Bedbugs

Bed Bugs are making an unwelcomed comeback.

According to National Pest Management Association, there has been a resurgence of bedbugs (Cimex Lectularius) in the United States over the last two years. The Environmental Protection Agency held a Bedbug Summit in April of 2009 in response to both public and industry concerns about the increase in bedbug infestations. And reports about bedbugs have been aired in every major news outlet and in newspapers across the country. Bedbugs are back.

Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed on blood from animals or people. Bedbugs get their name because they like to hide in bedding and mattresses. But bedbugs can live on luggage, clothing, carpets and just about any place where humans are regularly present. They are nocturnal and very hardy with the ability to live for months without a meal. They travel well; actively hitch hiking on clothes, luggage and furniture until they find a new source of food.

How can you spot bedbugs?

Bedbugs are small black or reddish insects, about a 1/4 inch long, with a broad oval shape and small head. Before feeding, they are flat. After a meal of human or animal blood, they become swollen and elongated.

Most people become aware of bedbugs after they are bitten and the bite marks appear on their skin. Some people notice small blood stains on their bedding from where the bedbug bit them. They will typically feed on people’s arms or shoulders, though any area of exposed skin can be a target. Bedbugs also can be detected by looking for their droppings – small, dark flecks left on sheets, floors, walls, furniture or clothes as the bedbugs are crawling to hiding spots.

They are not associated with unclean conditions and can be found anywhere they find a reliable population of hosts and some cover to hide in while they are digesting or waiting on a host human or animal.

What to do if you think you have bedbugs

If you spot bedbugs or start noticing insect bites on your skin (often several bites in a straight line), call a pest control professional immediately. These are difficult insects to eradicate and most do-it-yourself measures will fall short of eliminating or controlling a population once they become established. Pest control companies will work to create an eradication plan that is right for your dwelling and your family.

How can I prevent bedbugs?

No measure is foolproof, but take the following steps to reduce your chances of becoming a bedbug target.

1. Check your luggage for visible signs of these pests upon returning from any trip. Bedbugs will attach themselves to luggage in hotels and office buildings and can travel for days to get to a safe location where they can feed on hosts. Shake out and vacuum any bags or pocketbooks outside your home upon returning from any trips.
2. If you think your bedding or clothing has been infested, wash all of it immediately in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting possible.
3. Vacuum your furniture and bedding frequently (especially the seams of your mattress) and empty the vacuum cleaner bag thoroughly into a plastic trash bag outside your home. Tie the trash bag up extremely well and secure it in a covered trash can outdoors.
4. Call a pest control professional immediately. Only they can accurately detect the extent of the infestation and safely apply the pesticides needed to get rid of these hardy insects.

What should I not do?

1. Don’t attempt to use a “bug bomb” (long release aerosol pesticides) yourself to eradicate bedbugs. Consumers may put themselves in danger if they overuse these pesticides in the home. These creatures are quite elusive and will require professional attention.
2. Don’t hire anyone promising a miracle fix for bedbugs or anyone claiming they have access to special chemicals to treat bedbugs. Some unscrupulous individuals are preying on people’s strong distaste with the idea of bedbugs to make a quick buck with unproven treatment strategies or by using pesticides that are not approved or may be dangerous when used indoors.

What is the danger, if any?

Bedbugs and their feeding habitats don’t appear to cause any direct health problems for humans. But their droppings can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. Their bites are also quite itchy so treat that symptom, especially with children, so bite marks don’t become infected from excess scratching. Bedbug bites can be painful especially if you suffer multiple bites as is common with an infestation. There can also be a strong unpleasant smell associated with bedbugs. The noxious odor comes from either high quantities of their fecal matter or from active scent glands present on some bedbug species.