Many people are still frustrated and confused by the resurgence of bed bugs in the United States.  These pests have been around for thousands of years, but following World War II and the invention of the pesticide DDT, bed bugs were largely eradicated from most developed countries.  Unfortunately, these pests made a reappearance in the mid 90s.  Since then, the occurrence of bed bugs in this country has dramatically increased to the point that it is a threat in all 50 states.  Though the cause is not confirmed, most experts expect that the increase in travel, particularly to and from developing countries, has played a major role in the resurgence of bed bugs. While most of us have heard these pests talked about enough to fear them, the majority of us don’t know what causes these nuisances and what kind of problems they cause.
So, what makes these pests so resilient?

• They can survive for over a year without feeding.
• They are so skilled at feeding on humans that most people don’t feel anything when being bitten.
• They can survive very extreme temperatures
• They come out primarily at night and can hide in tiny spaces during the day, allowing them to go unnoticed.

Bed bug bites are usually the first signs that you have an infestation.  These bites bear some resemblance to the bites of other common pests such as ants, mosquitoes and spiders.  Here are a few key differences that will allow you to distinguish bed bug bites from the rest.

• Bites often occur in a line.
• Bites are usually flat with no swelling.
• Bites are most commonly found on the arms, legs, back, face and hands.
• Bites are typically noticed in the morning because bed bugs feed during the night.

Besides the itchy, uncomfortable bites you may experience, bed bugs often leave behind fecal matter, which can look like smeared blood on your sheets.
Once bed bugs make their way into your home, getting rid of them is a job best left to professionals.  However, there are a few steps you can take to help alleviate the problem.  The last thing you want to do is encourage the infestation and be stuck with this problem for months.

• After thoroughly disinfecting your mattress and bedding, use a sealed, plastic mattress cover to prevent bed bugs from entering or further spreading from your bed.
• Minimize the clutter in your room, because a full, messy room offers great hiding spots for bed bugs.
• Thoroughly vacuum the infected room and dispose of the contents away from your house.

Anytime you find bedbugs in your home it is unwanted and usually unexpected.  In order to eliminate this problem from your home, it is important to contact a professional pest control expert to handle the problem before is spreads even further.