Chicago tops the 2013 Bed Bug Cities List, released by pest control leader Orkin. The Windy City’s bed bug problem was serious enough that the City Council passed an ordinance in July 2013 requiring condo associations to have a formal management plan in place for the detection, inspection and treatment of these pests.

Bed bugs can be found almost anywhere, from apartment buildings to four star hotel rooms. Recently, they have become more problematic. Possible reasons include modern bed bugs’ resistance to pesticides, increased travel, and lack of public awareness. Bed bugs are hard to prevent because of their small size, night habits, and ability to hitchhike.  Bed bugs move around by hitching rides on clothing, furniture, bedding, and baggage. Bed bugs can live in any crack or crevice in or around your sleeping areas. Small cracks and crevices like the head of a screw, where your rails hook into the headboard and other similar areas.

Studies done by many different Universities and other organizations have shown that bed bugs DO NOT spread disease, but the physical and mental health consequences have been very well documented and are considered to be of great public concern. Some cities like Chicago have passed rules and regulations concerning bed bugs in their city.

Because bed bugs can be a major problem, it is very important for homeowners to call a professional who is equipped to treat their home the way it needs to be. We do not recommend the homeowner try to use chemicals and or heat to kill their bed bugs, as they do not have the knowledge needed to do the job the right way.

We recommend the use of CatchMaster Slider BDS monitors as a tool for your own sanity, as they can let you know if you still have a problem after you have had your home treated by a professional or just keep them out and checked on a regular basis for your peace of mind. You can even use our smaller glue boards as monitors and for your regular pest control.

• Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly
• Decrease clutter around your home – this will make bed bug inspections and detection much easier
• Dry potentially infested bed linens, curtains and stuffed animals on the hottest temperature allowed for fabric
• Before bringing second-hand furniture into your home, closely inspect it for any signs of bed bugs and quarantine it for a period of time before bringing it into your rooms
• Also, keep in mind that there is always a potential for bed bug activity, even if you don’t find any signs.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like