Many professionals site increased tourism as having contributed to the problem because bedbugs are transported in luggage from overseas. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported the United States had a record 51 million international tourists in 2000, up from 48 million in 1999 and up 14 percent from 1995 when 43 million visited. The steady increases coincide with strengthening economies in Asia and South America.

Pest control professionals are quick to add that in addition to increased tourism, a change in pest-control techniques has unintentionally aided the insect's comeback. The bedbug, has not been a serious problem in the US since the early 40's when the pesticide DDT came into widespread use. When DDT was banned in the early 70's other pesticides in categories such as organophosphates (Dursban), carbamates (Baygon) and pyretheroids took the place of DDT. Pest control professionals recognize that changing its techniques (such as broadband spraying) and subsequently practically eliminating sprays altogether is a contributing factor. In place of sprays less toxic insect baits and hormonal insect growth regulators have increased usage .The latest baiting techniques looked like a plausible situation from the onset as safer and a more technologically advanced approach to pest-control. However, the side effects of this evolution has aided the bedbug's resurgence.

Education is the best defense it has been over fifty years since the US experienced a serious problem with bedbugs, so most hospitality workers do not know what to look for. The best preventative treatments for bedbugs are to inspect rooms, treat, and seal up hiding spots..

The bedbug' preferred food source, human blood form a sleeping person is available no matter how clean the environment is. They can be brought into any environment and are very good at hiding, which provides an equal opportunity for infestations no matter what the cost of the stay is. The Bedbug travels well with humans, bites, and draws blood from a human host; lives in darkness, and unfortunately, can ruin a businesses reputation if left unchecked. Several lawsuits are pending against the hospitality industry due to the Bedbug one reportedly in the millions-of-dollars range. Most suits are still pending before the US court system as of March of 2006. Such action has promoted growing concerns within the hospitality industry. Strategies for specific protection programs are now leading comprehensive liability coverage in a proactive approach to growing potentialities.

Bedbug Systems developed strategies early in 2006 to combat the Bedbug and protect the hospitality industry. We have found that using a combination of Bedlam and Delta Dust, used properly has decreased the bedbug population greatly. In addition, the only full proof way to keep Bed bugs off the mattresses is to use a Full Mattress Encasement.

In the bedroom where conditions favor Bedbugs, Bedbugsystems.com has developed several strategies for the hospitality industry including:
(1) General maintenance that may be done in house by employees
(2) Use of Mattress and Box Spring Encasements that prevent all Bed bugs from infestation.

3- When performing bed inspections, changeovers, and quarterly mattress flips. Awareness of indicators and communication are the most important factors. In house maintenance is a low cost alternative to outsourcing pest control services PPS provides the industry with a managed proactive Bedbug treatment program. The PPS Bedbug program manages entry points and habitats Bedbugs and provide through inspections of all units. The comprehensive inspection includes disassembly of the bed, removal of drawers and moving of furniture to access for inspection and treatment applications. Reassembly includes a certification tag placed on the mattress identifying position, date, and treatment information. Clearance Reports and certifications provide management records of Programs, Guarantees, and Warrantees all available to meet specific needs.

Bedbugsystems was started due to the emerging disease program that cites unknowing travelers who may bring alien species across the globe rapidly, in which much of the world's health watch community agreed to the possible dangers. When the first case of Bedbugs hit South Florida, many of the pest control company's customers were not forewarned of the possibilities and not prepared for the gravity of handling the situation. Today it is apparent that it is more likely a matter of "when" and not "if" Bedbugs will strike and such situations are best preceded by study, planning, and precautions.

Bedbugs were for a time noticeably absent from the forefront of American culture especially in the latter part of the 20th century. The Bedbug reoccurrence is partially due several factors that may include the removal of residual pesticide compounds from the market as well as world travel. In 1998, the PPS entomologists were at first

excited by studying the newly reintroduced Bedbug specimens. However, within days, their excitement turned to amazement as the resiliency of the animal became apparent. Bedbug habitat studies have since turned up many weaknesses as is common to most insects and in 2006, many new products continue to become available for the pest industry as well as the consumer. Communication and a watchful eye continue to play a big part of preparedness.

Biology 101
The Bedbug

General Information: Bedbug.
Order/ Family: Heteroptera/ Cimicidae.
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius Linnaeus

Natural History
Cimex lectularius, or the bedbug, has specially adapted mouthparts for piercing and sucking blood. Bedbugs have worldwide distribution and have been associated with human habitation for many centuries.

Identification

- Bedbugs are wingless insects with flattened oval shaped bodies that are segmented, measuring approximately 5 - 7mm, about 1/5 of an inch in length as adults but the nymphal (immature) stages are smaller. Male and Female look similar, although female is slightly larger.

- The bedbug possesses a thin outer covering called the cuticle. This surface is covered with wax and minute, fine hairs.

- The Bedbug cannot fly as its wings are reduced to short wing pads reduced to small stumps, and useless for flight.

