BED BUG BASICS For Home Visitors - Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health

Photo by J. Gangloff-Kaufmann

BED BUG BASICS
For Home Visitors
                            Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health

The bed bug
                     g cycle
                        y
                     Photo by S. Kells

Photo by G. Alpert

The 3 things
          g you
             y need to know…

What they are
Where they hide

How they
      h spread d
                                    Photos by David P. James

           Photo – flickr IHATEBB

What theyy are…

 Blood-feeding
  Blood  feeding insects
 Brown/reddish brown

 6 legs

 No wings

 The size of an apple seed (3/8”)   Photos by G. Alpert

 As thin as a credit card

Eggs
 gg

 Look like tiny grains of rice
 Glued in place
            p
 Hatch in 6-10 days

       Photos by G. Alpert

Nymphs
 y p

 Young bed bugs
 Shed skin and feed to grow

 Nymphs CAN and DO bite
                                        Photo by G. Alpert

                                     Nymph biting
               Photos by L. Sorkin
                                     finger

Adults

 May live up to a year without feeding
 Feed every 3-7 days

 Feed
  F d at night
             h for
                f 5 to 20 minutes
 After feeding, they hide again

    Photo by W. Cranshaw   Photo by G. Alpert

Reproduction
  p

 Traumatic insemination
 Males are sexually aggressive

 Being mated too many times can be

  f t l tto females
  fatal     f     l
 Causes females to leave

  the harborage and
  spread d th
           the iinfestation
                  f t ti

Bed Bug
      g Population
          p        Growth

 Females lay hundreds of eggs in a
  lifetime
 Females can lay eggs for a month or

  more after mating once
 Beg bug populations can increase

  VERY quickly

From egg
      gg to adult…

    Photo by A.
             A Taisey

Mistaken Identity…
                y

 Know what ISN’T a bed bug!
 Other insects

  beetles, spiders, fleas, mites, springtails,
   grasshoppers ticks
   grasshoppers,   ticks, bat / swallow bugs
 Other objects

  scabs,
      b skin
           ki flakes,
               fl k d  dried
                          i d nasall mucus,
   flaked paint, dust bunnies

Behavior

 Nest parasites
 Hide near food – YOU!

 Feed at night (usually)

 Return
  R t    to
         t hidi
            hiding
  Grow
  Reproduce

                            Photo by L. Sorkin

Behavior

 Spend over 90% of their time hiding
 Like dark, still places

 Can move 3-4 feet / minute)

         Photos by L. Sorkin   Photo by David P. James

Where they
         y hide…

 Mattress and box spring
 Bed frame and/or headboard

 Bedding

                                                              Ph t b
                                                              Photo by D
                                                                       David
                                                                          id P.
                                                                             P JJames

     Photo by A. Jacobson   Photo by L. Sorkin   Photo by S. Kells

More hiding
          g places…
            p
 Behind baseboards and outlet covers
 Night stands

 Picture
  P       fframes
 Any small crack or crevice

                                   Photos by A. Jacobson

Signs
  g of bed bugs
             g

   Bites
            Photo - www.holidayinnbedbugs.com

   Fecal spots

   Casts (shed skins)

   Bugs (alive/dead) or eggs
                                                Photo by L. Sorkin

Bites

          DO NOT spread disease
          Cause itchy red welts

          Cannot ID bed bugs by bites alone

Photo -
www.bedbugger.com   Photo - www.holidayinnbedbugs.com   Photos by A. Jacobson

Reaction to bites

 25% of people under 65 and 50% of
  people over 65 DO NOT react to bites
 Initial bite is painless

 Reactions vary  y
  Size of infestation
  Immune
    I         response
  Use of cold medicines

Mistaken for bed bug
                   g bites…

 Other insect bites   Chi
                       Chigger Bit
                               Bites

 Hives

                             Flea Bites

    Hives

                               Photos - WebMD

Also mistaken for bed bug
                        g bites…

 Rashes
 Fifth Disease

 Allergies
  All i
 Aggressive
    gg        self
  grooming         Child with
                   Fifth Disease   Photo - Wikipedia

Other Health Effects…

   Secondary infections
     Immunocompromised
     Diabetic

 Sleep
      p deprivation
          p
 Depression

 Anxiety
  A i
 Anemia

Fecal Spots
       p

 Photo by L. Sorkin                Photo by S. Kells

                      Photo by S. Kells           Photo courtesy NYSIPM

Casts ((shed skins))

                                Photo by L. Sorkin

                                Photo by G. Alpert
     Photos by David P. James

Bugs
  g or eggs
        gg

 Photos by David P. James   Photos by L. Sorkin

Photo by David P. James

How they
                   y spread…
                      p

                    They hitch a ride on shoes
                                          shoes, clothes
                                                 clothes, bags
                     or furniture

                                          Ph
                                          Photo – flickr
                                                  fli k IHATEBB

