New Jersey pest control experts say that the media is all a whirl with reports of Cimex lectularius L…the common bed bug.  Most people don’t know that there is another bed bug lurking in the wings, just now making its way into the headlines.  New Jersey pest control experts are hopeful that there won’t be two bed bugs battling it out on America soil.  Perhaps they already are!

The Cimex hemipterus Fabr is a tropical bed bug.  Both of these bed bugs are part of the approximately 100 species of bed bugs in the world that prey on humans, small animals, birds and bats.  The common bed bug has enjoyed a recent worldwide resurgence, thanks in part to the ease of international travel.  The common bed bug can withstand cooler temperatures and varying climates.  The tropical bed bug is adapted to high temperatures.  Until recently, it was believed that tropical bed bugs did not live outside of tropical areas.  Summertime travel has brought tropical bed bugs into the limelight as some tourists have deposited them at popular vacation hot-spots around the world.

Government officials in Guam are reporting an increase in tropical bed bug sightings.  They believe that the tropical bed bugs are coming from Asia, the United States, and other islands.  Like common bed bugs, tropical bed bugs are considered to be a nuisance pest, despite their bloodthirsty ways.  The common bed bug and tropical bed bug are not known to transmit disease, but will quickly infest a bed or hotel room if left to their own devices.

Hopefully the United States does not have tropical bed bugs in addition to common bed bugs.  Arguably, once the hot summer months have passed, any tropical bed bugs that have spread throughout the US, thanks to summertime travel, may not be able to withstand the cold temperatures.  Having a trusted and qualified licensed NJ pest control expert who knows how to eradicate these creepy bugs will protect your family!