How Are Bedbugs Transmitted?

"Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite!" Most of us heard this silly little rhyme as small children when our parents tucked us in at night. Imagine the horror that comes when you realize your home has been infested by real live bedbugs, and that once they've moved in, it's extremely difficult to get them to pack up and leave.

History and Geography

• Before World War II, most homes dealt with bedbugs at one time or another. With the invention of DDT, a now-banned pesticide, in the 1950s, bedbugs became a more rare occurrence. Now, however, with global travel on the rise, and more environmentally conscience people reluctant to use pesticides carelessly, bedbug infestation has experienced a resurgence. There is a certain stigma that comes with bedbugs, but just as with human head lice, they can strike anywhere, at any time. From the swankiest hotel to the lowliest shack, bedbugs thrive. They can be transmitted via luggage, pets, humans and even dry cleaning.

Identification

• Bedbugs can hide in clothing folds, drawers, even behind electrical outlet covers.

  Bedbugs are small (about one-fifth of an inch) flat, wingless insects that feed on human blood. They are dark brown or mahogany, and more maroon or red after feeding. They are hardy and can live for up to 18 months without feeding. As they are nocturnal, they're almost impossible to find during the day. They hide in crevices, in the folds of clothing, inside drawers and picture frames. A bedbug infestation is usually identified by rows of small bites on the skin or a rash, either of which may be accompanied by small blood spots on the bed linens.

Effects

• While bedbugs do not transmit diseases, they do leave small red indentations, typically in rows, when they feed on people. Those who are more sensitive to insect bites can have more serious reactions. Although bedbugs do administer an anesthetic so that their prey doesn't feel the bite, if there are several bites in one night, it can get annoying enough to wake the victim from slumber. Sometimes, more than 500 bites per night can occur. Enough bites can make the victim develop an iron deficiency, and become anemic over time.

Prevention/Solution

• Unfortunately, there is no prevention. Bedbugs can show up in any venue, in any neighborhood. The first thing to do is to call a local exterminator who is adept at bedbug abatement. Be prepared to spend a good deal of time and money ridding the home of these pesky bloodsuckers. Aside from repeated extermination costs, there is also steam and dry cleaning costs, as well as the possible replacement of some furniture.

Warning

• If bedbugs are suspected, do not go sleep on a friend's couch! This can just spread the bedbug infestation. However, don't throw the mattress out the window just yet, either. And, if you're a city dweller who is familiar with the sight of mattresses, couches, dressers and the like sitting on the sidewalk, think twice before taking it home to spruce up your studio apartment. You could be bringing home a whole new batch of unwanted friends.