NORTH COAST COMMUNITY HOMES
Overview of Bedbugs
1) Where do bed bugs come from?
The quick answer is no one knows for sure. Many factors have been suggested as the causes of this
bedbug epidemic, such as an increase in immigration and international traveler, the banning of many
powerful pesticides, changes in pest control practices, lack of awareness and knowledge of and limited
experience in controlling this pest, and pesticide resistance. But none of these has been scientifically
proven.
Although it is almost beyond doubt that some bedbugs have been brought into the United States from
overseas, it does not explain the sudden explosion in bedbug populations. Statistics on immigration and
international travel also do not support the claim that they are the causes of this bedbug epidemic. If you
believe that all the bedbugs in this country have been brought in from overseas, then you would expect to
see a spike in the number of immigrants and international travelers, but the data clearly indicates
otherwise.
A more convincing explanation is the change in pest control techniques. Because of the high effectiveness
of cockroach baits the pest control industry began to switch from baseboard treatments to the use of baits
and insect growth regulators in the early 1990s. Spraying had been practically eliminated by 1995, a few
years before this bedbug epidemic started.
Another reasonable explanation is the cancellation and restriction of many powerful pesticides. We all
know that DDT was banned on Jan 1, 1973. But many more pesticides have been banned or heavily
restricted during the past few decades. Some of them are believed to be more effective than the pesticides
available today.
Many people also believe that bedbugs were completely eradicated in the U.S. and other developed
countries by DDT. This is not true either. Most experts agree that, although rare, bedbug infestations have
always existed in this country. Due to the fact that so many factors may be involved and that so many
changes have taken place, amazingly, all within the last five to ten years, it is almost impossible to know
what exactly has caused this bedbug epidemic. The bottom line is it may be a convergence of all those
factors, but none of that really explains the rapid increase in recent years.
2) What do bed bugs look like?
The adult bed bug compares in size to the seed of a medium sized apple. Eggs are nearly microscopic
nymphs can be the size of a pin-point.
3) How fast do they multiply?
- Sex ratio is 1:1
- 10 months of life span
- Eggs hatch in 10 days
- Nympal development time is 60 days
- Female lay 4 or more eggs per day or 200 to 500 eggs over a period of two months.
In 90 days the number reaches 1,000. In 114 days the number climbs to 5,000 and on day 129 the
untouched bed bug population has reached 10,000. It is realistic to have a few thousand of bedbugs in one
residence provided that there are enough food supply and harborage places.
4) What do bed bug bites look like?
Typically, only one out of 10 people have reactions to bed bug bites. Those reactions are small, red, itchy
welts similar to many other insects. The tell-tale sign is that multiple bites are often lined up in a row.
The bed bug only requires about 2 or 3 minutes to feed. It feeds about once every 2 to 3 days if a food
source is nearby. Bed bugs will feed on other animals like dogs, cats and birds, if humans are not
available.
5) What attracts the bed bug?
Bed bugs do not jump, fly, swim or take taxis. They walk, but they can find a food source from about 20
feet away. Research shows they are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide we give off every time
we exhale.
6) What makes up an effective treatment?
This is tricky, because each treatment may vary depending upon the level of infestation, the amount of
upholstered furniture in a room, the over-all room sanitation, how prepared the room is for treatment and,
of course, how the room got infested in the first place. No treatment will be effective if the original source
of the bed bugs continues unchecked. The source can be a visitor or a place the tenant visits often. The
Source might even be something that is not possible to treat such as a TV, computer or other electronic
device.
Pest control companies will use vacuums on upholstered furniture and baseboards. Steam cleaners will
kill eggs, but too much steam pressure can blow eggs off surfaces, making them land on other areas
undetected. Residual pesticides cannot be used on surfaces where human contact is possible. Caulking can
be somewhat effective, but difficult and expensive. Non-residual contact pesticides must touch the bed
bug to kill it, but can be used on mattresses and other surfaces.
Furniture must be turned over and inspected on the bottom. Drawers must be emptied to inspect inside
and under each drawer. Clothing must be heated to 120 degrees for one-hour to kill bed bugs. Freezing
requires constant low temperatures for ten days to kill bed bugs. Mattress covers are only necessary if
the mattress fabric is cut. However, box spring covers are effective encasing bed bugs.
7) Do I need to throw away my furniture?
