Bed Bug Detection and Management In Schools Dr. Susan Jones Professor of Entomology Bed Bugs In Schools BE PROACTIVE!!!! Educate the school community on bed bugs Promptly respond to a bed bug sighting Presentation Outline • • • • • Myths Habits Prevention Detection methods Treatment options Worldwide Resurgence of Bed Bugs Since Late 1990s SPAIN CANADA ENGLAND August 2010 CDC & EPA Joint Statement Bed bugs are a pest of significant public health importance! http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs/ The Most Bed Bug-Infested Cities in the U.S. The Common Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius) • • • • Insects (true bugs) Temporary external parasites Feed only on blood Prefer to feed on humans Alternate hosts: rodents, bats, birds, pets (cats, dogs, etc.) Not caused by bad housekeeping!! BED BUGS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE! BED BUG HABITS • Cannot fly • Can walk very fast • Typically hide during the day in dark, protected sites (esp. cracks & crevices) • Prefer fabric, wood, and paper surfaces • Can cling tightly to surfaces Bed bugs are very good hitchhikers! • • • • • Clothing Backpacks Purses Books Other items carried into schools --Bed Bug Hitchhikers— in shoe tread --Bed Bug Hitchhikers— in walker & wheelchair Photos courtesy of General Pest Control Co. How do bed bugs travel? • Hitchhiking • Walking • down a hallway after dropping off an item • from an infested room to new territory • from one room to another via pipes, telephone, cable or electrical wires Bed Bugs In Schools • Brought in by students, staff, visitors, etc. • Bugs crawl into the school’s chairs, carpeting, equipment, etc. • A single bed bug does not warrant panic or school closure! Control of Bed Bugs In Schools • Early identification is very important • Staff should be trained re. what to look for • Maintenance and cleaning crews should be on the lookout for telltale signs of bed bugs • Capture a bug for positive identification INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) FOR BED BUGS: Correctly identify the pest + Conduct a thorough inspection + Use sanitation measures + Apply insecticides to targeted sites Egg ~0.04 inch (1 mm) long Glued in place Adult (male & female) ~0.26 inch (6.5 mm) long Takes repeated blood meals; life span ~1 to 1½ yrs 1st stage nymph ~0.06 inch (1.5 mm) long Takes a blood meal then molts LIFE CYCLE OF THE BED BUG 2nd stage nymph (Cimex lectularius) ~0.08 inch (2 mm) long Takes a blood meal then molts Note: These images depict bugs with a partly digested blood meal. © The Ohio State University Dr. Susan C. Jones & Benjamin R. Diehl 5th stage nymph 3rd stage nymph ~0.18 inch (4.5 mm) long Takes a blood meal then molts 4th stage nymph ~0.12 inch (3 mm) long Takes a blood meal then molts ~0.1 inch (2.5 mm) long Takes a blood meal then molts --IDENTIFICATION-Shape and Size • Beak-like mouthparts • Oval shaped • Body flattened (unfed) to swollen (recently fed) • Adults: ~1/4 – 3/8 inch long • Youngest nymphs (immature bugs) are tiny (<<1/10 inch long) --IDENTIFICATION-Color •Youngest nymphs: • almost colorless (unfed) • crimson (recently fed) • Older nymphs and adults: • various shades of brown (unfed) • reddish brown (fed) Adult Bed Bugs Female Male Bat Bug (Cimex lectularius) (Cimex adjunctus) eye eye Bed Bug IDENTIFICATION SERVICES Ohio State University Pest Diagnostic Clinic • Fee for identification services ($20 per insect sample) • ID wide variety of insects, arthropods, plant diseases, etc. • Online submission form: http://ppdc.osu.edu Recognizing Bed Bug Bites • Skin reactions (avg = 7 of 10 people) • Redness • Welts • Itching • Resemble bites from other insects & arthropods • Typically no red spot at the center (such as with fleas and black flies) • Typically occur on exposed skin • Neck and face; shoulders and arms; back; etc. • Rarely occur on the palms or soles (such as with scabies mites) • Often occur in rows or groups • Confirmation based on finding bed bug evidence Control of Bed Bugs In Schools Prompt action is very important for bed bugs! Downloadable Notification Letter For Adapting To Your School http://centralohiobedbugs.org Control of Bed Bugs In Schools • If a bed bug is positively identified… • Don’t panic. It’s not necessarily a sign of a bed bug infestation. • A pest control professional should conduct a thorough bed bug inspection. Recognize the telltale signs of bed bugs! • • • • • • Black fecal spots Shed skins & eggshells Live bed bugs (nymphs & adults) Blood stains from crushed bugs Welts on exposed skin Distinctive “buggy” odor (in severe infestations) Bed Bugs Behind A Hanging Picture Tell-tale Signs of Bed Bugs in Furniture bed frame Tell-tale Signs of Bed Bugs Behind Baseboards Tell-tale Signs of Bed Bugs in Electrical Outlets --Bed Bug Inspection-Bed Bug-Sniffing Dogs • Dog and handler should be specially trained and certified • Dog requires daily training, too • The dog’s handler is important • Can have high accuracy • Enable rapid inspections • Expensive Much variability among canine Rutgers Field Study detectionUniversity firms. Can be a useful tool in large-scale inspections. August 2011 ‘Detection Tools and Techniques’ Canine team performance By: Changlu Wang and Richard Cooper Average Range Inspection time 150 minutes 100-250 min. Cost $750 $500-1,000 Detection rate 43% 11-83% (7 firms; 24 apts.) False positive rate (signaling bed bugs that weren’t there) 0-38% --Active Monitoring Device-- Overview of the Verifi™ Bed Bug Detector Components A CO2 BOOSTER PACK (lasts for 24 hours) B PITFALL 3 in 4 in LURE (lasts for 90 days) --Pheromone chamber (mimics bed bug aggregation scent) 5 in --Kairomone chamber (mimics host odor) C PITFALL D HARBORAGE front view (cut away) back view E ADHESIVE http://www.fmcprosolutions.com/BedBugs/PropertyManager/Home.aspx — OSU Research Study — PITFALL All Stages Of Bed Bugs Were Captured In The Verifi™ Detector Pitfall. — OSU Research Study — HARBORAGE Some Bed Bugs Were Found On The Verifi™ Detector Harborage. 4 eggs 1 adult female — OSU Research Study — Nmber of Errrors Comparison of Erroneous Results with Canine Team, Dry Ice Trap, and Verifi™ Detector 3 2 1 0 Dog 1 Dog 2 False Positive Dog 1 Dog 2 False Negative Canine Team False False False False Positive Negative Positive Negative Dry Ice Trap Detection Method Verifi Detector --Passive Monitoring Devices-- Climbup™ Interceptor Sticky Traps Bed Bug Detector Trap Control of Bed Bugs In Schools If numerous bed bugs are identified… Contact a professional pest control company to treat for bed bugs • ODA web site lists licensed pest mgt. companies and applicators Sanitation Measures (Typically are used to supplement additional treatment measures.) Some measures to help reduce the number of bed bugs: Use a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. •Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum cleaner. •It is useful to reduce the number of bed bugs. (A scraping action with the attachment is needed to remove eggs.) •It is useful for cracks & crevices. •Dispose of the vacuum bag afterwards. •Remember that an on-site vacuum can serve as a harborage for bed bugs. Vacuuming to contain bed bugs Some measures to help reduce the number of bed bugs: Steaming • Commercial steam unit preferable • Dry steam preferable (less moisture) • Surface temperature should be Photo courtesy of General Pest Control Co. ~176ºF (80ºC) • Steam immediately kills bed bugs & eggs • Requires working slowly and thoroughly • Steam can penetrate many fabrics & padding • Some materials too thick for heat transfer • Prolonged drying time (use fan, dehumidifier, natural ventilation) • No residual protection Some measures to help reduce the number of bed bugs: Launder bedding, clothing, etc.! • Wash in hot water (>120ºF, [50ºC]) • Drier on hot setting (>30 minutes) Treatment Options • Heat treatment (whole structure, container) • Cold (usefulness is limited) • Insecticides • Residual products (dust, liquid, aerosols) • Fumigation (sulfuryl fluoride) Containerized Heat Treatment ≥120º F for several hours Portable Thermal Chamber Whole Room Heat Treatment Cold Treatment What shouldn’t you do for a bed bug problem? • “Bug Bombs” (“foggers”) won’t control bed bug infestations • “Bug Bombs” may cause bed bugs to scatter!!! “Bug Bombs” can worsen the bed bug problem!! October 2012 http://pct.texterity.com/pct/201210#pg1 cockroach feces bed bugs nearby cockroach shed skin What shouldn’t you do for a bed bug problem? Typically, you shouldn’t dispose of furniture. • Bed bugs will fall off the furniture as you are moving it, hence spreading the problem. • Infested furniture usually can be treated. • Bed bugs can quickly infest replacement furniture. • Items placed on the curb often are picked up and reused, thereby spreading bed bugs to other households. BUYER BEWARE: Grocery store insect sprays won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation! • Must be sprayed directly on the bed bugs (‘kills