How many of us have heard that term and laughed?  Bed Bugs?  Surely a wives tale or children's story character.  That's what I thought - until last year.  A friend had found a bed frame that was being given away, fixed it up like new and presented it to my roommate as present.  Little did we know that it was a home for the infamous Bed Bug - flash forward about 4 months and we're avoiding two rooms in our apartment, throwing out my mattress, asking Tammy's father to smuggle chemical pesticides across state lines and spending hundreds of dollars of much needed bill money to wash every piece of fabric in the place.

Apparently we were not alone in our struggle.  Last year 311 reported almost 10,000 Bed Bug complaints throughout the 5 boroughs.  An increase of over 1/3 from the previous year.  Hopefully this entry will help you recognize a Bed Bug infestation and give you some options to get rid of the little suckers.

A Little Bit About Bed Bugs
A bed bug is a wingless, rust-colored insect about the size of an apple seed. They are nocturnal parasites, which means they rest during the day and come out to dine on the blood of humans at night. Bedbugs are attracted by human body heat and typically favor feasting on our shoulders and arms.  During feeding, they pierce the skin of their victims, injecting bedbug saliva.  Bed Bugs typically feed for five to ten minutes at a time. As the little critter fills with blood, its coloring changes from light brown to rust-red.

Bed Bugs often spread by hitching rides on people's clothing. They jump from host to host when people brush up against each other in crowds (yet another reason to keep your distance on the subway).  Since bed bugs hide in small crevices, they also travel with luggage, furniture, boxes, ect. This is how they move between hotels, homes and apartments. Used furniture, particularly bed frames and mattresses, are of greatest risk of harboring bed bugs and their eggs. They may be present in vacant apartments hiding in cracks and crevices since they may survive up to a year without a meal.

Recognizing The Signs of Infestation
Fecal spots and bloody spots (that looks like rust) left on sheets and pillowcases when engorged bugs are crushed serve as sure signs of infestation. They prefer to hide in cracks and crevices during the daytime and because they can flatten their bodies, they can fit in very small holes, especially around the bed area. However if necessary, they will hide several feet away.

• Inspect mattresses top, sides and bottom. Check all buttons, seams and rips.
• Inspect electrical switch plates, pictures on walls, wall posters.
• Inspect cracks in plaster or seams in wall paper.
• Inspect electrical appliances-radios, phones, televisions, ect.,looking in hiding places.
• Inspect tack strips under wall-to-wall carpeting and behind baseboards.
• Inspect secondhand beds, bedding, and furniture.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
Getting rid of bedbugs can be tricky. However, these annoying pests can be eliminated, usually with the help of a professional exterminator.

Here are some do-it-yourself methods you can try before you call the exterminator:

• Thoroughly wash, vacuum or clean all surfaces and bedding.
• Wash or dry-clean bedding and affected clothing. Use hot water and a dryer on the hottest setting whenever possible.
• Vacuum mattresses, seal them in plastic and leave them outside in the hot sun for as long as possible.
• Steam clean carpets.
• Spray cracks and crevices with an insecticide designed to control bedbugs. Follow the label directions carefully. Do not treat bedding with insecticide.

If these methods don't work, it may be necessary to hire a professional. A qualified exterminator can use stronger insecticides to kill the bedbugs. Repeat visits may be necessary to ensure that all bedbugs are eliminated.  Remember that if you rent in New York, your Landlord is legally responsible for getting rid of these parasites and paying for all the exterminations - so let them know as soon as you think there may be a problem.

Local Bed Bug Exterminators

Bed Bug Magic

Bed Bug King

Knockout Pest Control

Bed Bug Exterminators NYC

NY Bed Bug Dogs