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INFORMATION FOR NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS
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What are bed bugs?
- flat and oval in shape
- an adult is about the size of an apple seed
- they crawl, but do not fly or jump
- most active at night when people
are sleeping
- travel 5 to 20 feet to feed
- most people don't feel the bites
- they mature to full adult size in
1 to 2 months
- females may lay 200-500 eggs in a lifetime
- adults can survive as long as 1 year without feeding
How can I tell if have bed bugs?
- appearance of living or dead insects, or bed bug skin
- rust-colored smears on mattress seams, sheets, pillowcases, upholstered furniture
- small brown or black marks on bedding, furniture, crevices and baseboards
Are bed bugs harmful to my health?
- bed bugs have not been found to spread disease
- people react to bites in many ways, from no reaction, to severe swelling
- scratching welts may cause an infection.
- anxiety about being bitten can lead to sleeplessness
How can I get rid of bed bugs?
- don't panic, but act quickly
- choose a good, licensed pest management professional
- find, trap and kill bed bugs
- clean and disinfect surfaces and furnishings
- consider encasements for mattresses and box springs
- use heat: dry clothes on the hottest setting
- use cold: some professionals use cold to kill bed bugs
- only professionals should apply pesticides
How can bed bugs be prevented?
- regularly inspect for bed bugs
- never bring home beds or upholstered furniture from the street
- be careful when traveling
- seal crevices and cracks in walls and floors
- do not take home discarded furniture or other infested materials
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Bed bug infestations are increasingly common, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home. When bed bugs are present, they can be safely controlled. This web site will help you learn more about how they thrive, how to recognize and inspect for their presence, steps to take to prevent them from infesting your home, how to safely rid your home of bed bugs if they do occur, and also how to select and work with a pest management professional.
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 | | | The New York City area has more than 1,000 pest control companies and thousands of licensed pest management professionals. To get rid of bed bugs, you need to choose the right company, be clear about what you want done, and monitor the service you get.
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What are bed bugs?
How can I tell if I have bed bugs?
Are bed bugs harmful to my health?
How can I get rid of bed bugs?
How can bed bugs be prevented?
Myths and
