Eggs, eggshells and cast skins may also be found in resting places. Early in an infestation bed bugs are likely to be found only about the seams, tufts or folds of mattresses or daybed covers, but later they spread to crevices in the bedsteads. In severe infestation they may be found behind baseboards, window and door casings, pictures and picture frames, in furniture, loosened wallpaper, cracks in plaster and the like. Management consists primarily of finding places where the bed bugs hide in the daytime and applying an insecticide directly in those places. If the infestation is severe, the services of a pest control operator may be needed.
Insecticides registered for bed bug control include mala- thion, methoxychlor and pyrethrins.
These insecticides can be purchased at most drug, hardware and department stores or a large food market. Quite often household sprays contain one or more of these insecticides combined with other insecticides. Most household sprays are not suitable for application to mattresses. Since it is almost impossible to penetrate all hiding places, a few living bed bugs may be seen for a week to 10 days after treatment. However, if bed bugs are seen after 2 weeks, spray again.