By: Cynthia | December 7 2010 | Category: Science News, Tidbits for Teachers

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Learn how to deal with bedbugs by using online resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Just the thought of sharing a bed with creepy-crawly critters is enough to give most of us the willies. But with the current epidemic of bedbug outbreaks, it’s becoming a living nightmare for people all across the country. Many of us will be traveling to visit family and friends over the holidays, making this an ideal time to learn how to protect ourselves from these pesky bugs. The CDC and EPA have come up with some great online resources for helping us prevent and deal with infestations, and life science teachers can use the sites to add a timely topic to their core curriculum. Experts believe we’re experiencing a resurgence of bedbug outbreaks because people are traveling more, most of us don’t know how to prevent or handle infestations, and the insects are becoming resistant to many pesticides. Bedbugs are a problem, but if we do the right things, we can prevail!   Check out the CDC and EPA resources to learn how to prevent bed bug infestations use CDC’s pictorial key (link to pdf) to detect signs of bedbugs treat an infestation and know when to call in the pros look up pesticides using the EPA-registered bedbug products search tool understand bedbug biology, including its life cycle dispel common bedbug myths get the EPA’s top 10 bedbug tips Let’s enjoy our holiday travels but leave the bedbugs behind!