Bed Bugs have been around and have fed on man since the beginning of time.
Bed bugs were a problem in the US until the 1950's with the advent of DDT. At this point in time DDT would not be effective due to RESISTANCE. Right now bed bugs are growing resistant to many of the products we use to treat them. All avenue of control must be utilized to eliminate bed bugs.
With the new pesticides designed to be "earth-friendly" and with treatments that target specific insects instead of the old "spray everywhere" method of control, bed bugs are back and I believe they are here to stay.

Bed bugs are small. An adult bed bug is about 3/16 of an inch. Bed bug nymphs or young are much smaller and almost colorless. Once Bed Bugs feed they turn a mahogany color-thanks to your blood.

Bed bugs can live up to 1 year. In that time period bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs. Bed bug eggs are deposited on rough surfaces and appear almost like white seed. (see picture below)
On average the female bed bug lays from 1-5 eggs per day which take 21-120 days to develop into adults depending on temperature. The eggs hatch in about 10-14 days. The colder it is the longer it takes for bed bugs to reach maturity.

Bed Bugs Adults can live for several months without a blood meal. Nymphs survive a much shorter period of time.

Bed bugs have 5 nymphal stages before adulthood is reached each requiring a blood meal for its further development.

BED BUGS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE INFECTED WITH OVER 25 DISEASE ORGANISMS SUCH AS PLAGUE, RELAPSING FEVER, TULAREMIA and Q FEVER. Conclusive evidence is lacking as far as transmission of these diseases.
 

Latest Research from Dr. Stephen A. Kells from the University of Minnesota has found the following: Bed bugs will aggregate close to their host due to assembly pheromones. They will also disperse due to Alarm pheromones. Although he has found some will just wander off-especially pregnant females. This is due possibly because of the traumatic insemination experienced by female bed bugs. Bed bugs will feed usually just before dawn but hungry bed bugs will feed at any time. Disturbed bed bugs will move to quieter areas and can move at the rate of 3 feet per minute. Doctor Kells suggests that some strains are 100-12000 times resistant to our commonly used pesticides. All avenues of control must be utilized. This may include Steam, Heat, Cold, Mattress Covers, Laundering and Drying, Fast acting pesticides utilizing Dust, Liquid and aerosols. Vacuuming etc. If we have it in our toolbox we should employ it for best results. Treatments should focus on CONTAINMENT. We must spread out from the primarily infested areas to encapsulate and eliminate and prevent spread. Concentration should be on targeting the insects directly and no reliance should be placed on residual insecticides intercepting bed bugs.

Cold temperatures below 55 degrees stop bed bug development and egg production. Temperatures over 114 degrees will kill bed bugs. 131 Degrees for 10 minutes will kill all eggs. Extreme heat will control bed bugs but achieving these temperatures in domestic habitats are extremely difficult. Luckily we have the equipment and expertise to ensure complete eradication. We use the Temp-Air system. Visit them at www.thermalremediation.com

We find that bed bugs enter a structure primarily by being transported there in luggage, used furniture, and reconditioned mattresses and couches. We have found bed bugs arriving via laundry, from the apartment next door when a treatment is done incorrectly and in dry cleaning.

We have treated 5 star hotels, million dollar residences, hotels, hostels, apartment buildings, private homes, etc. We have even treated a DINER. Remember bed bugs are not associated with filth- bed bugs are associated with PEOPLE.