Changes

Bedbugs are approximately 4-5 centimeters long.  They are broad and flat in shape, brown in color, and glisten from a distinctive, smelly oil secreted from scent glands.  The wings are scale-like and vestigial.  Females lay about 200 or more eggs during reproductive periods, and can lay around a thousand during several such periods within a year.

Bedbugs are approximately 4-5 centimeters long.  They are broad and flat in shape, brown in color, and glisten from a distinctive, smelly oil secreted from scent glands.  The wings are scale-like and vestigial.  Females lay about 200 or more eggs during reproductive periods, and can lay around a thousand during several such periods within a year.

Bedbugs feed only at night; in the wild they feed on the blood of birds and small mammals, and within human-inhabited areas they feed upon domesticated animals as well as man.  They retreat to their hiding places during the daytime, using up to several days in which to digest their food<ref>http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs/</ref> Most bed bugs live full time within eight feet of where humans sleep.When hiding they are generally found in bedding and mattresses (hence the name), nearby furniture, carpeting, within dressers and clothes, curtains, and cushions.

Bedbugs feed only at night; in the wild they feed on the blood of birds and small mammals, and within human-inhabited areas they feed upon domesticated animals as well as man.  They retreat to their hiding places during the daytime, using up to several days in which to digest their food<ref>http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs/</ref> Most bedbugs live full time within eight feet of where humans sleep.When hiding they are generally found in bedding and mattresses (hence the name), nearby furniture, carpeting, within dressers and clothes, curtains, and cushions.

==History==

==History==

==Health issues==

==Health issues==

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to humans, except for possible associations with hepatitis B and Chagas disease. However, their bites often do leave red itchy welts on human skin due to an allergic reaction.<ref>http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.118-a429</ref>  

Although bedbugs are not known to transmit disease to humans, except for possible associations with hepatitis B and Chagas disease. However, their bites often do leave red itchy welts on human skin due to an allergic reaction.<ref>http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.118-a429</ref>  

An addition issue is the stress caused by bedbugs. Respondents of one survey reported that 99% of clients who have had bed bugs were “upset and concerned” while76 percent of surveyed respondents also reported that bedbugs are the most difficult pest to treat, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites.<ref>2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study</ref>  

An addition issue is the stress caused by bedbugs. Respondents of one survey reported that 99% of clients who have had bedbugs were “upset and concerned” while76 percent of surveyed respondents also reported that bedbugs are the most difficult pest to treat, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites.<ref>2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study</ref>  

==Life and behavior==

==Life and behavior==

Bed bugs begin as eggs, with the mother, who is hypodermically impregnated by the male, able to birth thousands, 1, 2 or more eggs and up to twelve eggs per day. The eggs are sticky, and able to adhere to most anything, and are milky white, and approximately 1 millimeter in length, a little larger than a speck of dust, and are covered with a protective layer, so that immersion in water does not kill them as would adult bedbugs. Once born, the bedbug will go through five growth (molting) stages ---- each one requiring a blood meal and each time shedding its skin ---- before it becomes an adult, and able to reproduce. After hatching the bedbug is called a  nymph, and is  straw-colored and no bigger than a pinhead and which begin to feed immediately. As a second stage nymph, about the size of apple seed, fills itself with blood then its color goes from white to bright red as it  In ideal temperatures (about 70-90 F), the bug go from birth to adulthood in a month to six weeks. Adults are approximately 3/16-inch long and reddish-brown, with oval, flattened bodies. Cooler temperatures and less blood meals will slow its development down, but will not kill it , as adult bed bugs can survive without feeding for over a year in temperatures around 50°F, and the nymphs can survive for many months. It is thus that immediate and comprehensive action is critical for elimination of bedbugs.<ref>http://www.bedbugbattleplan.com/content/view/19/35/ The Life Cycle of the Bed Bug</ref>  

