would force landlords to shoulder the entire financial burden of combating bed bugs by making them solely responsible for conducting annual inspections, distributing and displaying educational material created by the state, immediately treating reported bed bug infestations, and maintaining a bed bug-free environment throughout the apartment building or complex. Similar bills are under consideration in other states.

Citing the nationwide 500% increase in bed bug infestations and calling the common bed bug "a public nuisance," Bill 3203 states, "it is a matter of public welfare to protect New Jersey citizens' health from this pest." Noting that owners of multiple dwellings are "in the best position to coordinate the extermination bedbug infestations in that multiple dwelling," the bill directs, "Every owner of a multiple dwelling shall be responsible, at his own expense, for maintaining the multiple dwelling free of an infestation of bedbugs." Landlords who fail to act would be fined $300 per infested apartment and $1,000 per infested common area. Local health boards would have the power to act for and bill unresponsive landlords. (You can read the complete text of New Jersey Bill 3203 on the Stern Environmental website.)

Given the exponential increase in bed bug infestations nationwide, landlords are leery of the possible financial repercussions of such legislation. In New York City, bed bug complaints jumped from 1,839 in 2005 to 8,830 in 2008. Violations issued by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development rose from 366 to 2,757 over the same period. New York and New Jersey apartment owners are legally tasked with providing pest control for tenants. It's the apartment owner's responsibility to provide tenants with a pest-free living environment. That wasn't always true. Since the 1908 case of Jacobs v. Morand, tenants had been legally obligated to pay their rent even if bed bugs had made their apartment inhabitable. That changed in 2004 with Ludlow Properties, LLC v. Young when Judge Cyril Bedford ruled in favor of a frustrated tenant who had refused to pay rent for six months because of a persistent bed bug problem, writing:

"Although bed bugs are classified as vermin, they are unlike ... mice and roaches, which, although offensive, do not have the effect on one's life as bed bugs do, feeding upon one's blood in hoards nightly turning what is supposed to be bed rest or sleep into a hellish experience."

Today, tenants seem to be winning the litigation war against landlords, but it's a tough fight. When bed bug infestations are discovered, tenants and landlords point the finger of blame at each other. "It gets back to the issue of responsibility," said attorney Ronald Languedoc. "In law, the party that asserts a claim usually has a burden of proof. I think it is probably hard to track down where, precisely, they came from and how they got in there."

Under current New York and New Jersey law, apartment owners bear the responsibility and financial expense of providing housing that is rat-free, roach-free and now bed bug-free. For cash-strapped apartment owners, there's the rub. Rats, roaches and other vermin are attracted by garbage and unclean conditions. The connection to proper maintenance, efficient trash collection and regular pest control is obvious. The cost of such regular maintenance is an expected part of managing an apartment building. Just like electric, water and other utility costs, these expenses are figured into monthly rent payments and recouped.

Bed bugs are an entirely different problem. Bed bugs are not attracted by filth. They are insects of convenience like lice and fleas. These tiny insects crawl from one infected individual to another. They set up house near beds and in bedrooms, hiding in cracks and crevices during the day and creeping out at night to feed on the blood of their unsuspecting prey - humans. The size of an apple seed, bed bugs multiply quickly and are adept hitchhikers. You can get them from contact with an infected individual, visiting his home, brushing his clothing, standing next to him or borrowing his belongings. You can get bed bugs by sitting in a seat just vacated by an infected person on a subway, park bench, taxi or airplane. Since not all people react to bed bug bites, people often spread bed bugs without even knowing they have them.

Bed bugs can come into an apartment on someone's clothing, in suitcases and backpacks, in the creases of storage boxes, in the cracks and crevices of used furniture, in the upholstery of a rental sofa and in refurbished mattresses. Apartment owners have no control over what attracts bed bugs or how the annoying little buggers get into the building. You can understand their reluctance to take responsibility for a problem they didn't create and have no control over. Yet that is exactly what housing legislation requires them to do. Particularly exasperating are the strictures in New York City and under consideration in Jersey City and the New Jersey state legislature that prevent apartment owners from passing along the often hefty costs of eliminating bed bug infestations to their tenants.