- Each bug has six stout legs that enable them to move rapidly when disturbed.

- They are pale brown in color, which changes to a red brown with a blood meal of which distends its body swelling as it feeds.

- A bedbug has a large scent gland that produces a number of different chemicals. Some communicate alarm signals and cause other bedbugs to disperse.

- Their head is short, broad, and equipped with a pair of prominent antennae and two dark compound eyes.

- Four-segmented antennae are attached to the head between the prominent compound eyes.

- The three-segmented beak, or proboscis, is located beneath the head and passes back between the front legs. The sucking mouthparts are held close beneath the head and thorax when not in use, and swung down into position before feeding. Piercing and sucking the feeding apparatus is a tubular piercing needle. The sharp, mobile end can probe around for a blood vessel before the bug starts to suck.

A bedbug has a special ingredient in its saliva (spit) that keeps blood from clotting while it is eating. As with other blood sucking species, the bites of bedbugs produce a range of reactions in humans from virtually none at all to considerable pain and swelling. The welts and local inflammation is caused by allergic reaction to an anticoagulant enzyme secreted by the bedbug's salivary glands and injected during feeding. The bedbug's skin-piercing needle is extremely fine so it often sucks blood unnoticed.

Both sexes suck blood, but an egg-carrying female needs more nourishment. She may drink up to five times her body weight in five to ten minutes, so that her body becomes visibly inflated. Once sated the bug returns to its refuge to digest its meal and it may be several days before it feeds again.

Habitat is found almost worldwide, it has readily taken to living in people's houses, squeezing its disc-like body into small spaces. Any crack in the plaster, crevice in the woodwork or cavity behind loose wallpaper may provide a suitable lair. At night, it moves from its daytime den into people's beds, where it feeds until sated. Several bedbugs often roost in company, clustering together in the same crevice. Able to lie dormant for several weeks without food, the bug emerges when it senses a nearby warm-blooded host. The lifestyle is solitary when feeding, but it shares refuges. The bugs stay in close contact with each other and conceal themselves under the seams of mattresses, floorboards and in cracks and crevices of walls, paintings, and furniture.

During its life, it survives entirely upon fresh blood, and may starve for several weeks waiting for a suitable victim to come within range. Its habit of entering humans' beds for their blood has earned it its common name. Bedbugs depend on blood for their complete nutrition and feed frequently where possible. These bugs sense the presence of warm-blooded animals and will move some distance for a blood meal. They respond to the warmth and carbon dioxide of a host and quickly locate a suitable feeding site. At the commencement of the blood feeding the host's skin is held by the forelegs of the bug and pierced by the mouthparts whilst injecting a small amount of saliva. It takes 5-10 minutes for complete engorgement. Starving bedbugs have been known to venture out to blood feed during daylight hours, but only in darkened rooms. Bedbugs can survive for long periods without feeding and while their preferred host is human, they will feed on rodents, rabbits, bats, birds, hogs, family pets, and some other warm-blooded animals. Strangely enough, if hosts are scarce the bedbug tends to live longer, because it lies dormant for long periods between meals. It therefore takes a long time to grow to adult size. A similar delay in growth may occur if it is living somewhere very cold: a bedbug can survive in a dormant state for several months at freezing point, and then become active when it thaws out. Bedbugs, at any stage of development, are capable of withstanding starvation for 80 to 140 days; however, the older stages survive these fast periods better. In unheated buildings with sporadic food supply, adults can live a year or longer.

Each of the five nymphal stages requires at least one blood meal to molt to the next stage. The entire nymphal development takes 6-8 weeks, and there is no larval stage. (Nymphal bedbugs in ideal situations emerge from the eggs and take three to eight weeks to become adults in a well-heated house.) The nymphal bugs that emerge are tiny replicas of their mother, unlike many insects that have a distinct immature larval stage as a grub or caterpillar. If it finds a suitable host, the tiny bug is able to feed on blood as soon as it is hatched. Nymphs are yellowish until they feed, after which they resemble animated drops of blood. They engorge themselves with blood in 3 to 10 minutes, and feed an average of 45 times to reach maturity. During development, they feed daily, but as adults, they feed less frequently. Nymphs may starve for up to two months and still survive, but it will not grow during that time. Similar to other insects, it has to shed its skin to grow bigger, molting five times until it reaches its full adult size and mate. One to two months with adequate food is required for an egg to mature into a fertile adult. If the bug can get enough to eat it, will be full-grown in three to eight weeks (37 to 128 days in cold areas), and live for about 10-18 months.

Adult bedbugs can live for 6 -12 months (up to 18 months in ideal environments given adequate food, two meals per week), and each female after mating will lay 1-5 eggs a day almost continuous, laid singly throughout her life she may lay up to 100-500 or more. These cream-colored eggs (1mm long, 0.5mm wide, in size) are cemented on rough surfaces of hiding places, and will hatch within 4-7 days in ideal conditions, 10 days at room temperature, but longer if the temperature is cooler to a maximum of three months. Breeding Season is all year round.

