Pest to look out for

Mosquitoes:

Previously thought by most Americans to be merely a nuisance, these pests have been at the center of a recent rapidly spreading public health threat - West Nile Virus. Although the most famous, West Nile Virus is just one of many illnesses spread by mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are most likely to be found around and breed in stagnant or putrid water. Travelers that are planning to spend time in marshy areas, around standing ponds, or other areas close to unmoving water should come prepared to battle with these pests.

The best defense against mosquitoes is an active offense:

Travelers should avoid going outdoors when and where mosquitoes are typically most active: during dusk or dawn. However, some species are active during the day as well.

Insect repellent should be applied on exposed skin whenever and wherever mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

The most effective repellents currently available contain the active ingredient, N, N-diethylbenzamide (DEET), in concentrations up to about 35% (greater concentrations don't offer better protection).

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants, preferably treated with a repellent as well.

Bedbugs:

Best known as the catchy ending of a bedtime rhyme, bedbugs have recently made a comeback in American homes, apartment complexes, residence halls, hospitals, hotels and cruise ships. Although they are not disease-spreading pests, bedbugs feed on human blood and can leave itchy, red welts on human skin.

Bedbug infestations are not a sign of unsanitary or unclean living areas and are just as likely to be found in a five-star hotel as a two-star hotel. Travelers that come into contact with bedbugs away from their homes should be just as concerned about bringing them home as they are about their itchy bites. Renowned hitchhikers, bedbugs will catch rides in luggage, shoes, pant hems and any other mobile material and travel back to infest your home.

To avoid bedbugs while traveling:

At hotels, pull down the bed covers at night. If you see something moving, or if you see spots on the sheets, move to another room.

After traveling, inspect your suitcases before bringing them into the house.

bed bug Up date:

Bed Bugs Hide During Day, Wait For Your Slumber

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- It hides during the day and bites while you sleep. A bed bug is a bloodsucking insect, no bigger than an apple seed. It's capable of laying up to 500 eggs in its lifetime.

"Bed bugs are on the rise and we're seeing probably a 500 percent increase over three years ago," said Cindy Mannes of the National Pest Management Association. "We're seeing bed bugs in places from anything like five-star hotels to dormitories, to school lockers, to apartment buildings to residential homes."

So why has the number of these biting bugs ballooned across the country? Bed bug are great hitchhikers. They can catch a ride in your luggage, shoes and pant hems. "They're not only in the mattresses like people think -- they can be behind picture frames, chairs in the room, anything surrounding the bed itself," said Dean Vatteroni of All Season's Budget Pest Control. "Behind the framing are very hot spots for them. They can be tucked in there, the underside of the box spring. The tufts of the mattress here are very common spots to find them."

Many times, you'll see small red dots of blood from feeding bugs. They also leave droppings on the sheets. A serious infestation will cause a sickly, sweet smell.

Health experts believe they do not carry diseases. But most people do have an allergic reaction to the bite and end up with itchy, red welts.

The best way to battle the bugs is a multi-pronged attack. Contact a pest-control company if you have an infestation.

Reduce the chance of bringing the bugs in by vacuuming out your suitcases after returning from a trip. Throw the vacuum cleaner bag away in an outside container.

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