The life cycle and living habits of bed bugs only confound the problem. A single female bed bug can produce up to 500 eggs during her one-year lifespan, laying about five eggs per day. Moving through five nymphal stages, bed bugs reach maturity in just five to eight weeks. They nibble on their human prey at night, feeding for up to 10 minutes every three to five days. The tiny bugs are often mistaken for other pests and their bites for mosquito or spider bites. Not all people react to their bites which look like raised, red welts and many don't react (itching is typical) for several days after being bitten. Some people are so embarrassed, they fail to report an infestation or uselessly try to treat it with Raid. By the time the problem is noticed or reported, a considerable infestation can have developed.

Often by the time they're identified, bed bugs have spread to other units in a building and the original culprit can be hard to identify. Because bed bugs spread easily through wall voids, elevator shafts, plumbing and wiring conduits, and heating and cooling ducts, next door units and those on the floors above and below an infested unit are also likely to be infested. Treatment of one unit can simply send bed bugs scurrying to find new living quarters. Even vacant apartments are not safe as bed bugs can live for one to seven months without a blood meal.

Eliminating bed bugs in a multi-unit apartment building can be a nightmare for everyone and an unexpected financial burden for the owner. Because of the many variables involved - the need for tenant cooperation, the bugs' minute and numerous hiding places and their tendency to spread quickly and easily -- multiple pest control treatments over a spaced period of time are necessary to completely eradicate bed bugs from an apartment building. Apartment owners are being asked to shoulder the financial burden without remuneration, sometimes without essential tenant cooperation, and with no guarantee that the whole mess won't happen again. It's not hard to understand why apartment owners feel new bed bug laws are unfair.

When bed bugs invade an apartment, who calls the exterminator and who pays? The conundrum in the emerging field of bed bug law is pitting landlords against tenants and filling court dockets.

Legislation recently introduced in the New Jersey Legislature as Assembly Bill 3203 would force landlords to shoulder the entire financial burden of combating bed bugs by making them solely responsible for conducting annual inspections, distributing and displaying educational material created by the state, immediately treating reported bed bug infestations, and maintaining a bed bug-free environment throughout the apartment building or complex. Similar bills are under consideration in other states.

Citing the nationwide 500% increase in bed bug infestations and calling the common bed bug "a public nuisance," Bill 3203 states, "it is a matter of public welfare to protect New Jersey citizens' health from this pest." Noting that owners of multiple dwellings are "in the best position to coordinate the extermination bedbug infestations in that multiple dwelling," the bill directs, "Every owner of a multiple dwelling shall be responsible, at his own expense, for maintaining the multiple dwelling free of an infestation of bedbugs." Landlords who fail to act would be fined $300 per infested apartment and $1,000 per infested common area. Local health boards would have the power to act for and bill unresponsive landlords. (You can read the complete text of New Jersey Bill 3203 on the Stern Environmental website.)

Given the exponential increase in bed bug infestations nationwide, landlords are leery of the possible financial repercussions of such legislation. In New York City, bed bug complaints jumped from 1,839 in 2005 to 8,830 in 2008. Violations issued by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development rose from 366 to 2,757 over the same period. New York and New Jersey apartment owners are legally tasked with providing pest control for tenants. It's the apartment owner's responsibility to provide tenants with a pest-free living environment. That wasn't always true. Since the 1908 case of Jacobs v. Morand, tenants had been legally obligated to pay their rent even if bed bugs had made their apartment inhabitable. That changed in 2004 with Ludlow Properties, LLC v. Young when Judge Cyril Bedford ruled in favor of a frustrated tenant who had refused to pay rent for six months because of a persistent bed bug problem, writing:

"Although bed bugs are classified as vermin, they are unlike ... mice and roaches, which, although offensive, do not have the effect on one's life as bed bugs do, feeding upon one's blood in hoards nightly turning what is supposed to be bed rest or sleep into a hellish experience."