Furniture need only be discarded if it is heavily infested. It is nearly impossible to find all the hiding bed
bugs in an upholstered couch or lounge chair. Treating furniture with a residential insecticide can cause
mildew damage. Sometimes a piece of furniture simply cannot be saved unless it is fumigated in a
professional fumigation vault.
8) How do I keep bed bugs away forever?
You don’t, but you can work to keep them under control.
Sanitation: Although bed bugs are not associated with filth, poor sanitation can make it difficult to detect
when bed bugs are present.
Cooperation; Following suggestions make by pest control professionals will help make any bed bug
program more effective.
Awareness: Educate your residents and management team to report bed bug sightings immediately. Note;
Some residents may be hesitant to report bed bugs if they fell their furniture may be removed.
BED BUGS
by Michael F. Potter,
Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Most householders of this generation have never seen a bed bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity
among pest control professionals. Bed bug infestations were common in the United States before World
War II, but with improvements in hygiene, and especially the widespread use of DDT during the l940s
and ‘50s, the bugs all but vanished. The pests remained prevalent, though, in other regions of the world
including Asia. Africa, Central/South America and Europe. In recent years, bed bugs have also made a
comeback in the U.S. They are increasingly being encountered in homes apartments, hotels, motels,
dormitories shelters and modes of transport. International travel and immigration have undoubtedly
contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs in this country. Changes in modern pest control practice - and
less effective bed bug pesticides - are other factors suspected for the recurrence.
Description and Habits
Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened
insects that feed solely on the blood of
animals. The common bed bug, Cimex
lectularius, is the species most adapted to
living with humans. It has done so since
ancient times.
Bed bugs are mentioned, for example, in medieval European texts and in classical Greek writings back to
the time of Aristotle. Other bed bug species prefer to feed on wild hosts, especially bats and birds.
Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. They are
sometimes mistaken for ticks or cockroaches. The immature (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller
and sometimes lighter in color. Bed bugs do not fly, but can move quickly over floors, walls, ceilings and
other surfaces. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in secluded areas, depositing up to five a day and 500
during a lifetime. The eggs are tiny, whitish, and hard to see without magnification (individual eggs are
about the size of a dust spec). When first laid, the eggs are sticky, causing them to adhere to substrates.
Newly batched nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times
before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable
conditions, (70-90 ºF), the bugs can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more
generations a year. Cool temperatures or limited access to a blood meal extends the development time.
Bed bugs are very resilient. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a
year. Infestations therefore are unlikely to diminish by leaving premises unoccupied. Although C.
lechtularius prefers feeding on humans, it will also bite other warm-blooded animals, including pets.
Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep.
Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices, especially those associated with mattresses,
box springs, bed frames and headboards. Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to
congregate in habitual hiding places.
Characteristically these areas are marked by
dark spotting and staining, which is the dried
excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs
and eggshells, molted skins of maturing nymphs,
and the bugs themselves.
Another likely sign of bed bugs is rusty or reddish spots of blood on bed sheets, mattresses or walls.
Heavy infestations may have a musty or ‘buggy” smell, but the odor is seldom apparent and should not be
relied upon for detection.
Bed bugs prefer to hide close to where they feed. However if necessary, they will crawl several feet to
obtain a blood meal. Initial infestations tend to be around beds, but the bugs eventually may become
scattered throughout a room occupying any crevice or protected location. They also can spread to adjacent
rooms or apartments.
Bites and Concerns
Bed bugs usually bite people at night while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin with an
elongated beak through which they withdraw blood. Engorgement takes about three to 10 minutes, yet the
person seldom knows they are being bitten. Symptoms thereafter vary with the individual. Many people
develop an itchy red welt or localized swelling, which sometimes appears a day or so after the bite. Others
have little or no reaction. Unlike flea bites, which occur mainly around the ankles, bed bugs feed on any
bare skin exposed while sleeping (face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, etc.). The welts and itching are
often attributed to other causes such as mosquitoes. For these reasons, infestations may go a long time
unnoticed and can become quite large before being detected. The possibility of bed bugs increases if the
affected individual has been traveling, or had acquired used beds or furnishings before symptom started to
appear. Bed bugs also are suspect it you wake up with itchy bites you did not have when you went to
sleep. Conversely, it is important to recognize that not all bites or bite-like reactions are due to bed bugs.
Confirmation requires finding and identifying the bugs themselves which often requires the help of a
professional. (Other possible sources of irritation are discussed in University of Kentucky entomology
fact sheet —58: Invisible Itches: Insect and non-insect causes.)
