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Bed Bugs - Protection and Prevention
Bed Bugs Invasion "Sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite!" The rhyme we heard as children, is unfortunately becoming a major issue. As the news stories about these nasty little creatures proliferate, we're all unfortunately becoming more aware of the bedbug invasion. Bedbugs are tiny, appleseed–sized parasites which hide in the crevices of your bedding, furniture, in clothing and other household items, and tend to come out at night to bite. They cause itchy, mosquito bite–like welts, and are not easy to eradicate. They're showing up across the nation, in hotels, retail stores, movie theaters, schools, and our homes. Contrary to popular belief, they don't favor the less wealthy. They've appeared in nicer neighborhoods, some high–end hotels, boutique shops and even restaurants, and they don't discriminate between a pristine or a filthy environment. Pest control companies are overwhelmed in some areas, and as the "capital of bedbugs," NYC even announced a battle plan to combat them and educate the public.
Preventing a Bed Bug Infestation Pest control experts have stated that right now it's almost impossible to eradicate bed bugs, and the best offense is a defense. Learn how to protect against a bed bug infestation in your home. Prevention of bed bugs by protecting your bedding is an easier and less expensive solution than getting rid of bed bugs after an infestation.
In our video guide, "How to Prevent Bed Bugs" (shown to the left here), Cuddledown Product Associate, Renee, gives you tips for how to protect your bedding, your family, and your home from these dastardly insects.
What Does a Bed Bug Look Like?
Adult bedbugs are reddish–brown, flattened, oval, and wingless. Adults grow to 4–5 mm in length and 1.5–3 mm wide. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in color and become browner as they reach maturity. Bedbugs can survive a wide range of temperatures and atmospheric conditions and bedbug cases have been on the rise across the world since the mid–1990s. The cause of this resurgence is still uncertain, but it is thought to be related to increased international travel, increasing pesticide resistance (and no longer using the highly toxic chemical DDT), and even a newer theory relating the infestations to poultry facilities.
Remember: You can protect yourself by doing several of the following things. Be vigilant when traveling – check under the mattress, by the headboard and so on, for any signs of the bugs. Thoroughly examine crevices in walls, mattresses and furniture for dark specks (the bugs' excrement), empty exoskeletons, red smears (blood from engorged insects) and if you find these, report it to the management and switch rooms if at all possible. Also place your luggage on tables or dressers instead of the floor. Do a similar inspection of any secondhand items before bringing them into your home.
Many people may want to discard all luggage and clothing after discovering an infestation, but this is unnecessary. The key is to contain all items suspected of carrying bed bugs in plastic bags until the items can be laundered (set the washer and dryer for the hottest setting that the fabric can withstand), washed by hand, heated, or frozen.
Who would have guessed the silly rhyme our mothers taught us was actually true – but with proper prevention, you can protect yourself from letting the bed bugs bite!
Adult bedbugs are reddish–brown, flattened, oval, and wingless. Adults grow to 4–5 mm in length and 1.5–3 mm wide. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in color and become browner as they reach maturity. Bedbugs can survive a wide range of temperatures and atmospheric conditions and bedbug cases have been on the rise across the world since the mid–1990s. The cause of this resurgence is still uncertain, but it is thought to be related to increased international travel, increasing pesticide resistance (and no longer using the highly toxic chemical DDT), and even a newer theory relating the infestations to poultry facilities.
As for your bedding – 