Today, tenants seem to be winning the litigation war against landlords, but it's a tough fight. When bed bug infestations are discovered, tenants and landlords point the finger of blame at each other. "It gets back to the issue of responsibility," said attorney Ronald Languedoc. "In law, the party that asserts a claim usually has a burden of proof. I think it is probably hard to track down where, precisely, they came from and how they got in there."

Under current New York and New Jersey law, apartment owners bear the responsibility and financial expense of providing housing that is rat-free, roach-free and now bed bug-free. For cash-strapped apartment owners, there's the rub. Rats, roaches and other vermin are attracted by garbage and unclean conditions. The connection to proper maintenance, efficient trash collection and regular pest control is obvious. The cost of such regular maintenance is an expected part of managing an apartment building. Just like electric, water and other utility costs, these expenses are figured into monthly rent payments and recouped.

Bed bugs are an entirely different problem. Bed bugs are not attracted by filth. They are insects of convenience like lice and fleas. These tiny insects crawl from one infected individual to another. They set up house near beds and in bedrooms, hiding in cracks and crevices during the day and creeping out at night to feed on the blood of their unsuspecting prey - humans. The size of an apple seed, bed bugs multiply quickly and are adept hitchhikers. You can get them from contact with an infected individual, visiting his home, brushing his clothing, standing next to him or borrowing his belongings. You can get bed bugs by sitting in a seat just vacated by an infected person on a subway, park bench, taxi or airplane. Since not all people react to bed bug bites, people often spread bed bugs without even knowing they have them.

Bed bugs can come into an apartment on someone's clothing, in suitcases and backpacks, in the creases of storage boxes, in the cracks and crevices of used furniture, in the upholstery of a rental sofa and in refurbished mattresses. Apartment owners have no control over what attracts bed bugs or how the annoying little buggers get into the building. You can understand their reluctance to take responsibility for a problem they didn't create and have no control over. Yet that is exactly what housing legislation requires them to do. Particularly exasperating are the strictures in New York City and under consideration in Jersey City and the New Jersey state legislature that prevent apartment owners from passing along the often hefty costs of eliminating bed bug infestations to their tenants.

The life cycle and living habits of bed bugs only confound the problem. A single female bed bug can produce up to 500 eggs during her one-year lifespan, laying about five eggs per day. Moving through five nymphal stages, bed bugs reach maturity in just five to eight weeks. They nibble on their human prey at night, feeding for up to 10 minutes every three to five days. The tiny bugs are often mistaken for other pests and their bites for mosquito or spider bites. Not all people react to their bites which look like raised, red welts and many don't react (itching is typical) for several days after being bitten. Some people are so embarrassed, they fail to report an infestation or uselessly try to treat it with Raid. By the time the problem is noticed or reported, a considerable infestation can have developed.

Often by the time they're identified, bed bugs have spread to other units in a building and the original culprit can be hard to identify. Because bed bugs spread easily through wall voids, elevator shafts, plumbing and wiring conduits, and heating and cooling ducts, next door units and those on the floors above and below an infested unit are also likely to be infested. Treatment of one unit can simply send bed bugs scurrying to find new living quarters. Even vacant apartments are not safe as bed bugs can live for one to seven months without a blood meal.

Eliminating bed bugs in a multi-unit apartment building can be a nightmare for everyone and an unexpected financial burden for the owner. Because of the many variables involved - the need for tenant cooperation, the bugs' minute and numerous hiding places and their tendency to spread quickly and easily -- multiple pest control treatments over a spaced period of time are necessary to completely eradicate bed bugs from an apartment building. Apartment owners are being asked to shoulder the financial burden without remuneration, sometimes without essential tenant cooperation, and with no guarantee that the whole mess won't happen again. It's not hard to understand why apartment owners feel new bed bug laws are unfair.