Bed bugs

Bed BugsYou may not be sleeping alone!

Angela KnoxBiology 108

Cimex Lectularius L. Commonly known as bed bugs has become a nation wide epidemic. These bugs affect millions of people everywhere. They are found in hotels, apartments, houses, buses, schools, and maybe even your bed.

The history of bed bugs:Bed bugs were common in the US before World War 2Then in the 40’s and 50’s they were wiped out by a chemical called DDTSome of the factors that contributed in their return to the US:The government banned the use of DDTThe bed bugs built a resistance to other pesticidesImmigrationInternational travel

Map of bed bugs registered sightings in the U.S. The little red dots are where bed bugs have been seen and reported. The most infested places are in cities.

There are two different types of bed bugs. One feeds on human blood the other is the Eastern Bat Bed Bug. We will discuss the bed bug that affects humans the most.

Bed Bugs look a lot like ticks and fleas. Their physical feaures are:They have a oval and chestnut- brown bodyA adult bed bug’s average size is ¼ inch longThey have mouthparts that are enlogated probosics that hide underneath their body when not feedingThey mostly resemble a small apple seed

Bed Bugs can reproduce quickly, causing a higher infestation.Mated females deposit eggs in their secluded resting place Eggs are white and tiny. They are hard to see with the naked eye( about the size of a dust speck).One female will produce 345 eggs in a life span. Depositing one to two eggs a day.

Bed Bug eggs

Newly hatched eggs are called Nypmphs They are straw colored and no bigger than a pin head.They can develop into adulthood in as little as a month.As they grow they molt, shedding their old skin and leaving it behind.A blood meal is needed every time they molt.

Bed Bug Nypmphs

Bed Bugs HabitatsBeds and headboardsCouchesNight stands and dressersCracks in the wall and base boardsStuffed animals and clothesCarpet and any fabric itemThey like warm enviroments 70 to 80 degrees is their preferred tempature

Bed Bugs Eat Blood• They feed at night when the host is sleeping•They can go a long time without feeding. Nymphs can go months and adults can survive up to a year without a single meal.•If they are very hungry, they will feed upon other warm blooded animals, like pets.

Bed Bugs and health concernsBed bugs do not carry any known pathogens to humans, but can cause:Itching and swelling where the bites areDiscomfortAnxietySleeplessnessEmbarrassmentShame

How do you get bed bugs?Purchasing used furnitureGetting used items on the curbside or yard sales A hitchhiker bug that catches a ride on your clothing or bags from a person’s house, taxi, bus, ECT. Bringing them back from a hotel or travel

The signs that you might have bed bugs are:Waking up with red bumps (usally found on limbs or areas where clothing are not covering the skin)Dark spots(bed bug poop) or dried blood stains on the sheets and mattressesBugs or nymphs in the creases of the bed or under the box spring

Treatments to get rid of bed bugsBedding and garments will need to be washed to a tempature of 120 degreesFor items that cannot be washed they can be placed in the dryer on high heat for 10-20 minDo not send items to be drycleaned(they can infest other people’s clothes)Heating the entire house(by a professional) to 120 degreesFreezing items at 32 degrees for several days( not very effective)Throwing out infested items( only if a professional tells you to it could cause them to spread to other areas of the house)Hiring a exterminator( must have several treatments and very costly, but the most effective)

Treatments that do not workoVaccuming and shampooing the carpets and furniture( bed bugs are too deep and too small for the devices to reach them)oRoach and ant trapsoMost over the counter insecticidesoThrowing out furniture( they will spread to other places)oMoving to another dwelling( The bed bugs will just travel with you

Prevention of bed bugs is a must:Do not purchase used furnitureDo not pick up items on the curbsideWhen getting second hand items, launder them immediatelyWhen traveling, keep suitcases elevated off the floor and on a hard surfaceWhen returning home wash everything immediatelyKeep clothes and items in a air tight bagDo not go anywhere where bed bugs are suspected

Bed bugs are a pest to humans they can be traumatizing and costly to anyone who gets them.Anyone can get bed bugs no matter how clean or dirty some one. They are something we all need to be aware of so we try to control this epidemic

SLEEP TIGHT DON’T LET THE BED BUGS BITE!