Bedbugs begin as eggs, with the mother, who is hypodermically impregnated by the male, able to birth thousands, 1, 2 or more eggs and up to twelve eggs per day. The eggs are sticky, and able to adhere to most anything, and are milky white, and approximately 1 millimeter in length, a little larger than a speck of dust, and are covered with a protective layer, so that immersion in water does not kill them as would adult bedbugs. Once born, the bedbug will go through five growth (molting) stages ---- each one requiring a blood meal and each time shedding its skin ---- before it becomes an adult, and able to reproduce. After hatching the bedbug is called a  nymph, and is  straw-colored and no bigger than a pinhead and which begin to feed immediately. As a second stage nymph, about the size of apple seed, fills itself with blood then its color goes from white to bright red as it  In ideal temperatures (about 70-90 F), the bug go from birth to adulthood in a month to six weeks. Adults are approximately 3/16-inch long and reddish-brown, with oval, flattened bodies. Cooler temperatures and less blood meals will slow its development down, but will not kill it , as adult bedbugs can survive without feeding for over a year in temperatures around 50°F, and the nymphs can survive for many months. It is thus that immediate and comprehensive action is critical for elimination of bedbugs.<ref>http://www.bedbugbattleplan.com/content/view/19/35/ The Life Cycle of the Bed Bug</ref>  

Males will mate with females much more often than the females require to stay fertile and as a result the females live about 25% less long than they would otherwise.<ref>http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2010/02/16/laundry-and-the-motivating-power-of-the-bed-bug-web-qa-with-richard-naylor/</ref>

Males will mate with females much more often than the females require to stay fertile and as a result the females live about 25% less long than they would otherwise.<ref>http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2010/02/16/laundry-and-the-motivating-power-of-the-bed-bug-web-qa-with-richard-naylor/</ref>

When bed bugs bite, like mosquitoes, they inject an anesthetic that prevents the host from feeling the bite, and an anticoagulant for blood flow. Bedbugs are normatively nocturnal, though they can bite during the day or with light, but they usually occur while people are sleeping.  Feeding takes three to 10 minutes, depending on maturity, and immediately after feeding the bug crawls off  to digest their meal in a safe place.  Bite marks can be random or in a straight line.<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm</ref> Anecdotal evidence suggests they wait until the host is in their deepest part of sleep, usually 3-5am.

When bedbugs bite, like mosquitoes, they inject an anesthetic that prevents the host from feeling the bite, and an anticoagulant for blood flow. Bedbugs are normatively nocturnal, though they can bite during the day or with light, but they usually occur while people are sleeping.  Feeding takes three to 10 minutes, depending on maturity, and immediately after feeding the bug crawls off  to digest their meal in a safe place.  Bite marks can be random or in a straight line.<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm</ref> Anecdotal evidence suggests they wait until the host is in their deepest part of sleep, usually 3-5am.

Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Bed bugs can travel over 100 feet in one night, but they tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep. Bed bugs appear to have an affinity for wood and fabric more so than metal or plastic. They hide during the day in such places as mattresses seams, box springs, bed frames and headboards, dresser tables, cracks or crevices, baseboards, behind wallpaper, and under any clothes, clutter or objects around a bed. Their small flat bodies allow them to fit into the smallest of spaces and they can remain in place for long periods of time, even without a blood meal. Bed bugs are easily and usually transported from place to place by people as they travel, and nymphs are especially hard to detect.   

Bedbugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Bedbugs can travel over 100 feet in one night, but they tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep. Bedbugs appear to have an affinity for wood and fabric more so than metal or plastic. They hide during the day in such places as mattresses seams, box springs, bed frames and headboards, dresser tables, cracks or crevices, baseboards, behind wallpaper, and under any clothes, clutter or objects around a bed. Their small flat bodies allow them to fit into the smallest of spaces and they can remain in place for long periods of time, even without a blood meal. Bedbugs are easily and usually transported from place to place by people as they travel, and nymphs are especially hard to detect.   

