Bed bugs are back. Since 2000, bed bug infestations have risen 81 percent, according to The National Pest Management Association, and reports are getting commonplace about hotel bed bugs.
That group is trying to separate fact from fiction.
Facts: bed bugs can be found on bedside alarm clocks. Yes, they have been found there and they do like to hitch rides in suitcases. They can also live for many months without feeding, and they reproduce at alarming rates.
But myths include the allegation they spread deadly diseases.
They can cause allergic reactions, however similar to mosquito bites.
They don’t feed off dirt, either, but they’re not mostly found in beds.
Nor do they only come out at night.
They do spend 90 percent of their time hiding and they’re usually active at night.
The best way to spot whether you have them in a hotel room is to search for them with a bright flash light. They like to hide in crevices and cracks.
By David Wilkening