A common concern with bed bugs is whether they transmit diseases. Although bed bugs can harbor
pathogens in their bodies, the transmission to humans is highly unlikely. For this reason, they are not
considered a serious disease threat. Their medical significance is mainly limited to the itching and
inflammation from their bites. Antihistamines and corticosteroids may he prescribed to reduce allergic
reactions, and antiseptic or antibiotic ointments to prevent infection. Infestations also may cause anxiety,
embarrassment, and loss of sleep.
How lnfestations Originate
It often seems that bed bugs arise from nowhere. The bugs are efficient hitchhikers and are usually
transported in on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture, etc. Outbreaks can often be traced to travel, especially
in countries or cities where bed bugs are common. This is a particular problem for hotels, motels, and
apartments, where turnover of occupants is constant. Bed bugs are small, cryptic and agile, escaping
detection after crawling in suitcases, boxes, and belongings. The eggs are almost impossible to see when
laid on most surfaces. Use of secondhand beds, couches, and furniture is another way that the bugs are
transported into previously non-infested dwellings.
Once bed bugs are introduced, they often spread
room to room throughout a building. Unlike
cockroaches that feed on filth, the level of
cleanliness has little to do with most bed
bug infestations.
Pristine homes, hotels, and apartments have plenty of hiding places and an abundance of warm blooded
hosts. Thus they are almost as vulnerable to infestation as are places of squalor.
When bed bug-like insects are found, it’s important to consider whether bats, swallows, chimney swifts,
pigeons, or other wild hosts are involved. Although similar in appearance, bedbug species that normally
feed on bats and birds can be differentiated from those that prefer humans. Entomologists and
knowledgeable pest control firms can make this determination.
Controlling Infestations
Bed bugs are challenging pests to control. They hide in many tiny places, inspections and treatments must
he very thorough. In most cases, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a professional pest control firm.
Experienced companies know where to look for bed bugs, and have an assortment of management tools at
their disposal. Owners and occupants will need to assist the professional in important ways. Affording
access for inspection and treatment is essential, and excess clutter should be removed. In some, cases,
infested mattresses and box springs will need to be discarded. Since bed bugs can disperse throughout a
building, it also may be necessary to inspect adjoining rooms and apartments.
Where They Hide
Bed bugs can live in almost any crevice
or protected location. The most common
place to find them is the bed. Bed bugs often
hide within seams, tufts, and crevices
of the mattress, box spring, bed frame
and head board.
A thorough inspection requires dismantling the bed and standing the components on edge so that upper
and lower surfaces can be examined. Things to look for are the bugs themselves, and the light-brown,
molted skins of the nymphs. Dark spots of dried bed bug excrement are often present along mattress
seams or wherever the bugs have resided. Box springs afford many places for bed bugs to hide, especially
underneath where the fabric is stapled to the wooden frame. Oftentimes the underlying dust cover must be
removed to gain access for inspection and possible treatment. Successful treatment of mattresses and box
springs is difficult, however, and infested components may need to be discarded. Cracks and crevices of
bed frames should be examined, especially if the frame is wood. (Bed bugs have an affinity for wood and
fabric more so than metal or plastic). Headboards secured to walls should also be removed and inspected.
In hotels and motels, the area behind the headboard is often the first place that the bugs become
established. Bed hugs also hide among items stored under beds.
Many areas besides beds, however, can harbor bed bugs.
Upholstered chairs and sofas should
be checked carefully including seam
tufts, skirts, and crevices. Sofas can
be major bed bug hotspots, especially
when used for sleeping.
Nightstands and dressers should be emptied and examined inside and out, then tipped over to inspect the
woodwork underneath. Oftentimes, the bugs will be hiding in cracks, corners, and recesses.
Other common places to find bed bugs include: along and under
the edge of wall to wall carpeting (especially behind beds and
furniture): cracks in wood molding; ceiling-wall junctures; behind
wall-mounts, picture frames, switch plates and outlets; under loose
wallpaper; amongst clothing stored in closets; and inside clocks,
phones, televisions and smoke detectors.
The challenge is to find and treat all places where bugs and eggs may be present. Bed bugs tend to
congregate in certain areas, but it is common to find an individual or some eggs scattered here and there.
Persistence and a bright flashlight are requisites for success. Inspectors sometimes also inject a
pyrethrum-based, “flushing agent” into crevices to help reveal where bugs may be hiding. A thorough
treatment of a home, hotel, or apartment may take up to several hours.
