Introduction

Bed bugs have been a problem for humans forever, they are mentioned in medieval European texts and in classical Greek writings back to the time of Aristotle. Bed bugs are small, oval, non-flying insects that belong to the insect family Cimicidae, which includes three species that bite people. Bed bugs are wingless and survive by sucking blood from a host animal, preferably a human. Bed bugs are parasites that feed on the blood of people and certain animals, and they require these blood meals to grow and reproduce. They are typically active at nighttime, with a maximum attack period about an hour or two before sunrise, though given the chance; they may try to feed at other times throughout the day. Bed bugs are seen as a growing problem within all types of dwellings, including private homes, dormitories, cruise ships, army barracks, and shelters. Bed bugs are often carried into houses by clothes, luggage, furniture, and bedding. Bed bugs are attracted by both warmth and the presence of carbon dioxide, which is what we exhale when breathing. Bed bugs are not known to transmit any human pathogens but can cause emotional distress to those affected. Bed bugs are transmitted from one place to another because they “hitchhike” on belongings, such as clothes, suitcases, second-hand beds, furniture, and bedding.

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Control

Bed bugs are challenging pests to control. Controlling an infestation requires very detailed work and much moving (and disassembly) of furniture. Controlling infestations of bed bugs can be difficult since they can hide in so many places, they are not easy to eradicate, although no control efforts (or products) are needed unless an infestation is detected and/or an expert verifies an infestation. Experienced pest control firms know where to look for bed bugs, and have an assortment of management tools at their disposal. They should help with effective and thorough inspections, to provide you with any information you may want, and to carry out any needed control effort under a suitable contract.

Health

While bedbugs have been known to harbor pathogens in their bodies, including plague and hepatitis B, they have not been linked to the transmission of any disease and are not regarded as a medical threat. Health professionals should be aware of this reemerging urban pest to facilitate prompt diagnosis of affected patients and treatment of the underlying environmental infestation. People can have severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites, but generally bed bugs are not considered a health threat. Dismissing bed bugs as “not a public health pest” on the grounds that they are unproven disease vectors ignores the pain, suffering and emotional distress inflicted on their victims.

Conclusion

Bed bugs are elusive creatures, so it is imperative to seek professional pest control to address an infestation, and while Bed bugs are closely associated with humans and the domestic environment throughout their lifecycle, they can with careful work and dedication be eradicated from your home.