Bed Bugs

What is a Bed Bug?

By nature, bed bugs are stow-a-ways. They enter homes or apartments by hiding out in the cracks and crevices of luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes and other objects when they are moved between apartments, homes and hotels. Unfortunately, bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, so they may be present in vacant, clean homes when new tenants unpack. Once bed bugs are established, they can spread from room to room. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) received hundreds of calls last year from all over the country about bed bugs. The following collection of resources is intended to help you make informed decisions about how to control bedbug infestations in your home or business. Call NPIC with any questions, or read about a bed bug call in NPIC's collection of Common Pesticide Questions.

Keep in mind these important tips:

• Always read and follow label directions for any pesticide product, including household pest killers. It's the law.
• The first step in any effective control program is proper pest identification. For help identifying your pest try contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service.
• Many experts recommend an IPM approach, which stands for Integrated Pest Management. This approach emphasizes prevention, sanitation and exclusion, and utilizes pesticides only as a last resort when other options have failed.
• Bedbugs can be very difficult to control for a variety of reasons. If you're thinking about hiring a professional, check out our site: How to Select a Pest Control Company.

Bed Bug Information

• Bed Bugs are Back! An IPM Answer - Cornell University
• Bed Bug Insect Notes - North Carolina State University
• Bed Bug Fact Sheet - Cornell University
• Bed Bug Fact Sheet - University of Kentucky (Available in Spanish)
• Bed Bug Fact Sheet - Ohio State University
• Managing Bed Bugs - University of Nebraska Lincoln
• Control of Bed Bugs In Residences - Univesity of Minnesota Extension
• Prevention and Control of Bed Bugs in Residences: Information for Homeowners and Tenants - Univesity of Minnesota Extension
• Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bed Bugs in Shelters and Group Living Facilities - Cornell University
• Guidelines for the Control and Prevention of Bed Bug Infestations in California - California Department of Public Health
• Traveler Q & A: Preventing bed bugs from hitchhiking to your home - Univesity of Minnesota Extension

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