Bed BugsIPM for the Control of Bed Bugs

Key Discussion Points

History & Resurgence Identification Biology & Behavior Sanitation Disease & Bite Symptoms Avoiding Infestations Early Detection Mattress and Box Spring Encasements How Do Clients Know If They Have Bed Bugs? Think 3D, Outside the Box. Treatment Methods

History & Resurgence

No one knows for certain what caused the resurgence of bed bugs in the US. Contributing factors may include:

Bed bugs were a common problem in the USA during WWII

Worldwide increase in bed bug activity More frequent introductions during

international travel Changes in pest management practices &

resistance to pesticides Lack of public awareness is perpetuating

the continued dispersal of bed bugs

Identification

Identification

Biology & Behavior

Bed bugs are very resilient and easily survive for several months or more without a blood meal, in ideal conditions up to 18 months

1-5 eggs per day, 500 in a lifetimeHatch in 7-10 days

Active at night. Mostly between

1 am – 5 am (True Midnight)

Biology & Behavior Cont…

1 ½ -2 months

Biology & Behavior Cont…

Half of the blood ingested is lost by defecation within 5 hours.

Biology & Behavior Cont…

Bed Bug Mating Male punctures female body wall injects sperm into the female’s abdomen, outside of the reproductive tract.

Biology & Behavior Cont…

What Makes Them Active?

Biology & Behavior Cont…

Sanitation

Bed bugs are not caused by poor sanitation or one’s social status

Bed bug infestations must be introduced by bringing in an item that has bugs or eggs associated with it.

Poor sanitation, particularly clutter, can make it much more difficult to control or eliminate a bed bug infestation.

Disease & Bite Symptoms

Bed bugs have not been demonstrated to be effective transmitters of disease

Average time before people even notice an infestation is 3 months

Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites and some have delayed reactions to the bite

Bed bug bite symptoms typically appear as red, itchy welts but can vary from one individual to the next

Bite symptoms often appear in rows of several or more bites in a row

A single bug can be responsible for numerous bite symptoms

Disease & Bite Symptoms Cont…

Disease & Bite Symptoms Cont…

Early Detection

Early detection of bed bugs is difficult and low level infestations will often go undetected

There are no 100% reliable devices that can be placed out to detect bed bugs

In most cases we must rely on our ability to detect bed bugs through visual inspection

A physical sample of an actual bug or egg is required to be 100% certain that you have bed bugs

Bite symptoms are a good indicator but cannot be diagnosed with 100% certainty

Early Detection

Early Detection

K9 Inspections - MOLLY

◦K9 Inspections 97% Effective

MORE EXAMPLES OF SITES

◦ The most popular sites are . . . Head boards Bed frames Box springs Mattresses Nightstands Picture frames Chair and sofa skirts

and pleats Leg attachments Baseboards Cracks in flooring Under edges of carpet Behind wall paper

Do not immediately throw items away

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements

Encasements can be used proactively for the early detection of Bed Bugs

The use of encasements can prevent bed bugs from getting inside the mattress and box spring

Encasements can greatly aid in controlling bed bugs in an infested dwelling

It is very important that the encasement has been specifically tested and designed to be effective against bed bugs

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

It is difficult and time consuming to inspect & deal with bugs and eggs inside of boxsprings and the edges of mattresses

An effective Encasement takes the complexity of the mattress and box spring out of play, restricting the movement of bed bugs to the smooth exterior of the encasement where they can be easily detected and dealt with.

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

An effective encasement must have a zipper that bugs cannot escape through.Some zippers have teeth large enough for bugs to simply weave their way through as

indicated by the first stage nymph coming through the teeth of this zipper.

An effective encasement should seal completely at the zipper end stop. Not all end stops have a completeseal that is escape proof.

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

This particular encasement is escape proof when the zipper is pulled

completely shut

If the zipper pulls back, a largeenough gap is created to allow bed

bugs to enter and exit the encasement

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

Sealed BugLock ® Encasement Even with zipper pulled backan escape proof seal still exists

In order for bugs to escapethe zipper has to be pulledall the way back beyondthe BugLock ® patch

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

Protecting the Encasement

Felt padding can be used to help protect the encasement from protrusions and rough edges.

Example of mattress pads being placed over encasement.

Vacuum up Bed Bugs

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Eliminate Clutter

Do Not Store Items Under Beds

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Hot Wash & Hot Launder All Infested Items

Do Not Move Tenant To Another Room

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Think 3-dimensionally

Think 3D, Outside the Box.

Treatment Methods

Inspection

BEFORE

AFTER

Apartment

Initial: Many

F-U 1: 29

F-U 2: 4

F-U 3: 4

F-U 4: 0

F-U 5: 0

Kitchen

Den Living

Bedroom 1

Bath

Bedroom 2

BathCloset Closet

Treatment Methods

Mattress Headboard & Wall Mounts

Box Spring

Bed Frame Linens & Bed Skirts

Possible Primary Harborages

Treatment Methods

Carpet & Baseboards TableDresser

Chair

Possible Secondary Harborages

Treatment Methods

Light Switches & Outlets

Back of Picture FrameCeiling

Smoke Detector Electronics

Possible Primary Harborages

Treatment Methods

Vacuum, Steam & Heat Guns

Treatment Methods

Insecticides

Detection Methods

Traps

Detection Methods

Traps

Results from Dr. Wang’s Research at Rutgers University.

Conclusion

Bed Bug Control is a Team Effort Can Take Between 3-5 Visits to Achieve

Control 100% Guarantee of Elimination is Not

Possible Bed Bugs Can Be Re-Introduced Anytime Proactive Measures and Ongoing

Inspections Are Key To The Success of Any Bed Bug Management Plan.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!