Important Facts About Bedbugs

From Columbus, Ohio to Denver, Colorado, there is a huge band that is touring. The band has been doing gigs all over the United States. Well, the band is not exactly popular, but is fast becoming well known. The band likes to perform at night, and will literally suck the blood right out of you.

Okay, probably not too much humor involved if you get infested by a band of bedbugs, or Cimex lectularius. They are on the rise in the United States. Denver firefighters have sure battled more than just fires as of late.

Causes
1. From bugs and eggs that “hitchhiked in” on clothing and luggage.
2. From infested items (e.g., furniture, clothes) brought in.
3. From a nearby dwelling or infested item, if there are easy routes.
4. Wild animals (e.g. bats, birds) and pets brought in.

Facts
1. Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases.
2. The number one cause of bed bug infestations is bringing an item that contains bed bugs into a dwelling.
3. One fertilized female can start a local infestation.
4. Bed bugs like to hide, so thoroughly search any item before bringing it into your home.
5. Adult bed bugs are red or brown and 6mm long (about the size of an apple seed); new born nymphs are 1mm long and translucent.
6. Bed bugs feed on blood and can often cause swelling and itching where they bite.

How to tell if you have bedbugs
1. During the night bed bugs can be crushed as a person tosses and turns, blood spots on sheets and pillowcases are a sign of bed bugs.
2. Tiny black spots are also a sign of bed bugs; these are excrement stains.
3. Bed bugs like to hide, so when looking for them inspect dark, isolated, and protected areas. These areas include mattresses, box springs, couches, clothes, drawers, picture frames, books, and curtains.

What to do if you discover you have bedbugs
1. First do not be afraid of the unfounded stigma that is often associated with bed bug infestation.
2. Finding and reporting the problem is the first step of control.
3. A detailed vacuuming can help remove the pests before they become a problem; a fine particle filter or bag should be used to avoid nymphs and eggs from escaping.
4. Washing clothes and bed linens in HOT water will also kill bed bugs including the hard to kill egg stage. Pillows and stuffed animals can be put in the dryer and treated with high heat for 20 minutes.
5. Clutter should be minimized as much as possible.
6. Infested items should be marked when thrown away to avoid the spread of the infestation.
More information: Denvergov.org

Although bedbugs can live for a year without feeding, they normally try to feed every five to ten days. In cold weather, bedbugs can live for about a year; at temperatures more conducive to activity and feeding, about 5 months. It has been reported that newer generations of pesticide-resistant bedbugs in Virginia could survive only two months without feeding.

Eradication of bedbugs
Eradication of bedbugs frequently requires a combination of pesticide and non pesticide approaches. Pesticides that have historically been found to be effective include: pyrethroids, dichlorvos and malathion. Resistance to pesticides has increased significantly over time and there are concerns of negative health effects from their usage. Mechanical approaches such as vacuuming up the insects and heat treating or wrapping mattresses have been recommended. The carbamate insecticide propoxur is highly toxic to bedbugs.