Bedbugs were originally brought to the United States by early colonists from Europe. Bedbugs thrive in places with high occupancy, such as hotels. Bedbugs were believed to be altogether eradicated 50 years ago in the United States and elsewhere with the widespread use of DDT. One recent theory about bedbug reappearance involves potential geographic epicentres. Investigators have found three apparent United States epicentres at poultry facilities in Arkansas, Texas and Delaware. It was determined that workers in these facilities were the main spreaders of these bedbugs, unknowingly carrying them to their places of residence and elsewhere after leaving work.

Bedbug populations in the United States have increased by 500 percent in the past few years. The cause of this resurgence is still uncertain, but most believe it is related to increased international travel and the use of new pest-control methods that do not affect bedbugs. In the last few years, the use of baits rather than insecticide sprays is believed to have contributed to the increase.

When you have sleeping on your mind, they have eating on theirs. The bedbug, once thought to be a mythical creature that existed only within the ever popular statement “Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite” are in fact very real. Bedbugs once were very common inhabitants of inns throughout the country in the days of our founding fathers. In fact, George Washington was very particular about the inns in which he stayed and often performed thorough inspections prior to lying his head down at night.

Here are some basic steps that you can take to reduce your chance of bringing bedbugs home with you after your next trip:

1. When you arrive at your hotel, carefully pull back the sheets and blankets and examine the mattress paying careful attention to the seams, head section, and headboard. Bedbugs look much like tick and are large enough to be seen without magnification.

2. If you are bitten by bed bugs during your travels, whether in a hotel, private residence or on public transportation, it is not likely that you will bring these bed bugs home if you follow the steps outlined above. In many cases the itches from bites are delayed until the next day and you may incorrectly assume that you have transported bed bugs. Since bed bugs bite at night and hide by day, just entering an infested area during the day is not cause for alarm.

3. Bedbugs do not generally travel “on your person” per se’. They do, however, love to travel in luggage, bed linens, etc. Do not leave your luggage on the floor of hotel rooms that you stay in. Store them at the highest point possible within the room, and avoid storing anything clothing or toiletry items in drawers within the room.

4. Frequently, the first evidence of the presence of bed bugs is the sudden appearance of very itchy bites on your torso. It is important to seek medical attention if bites alone are the only evidence of bed bugs. Dermatologists may recognize skin rashes, allergies and other conditions that are not insect bites. If you determine that you have an infestation of bedbugs, wash curtains and bed linens in hot water, and call us so that we can follow up with necessary treatment.