Don’t Get Bugged In Bed

Bed bug ready to suck blood

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Long before notorious bloodsuckers like Dracula and his vampire bat kin haunted people’s dreams, a small, lesser-known creature was making a bloodthirsty feast of bedtime.  Those devils, the bed bugs, continue to prey on innocent victims to this day.

Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, bed bugs are tiny pests that feast at night on the blood of humans and other mammals.  In daytime, bed bugs typically locate themselves in the very places where people sleep.  Their tiny bodies are able to fit in the narrowest of spaces, including head boards, mattresses and box springs.  Unlike social insects like bees and ants, bed bugs do not congregate in a single area. Read more . . .

Bugs In Your Bed: Yikes

Bed bugs on the box spring

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Do you ever lay awake at night,  and have the feeling that you’re not on your own?  You are aware  that there’s no one else in the room,  but you just can’t shake the feeling that someone — or something — is right there beside you.

This is not a horror tale,  at least not the B-movie type.  It’s the story of the bed bug, a creepy creature that has caused more night sweats and sleepless nights than all of the horror movie characters combined.  This unwanted bedmate is the lowly Cimex lectularius, ordinarily known as the Bed Bug.       Read more . . .

Don’t Let The Annoying Bed Bugs Bite

Bed bug feeding

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“Good night, sleep tight”.  When you have bed bugs in your home, this  basic sentiment can seem little more than a faraway dream.

Bed bugs have roots that date back centuries, as far back in history as classical Greece and  medieval times, as documented in various writings.  It’s certainly uncomfortable trying to sleep in an infested bed, but the real discomfort occurs when you wake up.  The bites can cause redness, itch and swelling, but bed bugs are not able to transmit disease.  Maybe, the greatest amount of grief comes with the shameful stigma associated with having bed bugs in the home.  Many people think that a bed bug infestation is detrimental to a relationship and may cause psychological strain. Read more . . .

Waging War On Bed Bugs

Ventral view of a bed bug

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“Don’t let the bed bugs bite”, says everyone.   Well, that’s easier said than done. Bed bugs are tiny creatures that suck blood from human victims.  Most often dismissed as a nuisance, bed bugs have become a serious problem in homes as well as offices and luxury establishments.

This infestation has occurred mainly for two reasons.  First, there is a notable increase in the number of individuals traveling to, and those immigrating from, foreign countries.  These persons unknowingly bring these insects along with them.  The second reason may be due to the fact that bed bugs have become immune to the pesticides and insecticides being used. Read more . . .

Bed Bug Facts And Tips

Two bed bugs on the wall

flickr.com/doctabu

The world is made up of several parasites.  Some are smaller, some are bigger; some are dangerous and many are perfectly harmless.  However,  few are as disturbing to humans as the lowly bed bug.

Small parasites like dust mites can be found in virtually every mattress.  Other, bigger insects called bed bugs are also found in many homes in North America, and around the world.  Due in part to increased foreign travel, bed bugs are making their way across the continent, taking up residence in hotels,  motels, restaurants,  apartments, ostels,  shelters and family homes.       Read more . . .