on contact’) • Most bugs are hiding and WILL NOT be killed • Little or no residual activity (the chemical breaks down quickly) Words of caution regarding “natural products” for bed bug control: • Exempt from EPA regulation • EPA requires no efficacy data • Claims often based on “satisfied customers”—ask for their research data and evaluate it carefully BUYER BEWARE: Boric acid products don’t work! • Boric acid does not kill bed bugs. • Boric acid is a stomach poison that must be eaten by an insect. Remember that bed bugs feed only on blood. Some Basics of Bed Bug Management Using Insecticides • There is no single “magic bullet”. • A residual insecticide is necessary. • Control of a bed bug infestation typically takes several treatments. • It is important to use several different formulations, and often, several different insecticides. • Don’t keep using the same insecticide (rotate insecticide use) Non-pyrethroid Insecticides For Use Against Bed Bugs Active Ingredient (insecticide class) Product Name(s) Imidacloprid + ß-cyfluthrin (neonicotinoid + pyrethroid) Chlorfenapyr (halogenated pyrrole) Temprid® SC Acetamiprid + bifenthrin (neonicotinoid + pyrethroid) Thiamethoxam + λ-cyhalothrin (neonicotinoid + pyrethroid) Dinotefuran + diatomaceous earth (neonicotinoid + silica dioxide) Phantom® SC Phantom® PI Transport® Mikron Transport® GHP Tandem® Prescription Treatment Alpine® Dust Alpine® PI Some Insecticides Registered For Use Against Bed Bugs Active Ingredient Diatomaceous earth (=silica dioxide) Product Name Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control Safer® Brand Ant & Crawling Insect Killer Phenothrin w/isopropanol with synergist Steri-fab® Bedlam® Miscellaneous Label Notes - Crack & crevice applications - Slow-acting - Residual (long-lasting) activity - Dusts should be applied in thin layers - DO NOT allow product to get wet or it will permanently lose effectiveness - Caution: Avoid inhalation; wear a dust mask during application - Pool grade DE should NEVER be used for pest control. Pool grade DE contains crystalline silica and can be a respiratory hazard. - Mattresses mentioned on label - Steri-fab: General surface application - Bedlam: Mattresses mentioned on label—emphasis on seams, tufts and folds; spot applic. elsewhere - Contact insecticide, not a residual Responding to a Bed Bug Incident at School • Obtain samples of the insect for positive ID • Arrange for professional inspection ASAP • Try to determine who has bed bug infestations at home so that you can offer guidance and suggestions: • Provide educational material on bed bugs • Communicate the importance of eliminating the bed bug infestation at home • Suggest limiting the number of items brought to school • Suggest storing school items inside a sealed container away from beds and upholstered furniture at home Reference: L. J. Pinto, R. Cooper, & S. K. Kraft. 2007. Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs. Pinto and Associates, Inc. Mechanicsville, MD. Responding to a Bed Bug Incident at School • Have a trained individual (e.g., school nurse) inspect items that are brought into school • • • • Be discreet Be respectful Be aware of unnecessary social stigmas Inspect items prior to entering classrooms Reference: L. J. Pinto, R. Cooper, & S. K. Kraft. 2007. Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs. Pinto and Associates, Inc. Mechanicsville, MD. http://centralohiobedbugs.org For More Information http://ohioline.osu.edu OSU Extension Fact Sheets: • HYG-2105 (Bed bugs) • HYG-2105A (Bat bugs) Thank You! Sleep tight, and don’t let the … … well, you know the rest BED BUG PREVENTION FOR TRAVELERS Make it STANDARD PRACTICE to check for bed bugs in hotel/motel rooms! • Pull back the bedding and look for black fecal spots on mattress & box springs (especially seams) • Carefully examine the underside of the bed skirt • Look for bb signs along bed frame (especially head board) • Open nightstand drawers and look for bb signs along inner and outer edges • Look for bb signs along baseboards DON’T STAY IN A ROOM THAT HAS BB SIGNS BED BUG PREVENTION FOR TRAVELERS Reduce the chances of getting bed bugs from hotel/motel rooms! • Keep clothes in your zipped suitcase • Don’t keep clothes in hotel chest-of-drawers • OK to hang clothes in closet • Don’t store your suitcase on the bed, floor, or upholstered furniture • Keep your suitcase on the luggage rack (after first inspecting it for bb signs) • The bathroom (tub) is the best place to store your items!