Bed bugs are back and are making the lives of many people a living nightmare. The number of bed bug cases in the United States and Utah is growing at alarming rates. Few pests are as difficult to detect and control as bed bugs. They are hard to find, persistent, and increasingly pervasive, and thus require considerable professional expertise and significant client cooperation.

An adult bed bug is about 1/4 inch long and less then 1/8 inch wide, although sizes vary depending on the environment. They are brown to reddish-brown in color. Bed bugs are flat and oval in shape. A female can lay 1-5 eggs per day. Those eggs can hatch in 7-10 days.

They feed almost exclusively on human blood. They are typically nocturnal and very cryptic in nature. They feed at night and then return to their hiding places for a week or more. Bed bugs can survive several months without feeding. For the most part, the public is not well-educated on the growing bed bug problem and signs of an infestation. So, since they are difficult to detect, bed bugs go a long time without identification and treatment. Typically bed bugs will be in a home, apartment, or hotel for several months before they are even noticed.

Bed bugs are not just found in mattresses but can be found anywhere including box springs, bed frame,s popcorn ceilings, power outlets, headboards, couches, dressers, and virtually anywhere.

Bed bugs are difficult to control. Some of the reasons they are difficult to eliminate include:

1. They are difficult to detect early in an infestation.
2. Monitoring tools are ineffective.
3. Bed bugs may re-infest or disperse to new areas.
4. Bed bug eggs pose special difficulties.
5. Bed bugs have long periods of inactivity.
6. Bed Bugs are showing great resistance to pyrethroid chemicals.
7. Cooperation from managers, staff, or residents is often lacking.

How do bed bugs Spread?

Bed bugs can spread by simply walking and spreading to adjacent areas, but most of the time they hitchhike. Bed bugs hitchhike on clothing, luggage, used furniture, and other items. Bed bugs can even crawl onto someone while seated on an infested couch or bed and then fall off when they arrive home later.

Children playing together or having sleep overs can spread bed bugs from one home to another. They are also spread frequently in hotels. If a hotel room is infested they can crawl onto luggage, bags, or clothing and take a ride back to your home.

Be cautious when purchasing used furniture and never pick up furniture that has been discarded on the street!

Bed Bug Prevention

1. Being Educated
2. Removing Clutter
3. Do not store things under bed
4. Mattress Encasement
5. Isolate bed where possible (ie. Keep bed a few inches from the wall and nightstand)
6. Preventive insecticide barriers using phantom
7. Be careful purchasing used furniture
8. Act Immediately if you suspect bed bugs