Treatment Procedures
Bed bugs were treated years ago by wholesale spraying of beds, floors, walls, furniture. etc., with DDT.
This practice is no longer permitted. Thoroughness is still very important, but treatments today are
generally more targeted and judicious.
It often takes hours to properly inspect
and treat bed bug infestation, and
follow-up visits are usually required.
As mentioned earlier, owners and occupants have important pre-treatment responsibilities. Reducing
clutter is a necessity. Belongings strewn about rooms afford many places for bed bugs to hide, and
impedes inspection and treatment. Infested bedding and garments will need to be bagged and laundered
(l20º F minimum), or discarded since these items cannot be treated with insecticides. Items that cannot be
laundered can sometimes be de-infested by heating for several minutes in a clothes dryer. Other items can
be wrapped in plastic and placed in a hot, sunny location for at least a few days (the 120’F minimum
target temperature should be monitored in the centermost location with a thermometer). Bed bugs also
succumb to cool temperatures below 32º F, but the chilling period must be maintained for at least two
weeks. Attempts to rid an entire home or apartment of bed bugs by raising or lowering the thermostat will
be entirely unsuccessful. Most housecleaning measures are of little benefit in bed bug management. Sitespecific vacuuming, however, can help remove some of the bugs before treatment with insecticides. Bed
bugs (especially the eggs) can be difficult to dislodge. Optimum results will be achieved by moving and
scraping the end of the suction wand along infested areas such as scams, tufts and edge of bedding, and
the perimeter edge of wall to wall carpets. Afterward, dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed trash
bag. Steam cleaning of carpets may be helpful for killing bugs and eggs that vacuuming may have missed.
While the former measures are helpful, insecticides are important for bed bug elimination. Pest control
professionals treat using a variety of low-odor sprays, dusts, and aerosols. (Baits designed to control ants
and cockroaches are ineffective). Application entails treating all areas where the bugs are
discovered, or tend to crawl or hide. Some bed bug species are parasites of bats or birds, and may bite
people if the wild hosts are no longer available. If bat bugs or bird bugs are involved, roosting and nesting
sites should also be treated and the animals excluded from the building.
Do I Have to Throw Out the Bed?
Eliminating bed bugs from beds can be a challenge, lf here are holes or tears in the fabric, the bugs and
eggs may be inside, as well as outside. There also are restrictions on how beds can be treated with
insecticides. For these reasons, pest control firms often recommend that beds be discarded, especially
when heavily infested or in poor condition. Whether the bed stays or goes, encasing both the mattress and
box spring is helpful if bugs are still present. Zippered encasements, available at bedding and allergy
supply stores -- deny bed bugs access to inner, hidden areas and entrap any bugs that are already inside.
Sonic pest control firms treat seams, tufts and crevices of bed components, but they will not spray the
entire mattress surface, bed sheets, blankets, or clothing. Vacuuming (discussed previously) may further
help to remove bugs and eggs from mattresses and box springs that cannot be discarded. Sonic pest
control firms also treat beds with portable steam machines. The technique can be useful, but affords no
residual protection and does not kill bugs or eggs hidden inside the box spring or mattress. Fumigation is
another way to de-infest beds and hard-to-treat items, but the procedure is not always available. In
extreme cases, entire buildings have been fumigated for bed bugs. The procedure is costly though, and
involves covering the building in a tarp and injecting a lethal gas.
Avoiding Infestations
The cryptic, mobile nature of bed bugs facilitates
the dispersal. Householders should be wary of
acquiring used furnishings, especially beds and
couches. Curbside items should definitely be
avoided, and secondhand items should be examined
closely before being brought into the home.
Concerned travelers may want to check their bed for telltale signs of the bugs -- common practice years
ago. This would entail examining the bed sheets and upper and lower seams of the mattress. Some
professionals also suggest removal and examination behind the headboard, a frequent hiding place for the
bugs in hotel rooms. If bed bugs are detected, travelers can request another room. Concerned travelers
may also want to elevate suitcases off the floor (ag. on a luggage stand). Inspecting or vacuuming luggage
upon arriving home is less useful since it is hard to detect bed bug inside a suitcase.
Although incidence of bed bugs in the United States is increasing, they remain rare in comparison to most
other household pests. Familiarity can help to avoid infestation, or at least prompt earlier intervention by a
professional.
CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered far use in Kentucky, USA
ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country Please check with your local
county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this pub/least
Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY
PESTICIDE!