Bedbugs

There are approximately seven species of bedbugs that will feed on humans. The most common bedbugs are Cimex lectularis (the "human bedbug" with a cosmopolitan distribution), Cimex hemipterus (the "tropical bedbug" found most often in tropical climates), and Leptocimex boueti (found in W. Africa). Even though bedbugs have many characteristics that would make they excellent vectors for diseases, bedbugs do not, as far as is known, serve as vectors for any human diseases. (It has been shown experimentally that many infectious agents can live in bedbugs. However, none of these agents reproduce in the bedbugs, and the bedbugs will not transmit any of these infectious agents).

Bedbugs are small (about 8 mm long), nocturnal creatures, coming out of hiding at night to feed on unsuspecting humans. They feed exclusively on blood! Their bites often result in an allergic reaction (a small weal). Some humans tend to react more strongly to bedbug bites (they become sensitized), while others may never react no matter how many times they are bitten. In those instances where infestations are heavy and people are bitten many times, the bites are so annoying that a person will lose considerable sleep, and they may suffer from iron and/or hemoglobin deficiencies due to the lose of blood.

Because of their small size and inconspicuous nature, bedbugs can be transported from one house to another in furniture, clothing, laundry, and a variety of other ways. Once in a house, bedbugs can hide almost anywhere. As one might suspect, they tend to be found around the bed, hiding in the mattress, box springs, and sheets, but they can also be found behind the baseboards, under furniture, and even behind wallpaper. Control of a bedbug infestation requires the careful use of pesticides. One might think that you could "starve" the bedbugs out of your house by simply leaving for a few days. This would, however, prove fruitless, as bedbugs can survive more than a year without feeding.

Control of bedbugs starts with a very thorough inspection, and crack and crevice application of a residual insectide.