In this undated photo released July 24, 2001, by the University of Florida, a common bed bug is engorged with blood after feeding on a human arm. ( AP Photo/University of Florida, File)

You are most likely here because you either have bed bugs and would like somebody to get rid of them or you would like to try and figure how you can get rid of them yourself.

The first step is identification.  Do you have bed bugs?  Normally a person discovers bed bugs because they begin to experience bites on their body.  Bites are typically random and found on multiple parts of the body.  Many people are surprised to find out that bed bugs are a real pest.  Prior to World War II, bed bugs were a common problem in the United States.  With chemicals such as DDT and others, bed bugs were reduced to the scale of a realitively scarce problem in the U.S.  Approaching the year 2K, bed bugs were gaining ground as one of the fastest growing pest problems in the U.S.  It is believed that the resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S. is primarily attributed to the use of alternative insecticide application methods such as baiting for roaches and ants and other pests rather than the former wide use of broad spectrum sprayable insecticides.  It has also been widely stated that the other major contributing factor has been the increase in international travel to and from the U.S. in recent years.

The following are some of the frequently asked questions about bed bugs:

1.)  How do I know that I have bed bugs?

       Answer:  Most individuals discover that they have bed bugs when they begin to notice bites on their body.  These may be numerous bites spread all over the body at random.  The bites may feel itchy and irritated.  Individuals may react in varying degrees to bed bug bites.

2.)  How did I get them?

       Answer:  There are a number of ways to bring bed bugs into your living space.  The following are a few possibilites; hotels/motels, guests staying in your home that brought them in, children having sleepovers at an infected site and bringing furniture into your home which is already infested with bed bugs.  These are just a few of the more common sources of the problem.

3.)  Is it possible to eliminate them?

       Answer:  Yes, it is possible to eliminate bed bugs from an infected site.  It may require very thorough inspecting and treating processes but it can be done.

4.)  How do I eliminate them?

       Answer:  This depends on whether you want to do it yourself or enlist the services of a professional.  If you are going to go it on your own you should be thoroughly familiar with what you are up against and what your plan of attack is going to be.  Read what you reasonably can on the matter.  Try to receive information that is congruent among multiple sources.  If you are going to receive assistance from a professional, again, do your homework and ask questions that are going to address and satisfy your specific questions and concerns.  Professionals should be willing to take the time to explain their processes and procedures to you.  It is your priveledge to know what is being done in your home and what products are being applied.

5.)  Do I need to throw away my furniture and personal items?

       Answer:  This is a difficult question to respond to with a concrete answer.  Some individuals may quickly suggest getting rid of some or all of your furniture.  Particularly those items that have been identified in harboring these pests.  The challenge is that the bed bugs can live deeply in the inner recesses of the infected furniture.  If they remain deep in these items they can stay away from insecticidal applications. 

6.)  Is this something I can do myself?

       Answer:  Yes of course it is.  If you study enough you can figure out the processes, procedures and techniques which the professionals employ.  The question is whether you want to spend the time figuring it all out.

7.)  What about my children and pets?

      Answer:  If you follow all labels and instructions for products used to control bed bugs your children and pets should be safe.