Bed Bugs adjust very well to their environment, even if conditions are unfavorable. Adults can go more than a year without food and can spend the winter in unheated premises. Nymphs are almost as resistant. Bed Bugs are active at night when their hosts'humans'are inactive. However, if the premises are only occupied during the day, Bed Bugs won't hesitate to attack humans during that time. They leave traces of blood and excrement (dried blood) on pillows and sheets. In severe infestations, it is possible to detect an unpleasant and rather sweet smell.

In the early stages of infestation, Bed Bugs will be found in beds. If they multiply, they will spread to other dark areas such as behind baseboard heaters, under fraying wallpaper, on walls behind paintings, around door frames, in various items of furniture in the bedroom, and in other rooms of the house.

They move from one house to another in several ways:

• On infested individuals
• From neighboring apartments
• When furniture is moved
• When clothing is stored
• When people travel (suitcases)

When traveling, it is a good idea to quickly check your room before settling in. Check the headboard and sides of the mattress near the pillows. Remember that bedbugs leave signs of their presence. Look for dried blood and bedbug feces near the mattress seams and in cracks in the headboard.

On your return home, inspect your baggage thoroughly. Wash and dry your clothes at high temperature and vacuum your suitcases. Throw out the vacuum bag or empty the container of central vacuum cleaner to make sure you get rid of any unwanted guests you might have brought home with you.