Small, oval, non-flying insectsAdult bed bugs reach 5-7 mm in

lengthHave flat bodiesAre mistaken for ticks or small

cockroachesAdult bed bugs are reddish

brown in colorBed bugs can not fly

Asia, Europe, and Africa

Scientist think they got to the U.S by getting into luggage and furniture that is imported from those continents

They were common in the U.S. before World War II and became rare after widespread use of the pesticide DDT began in the 1940s and 1950s

From other countries in:Luggage FurnitureCarpetsMattressesBlankets PicturesClothing

Mattresses

Box Springs

Bed Frames

Head Boards

Under peeling paint and loose wallpaper

Under carpeting near baseboards

In upholstered furniture seams

Under light switch plates or electrical outlets

They infest hotels and homes/houses.

They bite and suck blood.

They inject an anti-blood clotting chemical into the skin.

They cause welts when they bite.

They are in all 50 states in the U.S.

California has the most bed bug infestations in the U.S.

New York has the 2nd most bed bug infestations in the U.S.

They can be found in hotels and in homes or 2nd hand furniture.

Red, often with a darker red spot in the middle

Itchy

Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster

Located on the face, neck, arms and hands

Wash the areas that have been bitten by bed bugs with a gentle cleanser and water. Use a soft cloth, such as a baby washcloth, to avoid further irritation and add a thin layer of antibiotic cream.

Apply Polysporin or Neosporin directly to the affected areas. If it is a small child who has been bitten, you may want to cover the area with a small bandage to help prevent them from scratching.

Take Benadryl or another oral antihistamine if an allergic reaction occurs. An allergic reaction in the form of a red rash occurs in about 80 percent of those bitten. Allow several days for the redness and swelling of Bed Bug bites to go down.

Wash all bedding in hot water

Put stuffed animals and soft toys in a plastic bag for several weeks

Vacuum everything in the house

Use recommended pesticides

A recommended pesticide is “Bug Patrol”

http://search.medicinenet.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?Searchwhat=1&query=bedbugs

http://www.bed-bug.org/infestation

http://www.ehow.com/how_4911153_rid-bed-bug-bites.html

http://quickcare.org/misc/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com