Photo by E. Foster

How they
                  y spread…
                     p

            They walk—they DO NOT jumpjump, fly or
             attach to skin
            They get in walls and move between
             rooms
Photo by G. Alpert

                                                  Photo by A. Jacobson

No boundaries…

 Apartment buildings
 Condos

 Hotels/Motels

Multi-Unit buildings
                  g

 Always inspect surrounding units
 Do not rely only on complaints

 Careful inspection is key

Where else do yyou find bed bugs?
                              g

 Homes of friends & family
 Transportation

 Cruise ships

 Health care facilities

 Shelters

 Retail stores

 Movie theaters

 Schools

Home Visit Guidelines

 Know the signs of bed bugs
 Take in as little as possible

 Simplify the habitat

 Client may be embarrassed/in denial

 Precautions vary with degree of
  i f
  infestation
          i
 Awareness vs. Paranoia

Plan ahead…

   When to meet
    Last    visit of the day if possible
   Where to meet
    Don’t   meet at a secondaryy location
   What to bring
    Simplify!
    Easy    to inspect and wipe down

Bed Bug
      g Kit
 Plastic storage bin    Tweezers
 Clipboard              Gloves

 Shoe
  Sh covers              Spatula
                          S     l / putty
 Stool                   knife
 Wet wipes              Hair dryer

 Clear plastic bags     Card

 Plastic jar            Tape

 Flashlight
  Fl hli ht
                                        Photos by A. Jacobson

Bed Bug
      g Kit

What to wear…

What to wear…

 Nothing that drags on
  the ground
 Light colors

 Shoe covers

     Or   2nd pair of socks

During
     g the visit…

   Avoid “hot spots”
    Beds
    Couches

 Watch where yyou set things g down
 Don’t sit still for extended periods

Leaving…
      g
 Remove shoe covers
                  covers, bag and throw away
    Peel off inside out to keep bugs inside

 Extra
  E      socks
            k
    Bag for washing

 Inspect for hitch hikers

 Wipep down surfaces
 Bag questionable items

Your car…

 Avoid clutter
 Vacuum

 Steri-fab (or other approved product)

  Contains alcohol – ventilate until dry
  Turn off electrics and heaters
  Follow label instructions
  The label is the law!

Transporting
     p     g clients…

 Focus on the client and their belongings
  Change or launder clothes
  Wash belongings
 If that is not possible

  Simplify
  Contain
  Careful inspection
                 p       at destination

Preparing
   p    g your
          y    car…

   Washable seat cover
    white or light color sheet

Preparing
   p    g your
          y    car…

   Disposable seat cover
    Clear plastic bags
    Plastic drop cloth

Transporting
     p     g clients…

   BBag client
           li b belongings
                  l i
     DO NOT use black trash bags
                               g
     Clear plastic
     Easier to see bugs
                    b gs
     Avoids offending
      client

In y
   your office…

 Meeting with clients from infested homes
 Have a designated room to meet with clients

     Uncluttered

     Simple  furniture
     Plastic container to place belongings

 Have a p
         plastic container for
  bags/backpacks
 Avoid upholstered furniture

How to p
       prepare
          p    a sample
                    p

   Tape them to a piece of paper
    with clear tape
OR
 Put them in a leak proof plastic jar with
  some rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
 NO LIVE BUGS.

 A few bugs are better than one

 Try
  T nott tto squashh th
                     them ttoo muchh

Identification

ALWAYS get a positive ID!
Pest control company
Ramsey County – Master Gardeners
    www.co.ramsey.mn.us/mastergardener/Services.htm
Local    extension office

If onlyy it was this easy…
                        y

Control Measures

 Prevention
 Professional Pest Control

 Physical removal

 Heat

 Cold

 Pesticides

Prevention
 Awareness
 Avoid clutter

 Encasements
  E
     Mattress
     Box   spring
 Vacuum often
 Educate others

 Stop the stigma

Professional Pest Control

 Inspection
 Knowledge and Experience

 Integrated Pest Management

 Access to Commercial Equipment

 Access to Commercial Pesticides

 Pesticide Applicators
     Licensed   by Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Hiring
     g a pest
         p control company…
                      p y

 Askk Questions
  A    Q    i
 Check their license

    Online   www.mda.state.mn.us
    By phone 651-201-6000
              651 201 6000

Vacuum

 Physical removal of bugs
 Use crevice tool

 Seal and throw out bag

 Bagless – bag and throw out contents of bin

 Wash bin in hot soapy water

No Vacuum?
   Chase bugs out of hiding
     Card

     Spatula or putty knife
     Hair dryer

   Pick bugs up with tape

Heat

 Thermal remediation
 Temp-Air
  Temp Air
 Less preparation
       p p
 Less pesticide use

 Expense

    David Joles, Star Tribune

                                David Joles, Star Tribune

Heat – Portable Treatment

   Pack Tite
         Tite™
     Portable   heat treatment unit
    Luggage
    Small   items

Heat
   Commercial grade steam generators
     At least 1 gallon (4 liter) capacity
     Floor or upholstery attachment

