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Bed bugsjust the thought of them makes you itchy, doesn't it? These tiny critters feed on human blood and love to hide in and around the cracks and corners of our beds. And even though they don't carry disease, they do cause an itchy red rash.

New research suggests bed bugs first emerged about 100 million years ago, predating dinosaurs like T Rex. The pests survived the asteroid that led to the mass extinction of dinosaurs. Eventually, their favorite meal became bats and humans that inhabited caves in the Middle East. In ancient civilizations, the bugs were sometimes used as a home remedythe Egyptians used to put them in asnake bite treatment.

Bed bugs can be found all over the world, but the worst infestation problems tend to occur in developed countries where people use bed frames and soft bedding. Between 1930 and 1980, they were almost eliminated because the insecticide DDT were used to tackle infestations, but since DDT was banned, there's been a huge increase. Many are now immune to today's pest control chemicals. And increased levels of international travel are helping fuel the problem, as bed bugs can travel on clothing and in luggage. These are the 8 signs you're about to have a bed bug problem.

The U.S. cities with the the most bed bug infestationsthat pest control company Orkin had to address in 2018 include Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The states with some of the worst records for infestations are New York, California, and Floridabut bed bugs are found all over the country.

Bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate, especially the eggs, so it's important to try to prevent an infestation in the first place. Follow the steps in this detailed guide. But once they're established, they breed rapidly. An adult will lay around 250 eggs in her life cycle, and those eggs take only six to ten days to hatch.

It is possible to treat your home yourself? Here's our DIY guide to getting rid of bedbugs. If you've tried and still have a problem, professional help will be needed to eliminate them completely. Next, find out the 16 secrets bed bugs don't want you to know.

The post Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

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Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

INFOGRAPHIC | Scroll Down To See Where Your City Ranks

CBC News

Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 6:06 PM -Don't let the bed bugs bite, Hamilton because they're out there.

Hamilton ranked seventh on a list of Canada's top bed bug cities in 2018, according to pest control company Orkin Canada.

"Bed bugs are constant in Hamilton," said John Baardman, a local Orkin technician.

"The population isn't going down as far as I can see."

(RELATED: Bed bugs are now pesticide resistant)

The company's list is based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments it completed in 2018.

Toronto took the top spot, followed by Winnipeg then St. John's.

Terry Quinn, city project manager, said Hamilton is not unique bed bugs have been spreading across North America and affecting all cities.

The Orkin bed bug ranking doesn't surprise him, Quinn said because Hamilton is among the top 10 largest cities in Canada, so "I'd expect we'd be in the top 10."

Bed bugs can happen to anyone and in any place, he said, although they spread most easily in multi-unit buildings like condos, apartments and hotels.

But nobody is immune to the bed bug bites.

"As long as there's a human that's sleeping, the bed bug will attack," Baardman said.

Orkin Canada's made its list based on how many commercial and residential bed bug treatments it did in 2018. Click to see a larger image. (Orkin Canada)

The critters feed on human blood and are "finely tuned to be with human beings," he added.

Quinn said the city started seeing a resurgence of bed bugs within the last decade.

In late 2015, the city approved a $1 million bed bug strategy.

Quinn said they've noticed changes in awareness and landlord action since starting the strategy, and are hoping to extend it past June 2019.

"It's a significant issue," Quinn said. "It really depends building to building."

The city has more information on finding, preventing and managing bed bugs here.

If you have bed bugs, you may see a reaction to on your skin, tiny black droppings on bed sheets and frames, and the bugs themselves, according to Baardman.

"Bed bugs love cracks and crevices," he added, and are especially prevalent in bed box frames so people should check in the tufts and seams of their top mattress and box spring.

The bugs are also territorial and will branch out to other parts of the bedroom as the population grows.

They may start living in headboards, Baardman said, and behind pictures and mirrors and as the population gets really big, you could find them in curtains or window and door frames.

"It's at that pint you have a very serious infestation, but it happens often," he said.

Bed bugs can happen to anyone, said city project manager Terry Quinn. Unlike with other pests, human beings are their bait.

The city also recommends looking along bedroom baseboard cracks, around tables and night stands and in the cracks and corners of furniture, among other places.

If you find bed bugs, Baardman recommends catching one and putting it in a plastic bag, so experts can identify it.

Want to prevent the unwelcome pests? Then be aware of who's in your bed.

"A very common way to get bed bugs is to spend the night with somebody who has them," Baaderman said.

And be cautious of what you're bringing home especially used items like clothing, furniture, or book spines.

(RELATED: Everything you've ever wanted to know about bed bugs)

Among its recommendations, the city says to check luggage and immediately wash and dry all clothes after returning from a trip.

Baardman also recommends keeping your place clutter-free.

"It's much easier to find bed bugs if you live in a simple environment."

If you think your sheets or clothing are infested, Orkin Canada suggests drying them on the highest heat possible.

Bed bugs are "good hitchhikers," the company stated, so "early detection is the best way to reduce the chances of an infestation."

Orkin Canada says the country's bed bug problems have grown in the past two decades. Travelling leads to more bed bug opportunities, as does greater density in living and working spaces, a spokesperson said.

Although Hamilton finished 13th on the company's 2017 list, Baardman doesn't think the city's bed bug problem necessarily got worse last year he just believes more people are calling his company.

"It was very bad a few years ago and it's still very bad right now," he said.

Bedbugs are unlike other kinds of pests, Quinn noted.

"They're not coming for food scraps of unsanitary conditions," he said. "They're coming for you."

This story was written for the CBC by Laura Howells.

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News - Canada's bed bug hot spots: See where your city ...

Theyre everyones least-favorite house guestsand no, were not talking about in-laws. Were talking about bed bugs: the tiny, sneaky pests that can take over your home and start their own extended family in the comfort of your bedding and furniture. Did we mention they bite, too?

Bed bugs are increasingly common in residential settings, but that doesnt make them any more comfortable to deal with. These crawling critters are out for blood (literally), and theyll stop at nothing to get it from you. And lets be realno one wants to wake up with a bunch of painful bite marks.

When dealing with bed bugs, it helps to be informed so you know what to expect. Thats why weve combed over Orkins massive bed bug knowledge database and picked out five key facts every homeowner should learn about these nighttime nuisances.

They have a flat, broad, oval shaped body and dark brown colouring. Adult bed bugs are very small (4-5 mm long) but still visible to the naked eyeso you can put the microscopes away.

These pests are speedsters. Bed bugs have been recorded traveling at about a meter a minute. For a human, of course, thats nothing. But at a bed bugs size, its a full-on sprint. In fact, its the equivalent of a person running the length of a football field four and a half times in 60 seconds.

Bed bugs are nocturnal pests, meaning they prefer to feed at night. Typically, they are most active between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. But theyre also not too picky about timing and will seek a food source during the day if they get hungry.

Research from the University of Cincinnati has shown that bed bugs can carry almost 50 pathogens, which they leave behind in fecal matter. Fortunately, transmission of these pathogens to humans remains undocumentedbut we can all likely agree that having pathogens spread across our homes isnt ideal.

Bed bug populations can double about once every 16 days. That means if you have 500 bed bugs today, you could end up with 1,000 in just over two weeks. Yikes.

Now that you know the most interesting facts about bed bugs, its time to take steps to keep them from taking over your living space. The risk is real, but it can be greatly reduced with professional assistance. Call your Orkin Canada branch today to learn how to protect your home from bed bugs and keep yourself, your family and your guests out of harms way.

If you would like to download this fact sheet, click here.

Excerpt from:
The 5 Most Interesting Facts About Bed Bugs | Orkin Canada