#### Summary points Bed bugs are bloodfeeding insects that seem to be resurging in developed countries,1 possibly due to international travel and changes in pest control practices.2 Diagnosis of bed bug infestation relies on clinical manifestations of bites and direct observation of the arthropod, which is rarely recognised by those who are bitten.3 Evidence is lacking on the bed bug’s capacity to transmit disease, management of eradication, and the economic impact of infestations. This summary of the available evidence on the diagnosis and management of bed bug infestation aims to help general practitioners identify the clinical signs of bed bug bites and help patients identify and manage infestations. #### Sources and selection criteria We focused on articles published since October 2008 to update Goddard and colleagues’ systematic review.2 We searched PubMed and Embase databases until July 2012, using the search terms “bedbugs [Mesh] OR bed bugs OR bed bug OR Cimex”. We also manually searched textbooks, newspapers, and websites, mainly those listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/topics/bedbugs.htm). Our selection criteria were case reports on more than five patients, and results related to humans in the field of prevention and elimination of bed bugs or clinical manifestations of their bites. The two main species of bed bugs are Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus , which are found in tropical zones and temperate areas, respectively. They are brown, wingless, flat, 2-5 mm …