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BED BUGS...THEY'RE BACK By Molly Keck |
 Photo: Adult bed bug feeding on a human. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) |
In recent months bed bugs have emerged on the radar of entomologists and pest control professionals. Unfortunately, bed bugs are back!
Historically, bed bugs have been common in hotels, dormitories, and apartments, but they are now being found in single family residences. International travel, changes in pest control practices, intolerance and resistance to insecticides are all reasons for why the resurgence of these nuisance insects is occurring.
In addition to the aforementioned theories, hesitancy to report bed bugs or call a professional on the part of the homeowner, apartment management, or hotel owner plays a large role in the public's ignorance of bed bugs. We have become a traveling society, and bed bugs can be picked up in linens, laundry, or pillows of the cleanest individual. Bed bugs are not always associated with unsanitary circumstances.
Before
you panic...Many things other than bed bugs can cause itchy welts or spots on
a person's body. Before you jump to the conclusion that you have bed bugs or
were bitten by one, you MUST have proof: shed skins, fecal spotting (blood spots),
or an actual bed bug. In order to find these, you must do a complete search.
Look in the seams of the mattress, cracks in the bed frame, staples in the bed
frame, behind electrical outlet plates, behind pictures hanging on walls, and
clutter that may be lying on the floor.
Bed bugs are small, and they love to hide in tiny cracks and crevices, so a
good search may take an hour or more. They tend to aggregate together in warm,
porous substances. They aren't restricted to the bedroom; couches and chairs
are also good hiding places, especially those used for sleeping.
 Photo: Bed bug hiding within a screw depression. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) |
 Photo: Bed bug excrement on a mattress. (M. Potter, Univ. of Kentucky) |
If you suspect, or actually discover that you do have bed bugs, call a pest control business to come out and inspect. Ask them if they have bed bug experience and go with the most experienced company. The company should come out and do a very thorough inspection before treating. Treatments are best when repeated after approximately ten days.
What to do with the bed is always a question that arises. Very few pesticides are labeled for use on mattresses. Therefore you should take into account the severity of the infestation. If the mattress is severely infested, it may be in the best interest of the homeowner to remove it. But be aware that a new mattress may attract bed bugs from other areas in the bedroom.
Prevention is difficult and time consuming. Travelers should check their mattresses in hotels for bed bug signs. Keep luggage off the floor and routinely vacuum and wash bedding at home. Plastic liners on mattresses may give some relief, but be sure to remove the liner for inspection occasionally. Remember, the best prevention is education, sanitation, and regular monitoring.
For more information contact IPM Program Specialist and Entomologist, Molly Keck at 210-467-6575 or email at mekeck@ag.tamu.edu