The Bed Bug Book: The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination Paperback – February 23, 2011

Recently I discovered that I had bed bugs in my home. No way to know how long they have been here, because I didn't have any physical reaction to their bites. Since that happened I have become determined to get on top of this problem and keep it from reoccurring in the future. A professional pest control company has started treatment, and that is good, but I know that it won't be enough. There are so many ways that these little critters can get into your home undetected, that you have to be vigilant about prevention.Yesterday I received a copy of "The Bed Bug Book" in the mail. It is EXCELLENT! The author is a board certified entomologist, and he has done a tremendous public service by putting all this information in one book. He starts out with a fascinating history of human encounters with bed bugs, from ancient times to the present. Then he explains the biology of these creatures, a guide to prevention and treatment, case studies, and what is likely to happen in the future.Be sure to check out the last chapter, "104 Things to Know About Bed Bugs", by Paul J. Bello (pest management consultant). That chapter is PURE GOLD!!! It's worth the purchase price all by itself. And the list of references has several useful websites.If you or somebody you know has discovered bed bugs, or if you want to know how to prevent these parasites from coming into your home, you will do well to buy this excellent (and inexpensive) book.

It’s not a subject most people care to talk about, and I suspect author Ralph Maestre’s main readers are those who have suffered through bed bug infestations and want to know more about what he terms “these minute vampires.” There is information about the history of bed bugs and the attempts over centuries to eradicate them. There are photos, and a chapter titled “Over 220 things to Know About Bed Bugs.” Just as a house or apartment can be riddled with bed bugs, the bed bug book is riddled with typos. An example from page 69: “...DNA bed bug swab testing detects the presents of bed bug DNA.” “Presents” should be “presence.” (The only “presents” left behind by bed bugs are itchy bite marks.) Either the author or publisher (Skyhorse) needs to rely less on Spell Check software and hire a copy editor who has at least graduated high school.Another book on the subject, Infested, by Brooke Borel (Chicago University Press), has more detailed research into the science of killing these critters, and even a list of bed bug songs. Maestre is a professional exterminator; Borel comes to the subject as a three-time victim of bed bug infestation, which prompted her far-ranging research. Maestre has some pretty horrifying actual case studies, while Borel reviews an Off-Off-Broadway rock opera titled BEDBUGS!!! Both books are useful, but Borel’s is also entertaining and has an index.

Thanks for putting that book together ! We had some bedbug problems and I was reading up on it everywhere. There is a lot of information everywhere and a lot of them contradict one another. This book is an easy read, but also is very throughout and in detail on history of bedbugs, life cycles, treatment option and prevention. You've got to know your enemy to beat it, right?!It has saved me a lot on money and is a sound investment if you are afraid of- or suspect of having any- or harbor any bedbugs.Thanks Ralph Maestre !!!!

It gives a conceptual understanding of controlling this particularly nasty scourge called bug bugs. As pest control operator I agree with the author's assessment, and in the bigger picture there is no magic bullet. It's all about using the right tools at the right time and lots of attention to detail. It's a lot of work and without the proper tools not something just anyone can do. I do wish some of customer's would read this book. The success of my treatments often depend on the cooperation of customer. As much as I outline a "to do" and "don't do" list to my customer, they just don't take the time to follow through. This makes the job of a pest control professional challenging at times. But by all means buy the book, it does excellent job of shedding light on the bed bug challenge.

This is a GREAT book, it goes into great details what works and what does not work. It tells you more then what most exterminators know and are willing to talk about. It took a while to find the truth, getting past all false claims by people who really don't know what they are talking about. Most of them want to make a fast buck at your expense :(This book cuts the crap and tells you what really works with nothing but the truth. Sometimes it dull, but very enlightening :)

This book made one think you could never get rid of bedbugs. I found it very depressing. Basically it was go get an exterminator because you will never be able to get rid of them.

Not as informative as I had hoped. Info can all be found on the Internet

I learned so much from this book. It's well written,extremely informative, and not scarey. Unfortunately, I read it after bed bugs invaded my apartment, but at least now, I feel more confident about how to protect myself. Don't wait until you have them. Read this now.

Muy buena información y varios casos bien explicados.Un libro para el profesional de Plagas con buena información técnica

Informative