Clinical Presentation
The bedbug is a prime suspect as a vector of human disease having been associated with over 25 diseases. Although feasible in the laboratory, the transmission of pathogens has not been confirmed in actual field conditions. Bedbugs are therefore not considered natural vectors of any known human diseases yet but can cause a great deal discomfort and distress to those who come in close contact with. There can be a distressing loss of sleep, and the afflicted individuals wellbeing and morale can be reduced.

Common areas of the body that are affected involve the arms and shoulders with most bites resulting in a generalized allergic response. The wheals can be large (>1cm), and are accompanied by itching and inflammation, swelling, and occasionally blistering and excoriation of the skin. Wheals often subside to red spots (purpuric) which can last for several days. Bedbug bites look like little red bumps and they can sometimes occur in a line on the body.

Laboratory Diagnosis
A bedbug infestation can be diagnosed by the identification of specimens collected from the infected residence. Collection of live or dead bedbugs, cast skins, hatched or un-hatched eggs will determine an infestation. There are two species of bedbug that blood feed on humans but Cimex lectularius has the most widespread international distribution; the other species, C. hemipterus, is usually confined to tropical regions. In addition, some 74-bug species are known to feed on humans and many species of bats and birds. Both bat bedbugs and human bedbugs feed on humans and bats. Some scientists speculate that human bedbugs evolved from bat bedbugs sometime after bats adapted themselves to roost in human dwellings. It is important to realize that the species related to the human bedbug, swallow bedbugs; bat bedbugs, pigeon bedbugs, and chicken bedbugs, also bite humans.

Treatment and Control
Bedbugs have limited powers of dispersal beyond adjoining rooms, and their movement is dictated by the relocation of infected furniture and possessions to a new environment. Initially, minor infestations may result from the transfer, but the population of bedbugs will rapidly grow if left untreated.

In heavily infested rooms, bedbugs produce a characteristic, disagreeable pungent odor. Heavy infestations are usually accompanied by a sweet sickly smell. This is due to the scent glands which each bug possesses that emit an odor for communication purposes. Over time, the harborage areas become filled with the molted skins, feces, and old eggshells of the resident Bedbugs. These areas have a characteristic "stink bug" smell caused by a secretion emitted by the Bedbug.

Bedbugs are usually thought of as being associated with substandard housing and poor hygiene however as they have proven they are an equal opportunity pest no matter how good the standard or hygiene is. Walls, bedding and other areas that are infested are often marked with black and brown spots of excreta and excess blood. Clusters of tiny eggs in cracks and blood or fecal spots on sheets and pillowcases are other indicators of bedbug activity. Bedbugs have also been found hiding in bed frames.

Careful inspection of the infected premises should be undertaken to determine the extent of the problem before treatment commences. Look for eggs, nymphs, adults and/or black feces in cracks and spaces in the bed frame and bedstead, along baseboards, around window and door frames, picture frames, behind moldings, in light fixtures, under loose wallpaper and under upholstery. All possible hiding places within each room and other adjoining rooms or premises should be explored.

Thorough and effective application of an appropriate insecticide by a qualified pest control technician should provide total eradication. Liquid sprays may need to be directed into wall and furniture cavities, and fumigation may also be required. Insecticides may be used to directly eliminate an infestation in a room if the label says it is safe to use on bedbugs in cracks, crevices, walls, furniture, mattresses. However, most over the counter home products do not perform as well as professional products. While many approved insecticide registered for use on beds will work if labeled for Bedbug treatment. The operative phrase is not the quantity of spray used, but rather the proper placement of the insecticide spray to where the Bedbugs are spending their off-hours. Apply insecticides early in the day giving ample time for fabrics to dry. Do not replace bedding until spray has dried completely.

Be cautious! The bedding of infants and infirm individuals should not be treated, but, rather, replaced. While a new bed is the best choice, it always is not a practical one. First is the person's health that sleeps on the bed. Make sure that treating the mattress does not become useable due to an allergic or adverse reaction. A form fitted bed protector cover must be used when application of pesticides are used. If the treatment of a bed due to infestation is the only recourse then use the following directions: Use due care and inspect the bed and adjoining areas, Use and follow directions for EPA Labeled Insecticides that include the target pests, Supply the customer with a copy of the M.S.D.S. sheet, Have the owner sign a release stating that they do not have any concerns with the treatment. Any agreement must include a statement of what you are going to do and what you are not going to do. Photo documentation may be quite effectively used in reports.

These control measures can eliminate populations but may be thwarted if other infected articles are imported. When transporting infested materials, put them in plastic bags to prevent introduction into other areas. Launder or dry clean sheets and blankets. General cleaning with germicidal cleaners or alcohol to remove blood borne pathogens will help. Likewise, the removal of bodily fluids especially blood is removed by peroxide solution and sterilized steam cleaning which eliminates Bedbugs and eggs as well. Good housekeeping practices and a reduction in possible hiding places such cracks and crevices will discourage repeat infestations.