Things that bite must be identified before applying control procedures. If someone says “I have been bitten by a @#%#^%@ , and I need to get rid of it”, see if you can find the culprit before running off to the hardware store to buy the remedy. Each pest has its own way of feeding and lives in its own territory.
BEDBUGS are the big story these days, with huge infestations occurring in many residential buildings. The insect is introduced to a dwelling, usually on infested bedding, furniture, or packed away home furnishings. The bedbug hides in cracks and crevices during the day and crawls out at night and bites a sleeping person, taking some blood. Blood spots are often found on the bed linens the next morning. Irritation at the bite site is evident and as the bedbug lays eggs, more insects produce more and more bites.
Control can only be attained by locating all of the hidden bedbugs and applying the correct control procedures. This is a difficult task and will end in failure if you try a do-it-yourself approach.
CHIGGERS are a bothersome group of 6 legged immature mites that normally live in lawns. It become a human pest when they accidently climb onto your skin and bite. They do not derive any nutrients from the human, its all a mistake; however, the bite is painful and requires some topical medication to relieve the itch. Stay out of grass and meadows that are infested.
LICE, of the human variety, are often associated with poor personal hygiene. Lice lay their eggs on human hair shafts, where they hatch. The lice feed on human blood and rarely leave the body. They are designed to stay close and are sometime difficult to identify, but the skin irritation will be the clue to an infestation. Lice are controlled by a visit to a dermatologist and making sure that contact with individuals that have a history of being infected with lice is minimized. Transfer of lice from person to person can be attributed to sharing clothing and bedding with an infected person as well as close personal contact.