Sleeping with an Enemy - Bed Bugs

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) prefer warmclimate zones, but have acclimatized to the human beings living spaces in cooler regions too. More and more they are found in hotels of all categories in the Northern hemisphere. They are an increasing pest in many parts of North America and several European major cities. Predominantly hidden in luggage or clothing they get into sleeping rooms of private domiciles and hotels. Their nightly blood meals are painless and not noticed by the sleeping victims. Hours after the bite, about 80% of bed bug victims develop bite reactions. The itching, sometimes edematous erythemas, can show a central blood spot or a small hemorrhagic crust. They are found on exposed skin in small groups or lined up in characteristic (but not specific) rows, and have to be differentiated from flea, mosquito and other insect bites. In contrast to flea bites, bed bugs do not transmit any human disease.