Bed Bugs, also known as "red coats", "chinches", or "mahogany flats", are very difficult to eradicate. They are more than a simple nuisance as they bite humans leaving itchy, red sores. It takes 3-10 minutes to feed
Bedbugs go into semi-hibernation below 16ºC and die at 44-45ºC
Size: 1/4" - 3/8" (4 - 5 mm) long
Colour: Reddish brown or brown
Body: Flat, oval shaped, no wings
Eggs: Bed bug eggs are white and about the size of a pinhead
Adulthood is reached in 21 days @ 30ºC, and
                                   120 days @ 18ºC
In cracks and crevices in the floor or bed; when infestations are severe, bed bugs will be found behind wall hangings, picture frames, under carpets, behind loose wallpaper, and other such places NOTE: like other insects, bed bugs can live in bird nests and old wasp nests. It is therefore worthwhile to inspect attics for old unused nests and remove them.
Each female lays approximately 200 eggs at a rate of 1 - 5 per day Bed bugs feed primarily on humans exposed bare skin, but will also feed on other mammals if humans are not present Primarily at night; however, if hungry, they will feed in the day 2 weeks to a year and a half (depending on temperature and food availability)

• Black spots where the bugs have been
• Blood stains on mattresses and sheets
• Presence of a musty, sweet odour in the room (like fresh raspberries)
• Presence of red, itchy spots on a person
NOTE: Not all people react to bed bug bites and therefore this is not the determining factor in detecting a bed bug infestation

When bed bugs are in one area of a building, eventual migration into other areas is certain. Consultation with a professional pest control company is mandatory, as bed bug infestations are very difficult to control.

There is a strong correlation between bed bugs in a building and bats in an attic or wall void. It is worthwhile to check these areas for bats and take appropriate measures to eliminate them. spe Probably the most up to date information is available at http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp "A thorough inspection may take several hours, but is indispensable. Treat any bed bugs found with an appropriately labeled pesticide; in general, airosols and liquids are best, but dusts are better for under baseboards, the tac-strip area under carpets, and voids including outlet boxes and the inner framework of sofas and stuffed chairs. The proper use of steam has proven to be an effective means of control in certain situations such as mattresses, boxsprings, stuffed furniture, stuffed toys, etc., but depth of penetration can be a problem. Use the large nozzle 1.5" from the surface and move slowly.

Great care should be taken when treating mattresses, box springs, and uopholstery to keep pesticide exposure to the customer to a minimum; allow for thorough drying before reuse. Infantl;s and inirmed person's bedding and ved frames should not be treated. If the customer is comfortable with the idea, mattresses and boxsprings can be encased in tight-sealing covers designed for house dust mite prevention or control. Otherwise, they should be replaced with uninfested items.

Infested items including linens and clothes should only be removed from a room once they are encased in a plastic bag to prevent spreading the infestaion by bed bugs falling off during transport. A normal hot wash cycle will kill bed bugs. Running dry clothes or other items non-washables such as backpacks, shoes, etc.) through a hot drier as hot as the fabrics can withstand for 10 minutes kills all stages, but don't run larger than half loads. If freezing is appropriate or desirable, hold the items in -5ºC for 5 days in a non-defrosting kind of freezer.

If a bed bug infestation is discovered when it is confined to 1 or 2 places, it can often be controlled with a single application to infested and adjoining areas, and/or by replacing the infested items; follow-up inspections should be scheduled at least monthly to be sure. For established infestations, several services will be required with 2-week intervals being the norm for the first 2 or 3 months depending on the severity of the infestation. In apartment buildings and hotels, it's highly advisable to also inspect units to either side and above and below the infested unit(s), and treat as required.

In apartments, one study found that the box springs were the most heavily infested item (35%), mattresses (22%) and sofas/reclining chairs (23%) were about tied for second, and bedframes/headboards were third (13%). The other 7% were found in items such as inside a coffee makers and books, associated with walls, ceilings, and baseboards, in nightstands and dressers, which were often several feet away from the bed. The time spent was 1-2 man-hours on the initial and at least 1 hour (and often much morea) on each follow-up visit. Especially on the initial, 2 people are required to lift, tear apart, and move furniture. In hotels/motels, headboards mounted on walls are usually the place of first infestation. Even though complaints should greatly diminish or stop after a few weeks of service, follow-up inspections are advisable for several months because it is extremely difficult to achieve 100% elimination. Remember, bed bugs are easily reintroduced, especially in communal or rental units/situations.

In cases where the infestation is severe, high pyrethroid resistance is established, when peace-of-mind must be addressed, and/or when quick elimination is required, fumigation should be seriously considered. Fumigation may at first appear to be costly, but when every cost or loss is added up, it may be very cost effective."