In addition to bits, bed bugs are made evident by areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried blood excrement of the bugs. Dark spots of dried bed bug excrement are often present along mattress seams or wherever the bugs have resided. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, the brownish molted skins of maturing nymphs and the bugs themselves. Less often one may see rusty or reddish blood smears on bed sheets or mattresses from crushing an engorged bed bug. Some companies are beginning to use canines for detecting infestations, which, if properly trained, have been very effective.<ref>[http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp BED BUGS]</ref>

In addition to bits, bedbugs are made evident by areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried blood excrement of the bugs. Dark spots of dried bed bug excrement are often present along mattress seams or wherever the bugs have resided. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, the brownish molted skins of maturing nymphs and the bugs themselves. Less often one may see rusty or reddish blood smears on bed sheets or mattresses from crushing an engorged bed bug. Some companies are beginning to use canines for detecting infestations, which, if properly trained, have been very effective.<ref>[http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp BED BUGS]</ref>

==Control and eradication==

==Control and eradication==

*Vacuum the mattress, especially tucks and along seams. Kill any live bugs using a spray of 70 or higher percent isopropyl alcohol.   

*Vacuum the mattress, especially tucks and along seams. Kill any live bugs using a spray of 70 or higher percent isopropyl alcohol.   

*Isolating the bed from walls and coating the bed legs for 3 to 5 inches with petroleum jelly, and or encasing the bed legs in a water filled container to stop bed bugs (who can jump, but not swim) from crawling up into the bed is typically recommended. Box spring encasements are also promoted.

*Isolating the bed from walls and coating the bed legs for 3 to 5 inches with petroleum jelly, and or encasing the bed legs in a water filled container to stop bedbugs (who can jump, but not swim) from crawling up into the bed is typically recommended. Box spring encasements are also promoted.

*Sealing cracks and crevices which bedbugs can hide and lay eggs (which can be as small as the width of a credit card) around the area in which bits occur.

*Sealing cracks and crevices which bedbugs can hide and lay eggs (which can be as small as the width of a credit card) around the area in which bits occur.

*Washing bedding and clothes in 140°F degree water and drying at high heat, especially the latter which can be used alone.  

*Washing bedding and clothes in 140°F degree water and drying at high heat, especially the latter which can be used alone.  

Natural  insecticides include cedar oil, [[Diatomaceous earth]] as well as slica and quartz. The latter three can slowly work to control or kill bedbugs by cutting them as they travel, resulting in their death by dehydration.  

Natural  insecticides include cedar oil, [[Diatomaceous earth]] as well as slica and quartz. The latter three can slowly work to control or kill bedbugs by cutting them as they travel, resulting in their death by dehydration.  

An additional insecticide is one which does not actually kill bed bugs, but instead it works to prevent reproduction by disrupting the development of immature bed bugs, resulting in being unable to reproduce. This process takes longer but it can ensure an eventual end of the infestation, if contact with all bedbugs is made, but usually this chemical is used in conjunction with other insecticides.<ref>http://www.bed-bug.org/insectisides-for-bed-bugs/</ref> Repeat treatments with any legal insecticide are advised and are almost always necessary.  Spot treatment of bedbugs with chemical formulations can make matters worse by allowing them to developed resistance to the insecticide used.

An additional insecticide is one which does not actually kill bedbugs, but instead it works to prevent reproduction by disrupting the development of immature bedbugs, resulting in being unable to reproduce. This process takes longer but it can ensure an eventual end of the infestation, if contact with all bedbugs is made, but usually this chemical is used in conjunction with other insecticides.<ref>http://www.bed-bug.org/insectisides-for-bed-bugs/</ref> Repeat treatments with any legal insecticide are advised and are almost always necessary.  Spot treatment of bedbugs with chemical formulations can make matters worse by allowing them to disperse and or develop resistance to the insecticide used.

