Bed Bug Talk And Advice [AUDIO]

In the news today people are talking about wars, tornadoes, the economy--all the big items, but they are also talking more and more about bed bugs. K2 Radio's, Karen Snyder shares this report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Listen Here:

(singing) "They'll get you at the office. They'll get you at the mall.  The trouble is they are very, very, very, small".

That's one of the many reasons why its hard to detect, let alone control, these critters. That from Agriculture Entomologist, Mark Feldlaufer, who says not only are the bugs very small and hard to see, but they hide most of the time, and by the time you notice that you've got them, the infestation can be quite large.

So what's the first thing to do when you find out you've got the dreaded insects in your home. Experts says its easier to say what not to do; First do not believe all the exaggerated mis-leading ads and sales pitches on the Internet, or from other sources, about products that claim success with controlling bedbugs. For example, "anything that says it kills 100 percent of the bedbugs on contact--well that may be true, but the trouble is you rarely see bedbugs, so "on contact' is, may be, problematic"

Dr Feldlaufer says that people are becoming so frustrated they seem to want to try anything legal or otherwise. "You do see in the newspaper reports of professionals using unregistered products and that's always frowned upon."

That's because it may be dangerous for you and your family, but not to the bedbugs.  Feldlaufer says, to be really effective, the killing agent, whatever it is, would have to be something that gets into every little nook and cranny where the bedbugs hide.  He says some people are trying foggers and foggers have been successful against fleas, "I'm not sure that's the case with bed bugs which can be in very tiny cracks and crevices around your bed and in the electrical outlet behind pictures and deep within the mattress itself."

Doctor Feldlaufer however says there is one thing that will definitely killed bedbugs-Heat.

" If you get up around 130 degrees maybe even 120 it will kill the bugs. The problem is getting the heat to where the bugs are"

He says that's very difficult considering where the bugs are hiding. Some folks are trying hair dryers, but Feldlaufer says that's probably not a very good either, "because the eggs in smaller stages might be dispersed in the air" and blown all over the house.

He says a professional, reliable, pest company is your best bet, and even then, it may take several visits to eradicate the bugs.

In the meantime, scientists like Dr. Feldlaufer are working hard trying to find better ways to get rid of these pests.