Click on thumbnails to view larger image

In case you haven’t heard: Bedbugs are making a big come-back! The National Pest Management Association’s member companies are reporting 50 times more bedbug calls than usual in recent years.

Why? First of all, us humans are moving from place to place more and traveling more frequently, especially abroad. Second, we may have seen evidence of bedbugs and not known what it was. Finally, most of our pest control has switched to cockroaches and similar insects. Bedbugs feed on blood, so they don’t ingest most insect baits, plus they are very good at detecting and avoiding chemicals.

Bedbugs can happen anywhere. They’re flat, wingless, brownish-red ovals that are teeny-tiny, and they’re good at hitchhiking in luggage, shoes and boxes. World-class hotels have reported bedbug problems. They hide in mattresses and upholstery, furniture crevices, wood trim, and behind wallpaper and picture frames. Since they only appear at night to snack on people as they sleep, you could have them staying at your house and not know.

Bedbugs are extremely difficult to eliminate. Do-it-yourself measures make them laugh. Sanitation alone will not help. Your best bet is a professional pest control expert.