Bed Bug Epidemic - EWW...

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite! Who hasn't said that to their kiddos one time or another when tucking them in?

Bed bugs USED to be a problem in this country until about World War II and the frequent use of DDT...now they are back and with a vengence!

The ugly little buggers are small and nocturnal parasites. They come out at night to dine, then can hibernate for many months without feeding. You wake up with red welts on you and wonder what happened, usually on your arms, shoulders or back. They have also become a serious problem in the United States.

Many theories as to what brought them back, the influx of citizens from less prosperous countries, fact that people are a lot more mobile than they used to be, etc - who cares!?

There are many things you can do to prevent them --> mainly keeping away from where you can get them. The list of places is amazing, and scary! If you are a true tightwad/frugal person than you have few worries as you aren't really in these locations, LOL!

1) Movie theaters.
Think about it: it's dark, they have a lot of upholstered chairs, they have a constant supply of food available in a practical buffet. Frugal people rarely go to the movie, we wait to rent it on half off days or check it out at the library. Even

2) Clothes Store Fitting Rooms.
A "carrier" could have been in that changing room before you and their clothes were on the same floor, chair, etc that you would set yours on. They also try on the same clothes that you do...(ick)! In fact, there are high end stores in New York that have shut down in July because of them. -->Say it with me "mail order" if you simply have to have a new outfit.

3) Hotels/motels.
You would think that once they discover that they are infected that they would shut down until the problem is over...not so! Just this summer a high end hotel stayed open for a full month after they discovered the problem. We never know WHO was in the room before us so here are a few quick tips: When traveling, inspect the bed and furniture. Keep suitcases off the floor and bed, and inspect them before you leave. I don't see us traveling any time soon - that $150-300 a night for a hotel room is counter productive to my savings plan!

4) Health Clubs
More people, more clothes, more carpet, dark lockers, etc. I say skip the locker room and wear your work out clothes to the gym, taking a second to look over what machines you are using first. A true tightwad would not have a gym membership - they would just go out walking or biking.

I hope you aren't just sitting there scratching your now itchy head because you read this, it's something that is really going on out there right now and the best defense is armouring yourself with knowledge! do your own google search to learn more, and grab the phone number for your local pest control expert....just in case!