Studies indicate that resistance to many of the chemical pesticides currently used is increasing in some bedbug populations in many areas of North America.  According to research at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, some of the latest “super bed bugs” can survive for up to 16 days after being directly sprayed with currently used pesticides designed to kill insects immediately.  Bedbugs have a cuticle on the outside of their body that is almost impenetrable to many insecticides used today, therefore the bugs do not pick up dried residues very well.  Bedbugs developed resistance to DDT  in 1950s, and then to its successors such as organophosphates like diazinon and malathion which were being used to clear up remaining infestations.<ref>http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1768&category=Environment</ref> DDT resistance can lead to pyrethroid resistance, as both pesticide classes act on the same target site.<ref>http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2010/01/21/kdr-pyrethroid-resistance-widespread-in-u-s-bed-bug-populations/</ref>

Studies indicate that resistance to many of the chemical pesticides currently used is increasing in some bedbug populations in many areas of North America.<ref>http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201006/2054573271.html</ref> According to research at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, some of the latest “super bedbugs” can survive for up to 16 days after being directly sprayed with currently used pesticides designed to kill insects immediately.  Bedbugs have a cuticle on the outside of their body that is almost impenetrable to many insecticides used today, therefore the bugs do not pick up dried residues very well.  Bedbugs developed resistance to DDT  in 1950s, and then to its successors such as organophosphates like diazinon and malathion which were being used to clear up remaining infestations.<ref>http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1768&category=Environment</ref> DDT resistance can lead to pyrethroid resistance, as both pesticide classes act on the same target site.<ref>http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2010/01/21/kdr-pyrethroid-resistance-widespread-in-u-s-bed-bug-populations/</ref>

Possibly the most effective agent against bed begs, with long residual effect, is Propoxur (marketed under the registered trademark name Baygon) a carbamate pesticide with a somewhat murky regulatory history. In a test of its effectiveness against bedbugs, while some of today’s leading pesticides could not kill even half of the bugs, propoxur a well as chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate) killed them all in an hour. However, Propoxur is a neurotoxin,  toxic to humans if ingested, and [[EPA]] research has found their nervous systems could be harmed, with infants and children being in the most danger. Serious overexposure can also cause death by cardiorespiratory depression.<ref>[http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201006/2054573271.html ''Bed Bugs: The Pesticide Dilemma'']</ref> It is therefore, like chlorpyrifos,<ref>http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/op/chlorpyrifos.htm</ref> banned by the EPA for use in locations where children may be present (residential buildings and hotels) Recently, the EPA denied a request  by the state of Ohio to allow its use therein by licensed exterminators.<ref>http://bedbugger.com/2010/06/11/bed-bugs-cheer-ohios-propoxur-exemption-request-denied/</ref>  

Possibly the most effective agent against bed begs, with long residual effect, is Propoxur (marketed under the registered trademark name Baygon) a carbamate pesticide with a somewhat murky regulatory history. In a test of its effectiveness against bedbugs, while some of today’s leading pesticides could not kill even half of the bugs, propoxur a well as chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate) killed them all in an hour. However, Propoxur is a neurotoxin,  toxic to humans if ingested, and [[EPA]] research has found their nervous systems could be harmed, with infants and children being in the most danger. Serious overexposure can also cause death by cardiorespiratory depression.<ref>[http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201006/2054573271.html ''Bed Bugs: The Pesticide Dilemma'']</ref> It is therefore, like chlorpyrifos,<ref>http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/op/chlorpyrifos.htm</ref> banned by the EPA for use in locations where children may be present (residential buildings and hotels) Recently, the EPA denied a request  by the state of Ohio to allow its use therein by licensed exterminators.<ref>http://bedbugger.com/2010/06/11/bed-bugs-cheer-ohios-propoxur-exemption-request-denied/</ref>  

===Freezing===

===Freezing===

A study on freezing bed bugs showed that 2 hours at 14°F killed all bed bugs and eggs when placed directly (not in clothes) in the freezer. But when a bag of laundry was placed in the freezer, it took about 8 hours for the temperature at the center of the bag to reach -17°C.<ref>[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2010/00000103/00000001/art00018 Naylor, R. A.; Boase, C. J. ''Practical Solutions for Treating Laundry Infested With Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)''] Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 103, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 136-139(4</ref>

