Bed bugs are back, and everyone has some risk of becoming infested. The following is information you need to protect your home, because the best defense is PREVENTION.

1. The very first thing you need to know is that a bed bug is visible and is about the size of a tick. Many people believe a bed bug is to small to see, so they don't inspect.

2. Inspection. Anyone who believes they may have come in contact with bed bugs must perform a quick visual inspection of ones clothes including shoes. It will help to have another person inspect your back. Be sure you perform this inspection before you enter your vehicle and obviously before you enter your home. This inspection would be very similar to a tick inspection when exiting the woods

3. Who's at risk? - Right now we have found two major risk factors - Travel and Used furniture. If you are planning to travel we recommend you inspect the bedding, mattress and night stands in your hotel room before bringing in your luggage. Used furniture has been a real problem for many homes as well. We recommend that you do not pick up furniture that has been put out for trash, it may be out for trash because it is infested with bed bugs. Rental furniture is also a risk, be sure to inspect it carefully before bringing it home.

4. A few facts. A Bed Bug survives on what is called a "blood meal". The Bed Bug will feed on your blood. Bed Bugs get their name because they like to live in or very close to your bed. The Bed Bug pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anesthetics, while with the other it withdraws the blood of its host. After feeding for about five minutes, the bug returns to its hiding place. The bites cannot usually be felt until some minutes or hours later.

A Bed Bug can live up to a year without a blood meal. So going on vacation for a week will not rid your home of Bed Bugs.

To date, Bed Bugs have not shown the ability to transmit disease, but infection(s) have been reported from excess scratching.

If you have a Bed Bug infestation it is recommened to call a professional with Bed Bug experience. COMMAND Termite & Pest Management offers free inspections, and if Bed Bugs are discovered, we will remove Bed Bugs from your home at a reasonable rate.

As we said in the beginning, the best protection is PREVENTION.

COMMAND Termite & Pest Management - (937) 838-0114