Bed Bugs, sometimes called “red coats” or “chinches”, are blood-feeding parasites of humans, bats, chickens and sometimes domesticated animals.  They are suspected of carrying diseases but it has never been proven.  They were nearly wiped out by the invention of DDT.  However, since 1995 there has been an increase in bed-bug-related complaints noticed by the pest control industry.

In homes, they usually hid during the day inside cracks and cervices in walls and furniture.  They can be transported on clothing, bedding, furniture and in luggage.  It is rare to ever find them on the host because they cannot cling to hair, fur or feathers.