A study on freezing bedbugs showed that 2 hours at 14°F killed all bedbugs and eggs when placed directly (not in clothes) in the freezer. But when a bag of laundry was placed in the freezer, it took about 8 hours for the temperature at the center of the bag to reach -17°C.<ref>[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2010/00000103/00000001/art00018 Naylor, R. A.; Boase, C. J. ''Practical Solutions for Treating Laundry Infested With Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)''] Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 103, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 136-139(4</ref>

===Volumetric heating===

===Volumetric heating===

The most effective natural means of eliminating bedbugs involves pumping superheated air into an mildly pressurized (windows sealed) house, or heating individual room to around 140F> Temperature probes are used to ensure that internal temperatures are high enough to kill the bugs and their eggs. <ref>http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201006/2054573271.html</ref>

The most effective natural means of eliminating bedbugs involves pumping superheated air into an mildly pressurized (windows sealed) house, or heating individual room to around 140F> Temperature probes are used to ensure that internal temperatures are high enough to kill the bugs and their eggs. <ref>http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201006/2054573271.html</ref>

One study concluded that it is important to achieve and maintain temperatures of above  118.4°F (48°C) for more than 20 min to effectively kill all life stages of bed bugs, considering the clutter in treated spaces and the fact that bed bugs move to cooler temperatures, treatment times must be much longer to penetrate cracks and crevices,  At 60-min exposure to 113°F , approximately 50% of adult bed bugs exposed survived, while 20% survived after 4 hours. Complete mortality was obtained at temperatures 118.4°F, 122°F, and 131°F for all exposure times except 10- min at 118.4°F.  Even if some nymphs emerged, they did not develop at temperatures higher than 118.4°F. No differences in mortality were shown between fed and unfed bed bugs.

One study concluded that it is important to achieve and maintain temperatures of above  118.4°F (48°C) for more than 20 min to effectively kill all life stages of bedbugs, considering the clutter in treated spaces and the fact that bedbugs move to cooler temperatures, treatment times must be much longer to penetrate cracks and crevices,  At 60-min exposure to 113°F , approximately 50% of adult bedbugs exposed survived, while 20% survived after 4 hours. Complete mortality was obtained at temperatures 118.4°F, 122°F, and 131°F for all exposure times except 10- min at 118.4°F.  Even if some nymphs emerged, they did not develop at temperatures higher than 118.4°F. No differences in mortality were shown between fed and unfed bedbugs.

90% higher temperatures than previously reported were required to kill bed bugs when the temperature rose slowly — possibly because of the way previous heat tests have been conducted — but it is not known what enables bed bugs to resist gradual heat stress.<ref>[http://www.propanecouncil.org/uploadedFiles/Council/Research_and_Development/REP_12221%20Efficacy%20of%20Heat%20on%20Bed%20Bugs.pdf Fundamental Research on the Efficacy of Heat on Bed Bugs and Heat Transfer in Mattresses''], TEMP-AIR, INC</ref>.

90% higher temperatures than previously reported were required to kill bedbugs when the temperature rose slowly — possibly because of the way previous heat tests have been conducted — but it is not known what enables bedbugs to resist gradual heat stress.<ref>[http://www.propanecouncil.org/uploadedFiles/Council/Research_and_Development/REP_12221%20Efficacy%20of%20Heat%20on%20Bed%20Bugs.pdf Fundamental Research on the Efficacy of Heat on Bed Bugs and Heat Transfer in Mattresses''], TEMP-AIR, INC</ref>.

The EPA will also soon be offering $550,000 in grants to state and tribal agencies for pilot projects relating to outreach and education. <ref>[http://bedbugger.com/2010/06/11/bed-bugs-cheer-ohios-propoxur-exemption-request-denied/ ''Bed bugs cheer: Ohio’s propoxur exemption request denied'']</ref>

The EPA will also soon be offering $550,000 in grants to state and tribal agencies for pilot projects relating to outreach and education. <ref>[http://bedbugger.com/2010/06/11/bed-bugs-cheer-ohios-propoxur-exemption-request-denied/ ''Bed bugs cheer: Ohio’s propoxur exemption request denied'']</ref>