Most households of this generation have never seen a bed bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity among pest control professionals. Changes in modern pest control practice and increased city and global traveling are factors suspected for the recurrence.

Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in secluded areas, depositing up to five a day and 500 during a lifetime. Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep, however they will adjust you’re the host sleeping pattern and will be day feeders if that is when the host is sleeping. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices - especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards.

A common concern with bed bugs is whether they transmit diseases. Although bed bugs can harbor pathogens in their bodies, transmission to humans is highly unlikely and has yet to be documented.

Bed Bugs can be very difficult to control, their flat bodies allow them to hide in many tiny places, so inspections and treatments are very thorough.

Owners and occupants will need to assist in important ways. Since bed bugs can disperse throughout a building, it's not a good idea to use over the counter pest control products since they may disperse the insects and force them into other, deeper hiding places. It's a good idea, but also may be necessary to treat adjoining rooms and apartments.

Outer Borough Pest Control has committed to following the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Bed Bugs, which were recently released by NPMA

Affording access for inspection and treatment is essential, excess clutter will become hiding and harborages areas and therefore should be removed. In some cases, infested furniture, electronics, mattresses and box springs will need to be discarded. We recommend purchasing a high-quality Hypoallergenic zippered mattress cover. Covering your mattresses & box springs will trap & starve bed bugs already infesting these items as well as prevent future infestations.

As in cockroach control, there are many state of the art control techniques available. To limit the use of pesticides vacuuming & and steam treatments are available. They are simple cost effect ways to control an infestation and should be considered along with the traditional residual treatment. As in all pest control programs the elimination of harborage areas should be eliminated, this includes removing clutter and sealing all cracks and crevices in the infested room.

When a treatment is performed, all items in the room are treated, this includes but not limited to beds, furniture, picture frames closets and electrical outlets.