Heat - Laundry
             y

 Wash and Dry
 One full cycle on HOT

  Or the highest temp
   the fabric can take

Cold that WILL kill bed bugs
                          g

   Chest Freezer
     0oF   for 7-10 days
   Cryonite®
     Dry
        y    ( 2)
         ice (CO
     flakes
    -110o
    Non-toxic
                               Photo – Stern Environmental

Cold that WON’T kill bed bugs
                           g

 Kitchen freezer
 Leaving items
  outside in winter
 Leaving windows
  open in winter
    Won’t  kill bed bugs
    Will freeze pipes
                   pp

Encasements

 Mattress
 Box
   o Sp
      Spring
           g
 Bed bug rated is best

 Watch for rips/tears

Pesticides

 Sprays
  Kill on contact
  Residual
 Dusts

  Silica
  Diatomaceous Earth
 Restricted Use

Traps
   p

   Helpful for monitoring
     Howbad is the infestation
     Where the bugs are
                                                    ClimbUp® Interceptor
   Not a solution
     Won’t
          catch                                    NightWatch™

     A the
     ALL h bugs
           b

                         Photo by David P. James

Bed Bug
      g Sniffing
               g Dogs
                   g
   Inspection
     Locate  infestations
     Efficient

     Must be properly trained

     Dog
      Dog’ss indication of infestation
      should be confirmed by visual
      inspection
   Treatment follow-up
     Confirm   effective treatment

If yyou do have bed bugs…
                      g

   HIRE A PEST
            S
    CONTROL
   COM AN
   COMPANY!

If that is not an option…
                              p
                      Photo by S. Kells

       Focus on                            Spread
       Breaking
              g the                        Habitat

       Cycle                               Bugs

Photo by G. Alpert

What NOT to do…
 Throw out mattresses and furniture
 Move

 Ignore
  I      the
          h problem
               bl

    NO!

                        Photo – flickr IHATEBB
                                                 NO!

Stop
   p the Spread
          p     – No FREE rides!

 Awareness is the key to Prevention!
 Know what bed bugs look like in ALL life
  stages
 Know where y  you might
                       g find bed bugsg
 Be alert for signs of bed bugs

     At
      A    home,
           h     workk and
                         d in
                           i the
                              h community
                                      i
   Do NOT take anything from the curb

Habitat – No Place to Hide

 Clean up clutter
 Vacuum often

 Seal cracks and crevices

 Encase

     mattress
     box
      b     spring

Habitat – Kick them out of bed!
   Isolate the bed
     Inspect   & clean
     Encase
     Bed   bug interceptors
      Tape  around furniture legs
       sticky side out
     Bed  away from wall
     No bedding touching the
      floor or wall
     Wash bedding often

The Bugs
      g
   Remove/kill as many bugs as possible
    Vacuum
    Chase
      Ch   & TTape
    Steam
     Notany steamer will work
     Mold
    Pesticides
     Weigh   risks vs. benefits
                                   Photo by G. Alpert

Do-it-Yourself Pesticide Issues

 Wrong product
 Wrong amount

 Wrong place

 Resistance
  R i
 Restricted use products

    Must   be licensed

Before yyou use anyy pesticide…
                     p

   READ the MSDS
  (Material Safety
     D
     Data Sheet)
          Sh )

Pesticide products…
          p

   Buyer Beware!
    Bean educated consumer
    Don’t believe the hype/sales pitch
   EPA product search tool
    cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/bedbug/
 Natural does not mean Safe
 Regulations vary state to state

Home use of pesticides…
            p

 Do not rely ONLY on pesticides
 Not ANY bug spray will work

  Bed bug specific
 The label is the law!

  ALWAYS follow label directions for use
 Most sprays are Kill-on-Contact

  Direct treatment to harborages
                               g

What NOT to use…

    BBug bombs
          b b                                  NO!
    Moth balls

    Fire extinguishers                                              NO!
    Boric
      B i acidid
    DEET

    Kerosene
                                                               NO!
LLeg off a crib
             ib with
                 ith a piece
                        i    off cloth
                                  l th soaked
                                          k d iin
 kerosene tied around the leg to keep bed
 bugs from crawling up.
                                        Photo by A. Jacobson
                                                                      NO!

Travel

   Hotel Hot Spots

Bed bugs
      g are horrible souvenirs!

   Inspect your room FIRST
     Mattress/Box
                 Spring/Bedding
     Headboard & night stand
     Chairs
   U luggage
    Use l     rackk
     AFTER   you inspect it
   If you fi
           find
              d signs
                 i    off bed
                          b dbbugs
     Reportit immediately
     Request a new room

Going
    g home…

   Portable heating units are expensive
     May   be worth it for frequent travelers
   Seal luggage in plastic bags until you
    Do a careful inspection
    Wash the contents

RRamsey C
             County
   Bed Bug Web Page
www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/id/bed_bugs.htm
                   / / /

Th k Y
Thank You!!