Bedbugs hide during the day.
The common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is the one most adapted to living with humans. These insects usually bite people at night while they are sleeping and hide during the day in cracks and crevices around the bedroom. Does this Spark an idea?
Function
Dini Miller of Virginia Tech's department of entomology reports bedbugs do not respond to insect repellents. He cites studies of insect repellent materials applied to bed frames. None of the materials studied kept bedbugs away. The University of Kentucky concurs that conventional insect repellents, like those used to deter ticks and mosquitoes, do not work against bedbugs.
Risks
Bedbugs don't transmit disease to humans. However, their bites can cause itching and inflammation in some individuals. Since insect repellents are not effective in preventing these bites, the best option is to completely rid your house of bedbugs.
Extermination
The University of Kentucky suggests using professionals to get rid of bedbugs. These exterminators will utilize low-odor sprays, aerosols and dusts to treat areas where the bugs have been seen or tend to hide and crawl. The University of Kentucky also discourages the use of baits designed to control other bugs such as ants or cockroaches since they are not effective against bedbugs.
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