The two bed bugs most important to man are the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius , and the tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus . These two species of bed bugs can easily be distinguished by looking at the prothorax, the first segment of the thorax. Because of their confined living spaces, copulation among male and female bed bugs is difficult. The female possesses a secondary copulatory aperture, Ribaga's organ or paragenital sinus, on the fourth abdominal sternum where spermatozoa from the male are injected. Within six to 17 days bed bug nymphs, almost devoid of color, emerge from the eggs.
Good sanitation is the first step to controlling the spread of bed bugs.
The effectiveness of using steam cleaners or hot water to clean mattresses is questionable. Heat is readily absorbed by the mattress and does no harm to the bed bug in fact the moisture may produce favorable conditions for house dust mites. For severe infestations, however, pesticides may be used. Care should be taken not to soak mattresses and upholstery with pesticides. Allow bedding and furniture to dry throughly before using.