Bedbugs have re-emerged in North America, thanks to international travellers who carry the pests in clothing and luggage and to the reduced use of strong pesticides. (CBC)

Bedbugs are aptly named wingless pests that feed on humans as their preferred source of blood. The small, flat insects were all but wiped out after the Second World War, but are crawling back into Canadian homes, hotels, and shelters.

Bedbugs have re-emerged in North America, thanks to international travellers who carry the pests in clothing and luggage and to the reduced use of strong pesticides.

Bedbugs do not transmit any known blood-borne diseases. But they can lead to serious infection if people scratch the bitten areas, and their saliva can trigger allergic reactions. Health officials consider them to be a nuisance, and infestations can be distressing.

What do bedbugs look like?

What do they feed on?

Where do bedbugs hide?

• Cracks in the bed frame and headboard.
• Seams, creases, tufts and folds of mattresses and box springs.
• Under chairs, couches, beds and dust covers.
• Between the cushions of couches and chairs.
• Under area rugs and the edges of carpets.
• Between the folds of curtains.
• In drawers.
• Behind baseboards, and around window and door casings.
• Behind electrical plates and under loose wallpaper, paintings and posters.
• In cracks in plaster.
• In telephones, radios and clocks.

How can I avoid an infestation?

How can I control bedbugs?

• First, look for signs of bedbugs and their eggs, paying careful attention to bed frames, mattresses and furniture.
• Blood spots or skins left by dead bugs may be a sign of a previous infestation but do not show an active infestation, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
• Reduce clutter to limit hiding places.
• Thoroughly clean all infested rooms, scrubbing with a stiff brush to remove eggs.
• Vacuum cracks and crevices in mattresses, bed frames, baseboards and objects close to the bed daily. Empty the vacuum each time.
• Seal cracks and crevices, repair peeling wallpaper or other openings.
• Wash all linens and stuffed toys and then put them in a hot dryer for 20 minutes.
• Consider covering pillows and mattresses with plastic.
• Look for bedbugs daily by setting out blue boards or carpet tape to catch the bugs.
• Buy spray, liquid, and dust products specifically registered for bedbugs from retail stores.
• Talk to professional pest control agencies and check with other customers about their service.
• Keep checking for bedbugs after two weeks after treatment.