Transcriber Note Text emphasis denoted as _Italics_ and =Bold=. +-------------------------------------------------------+ | UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE | | | |[Illustration] =FARMERS' [Illustration] | | BULLETIN= | | | +-------------------------------------------------------+ Washington, D. C. 754 October 14, 1916 --------------------------------------------------------- =Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief.= =THE BEDBUG.=[1] By C. L. Marlatt, _Entomologist and Assistant Chief of Bureau_. [1] _Cimex lectularius_ L.; order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera, family Cimicidae. =CONTENTS.= Page. Introduction 1 Origin; common names; distribution 2 Varieties and related insects 3 General characteristics 3 The "buggy" odor 4 Habits and life history 4 Food and longevity 7 Influence of temperature 8 The bite of the bedbug 9 The bedbug and human diseases 9 Natural enemies of the bedbug 10 Remedies 11 =INTRODUCTION.= The presence of the bedbug (fig. 1) in a house is not necessarily an indication of neglect or carelessness; for, little as the idea may be relished, this insect may gain access in spite of the adoption of all reasonable precautions. It is very apt to get into the trunks and satchels of travelers, or into baskets of laundry, and may thus be introduced into homes. Unfortunately, also, it is quite capable of migrating from one house to another and will often continue to come from an adjoining house, sometimes for a period of several months, gaining entrance daily. Such migration is especially likely to take place if the human inhabitants of an infested house leave it. With the failure of their usual source of food, the migratory instinct of the bedbugs is developed, and, escaping through windows, they pass along walls, water pipes, or gutters, and thus gain entrance into adjoining houses. In these or other ways anyone's premises may be temporarily invaded. =ORIGIN; COMMON NAMES: DISTRIBUTION.=