continue to be adversely affected. Not everyone is allergic to their bites and exhibit no symptoms; about 60% of the population. Install passive monitors, like the BB Alert Passive Monitor, as an early warning system. Learn what bed bugs look like, from their eggs through their 5 instar stages, to adults. And be careful of where you research as there is poor information on the web and some 'advice' will make an infestation worse, e.g. bug bombs will disperse the bugs making it harder to find and kill them. The Many over-the-counter sprays are contact kills only - leaving no residue behind; so if you do not apply it directly to the bug, zero effect. Off-the-shelf dusts take several weeks for the DE (diatomaceous earth) to be effective - NOT OVERNIGHT, and if applied incorrectly becomes airborne and is harmful for you, your family and your pets. If you suspect you have been exposed, a canine-assisted bed inspection is the fastest and most accurate method to know for sure. Ken Hando. Disclaimer: I own and operate a bed bug dog service, http://www.bedbugmutts.ca , serving the lower mainland of BC. Strategis Wed, 2012-07-04 06:03 Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your room, and around the legs of your bed. If kills both bedbugs and cockroaches, and isn't toxic to either humans or animals. It works permanently like a protective barrier. It can be purchased at some hardware stores. Martin Dunphy Wed, 2012-07-04 11:03 Strategis: Depending on what type of diatomaceous