Sleep Tight — Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite!Bed bugs have been around about as long as humans have been around. Where humans

have traveled, bed bugs have followed. Bed bugs were very common in America until the 1950s, when they were almost eradicated with the liberal use of DDT and increased hygiene standards. They have

been largely absent from our homes and beds since then. Until the last few years, that is…Bed bug populations have exploded across the U.S. in the last few years. Yes, cases have been reported in Alaska too.

Part of the reason bed bugs are doing so well is that they are great hitchhikers and excellent at hiding. Although they are not known to transmit diseases to humans, they certainly can cause mental distress!

How do you prevent bed bugs from invading your home? Bed bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of once you have them. Prevention is key! In order for bed bugs to get inside your home, they must hitchhike their way in, usually on used furniture, used clothing or travelers.

•Used clothing and plush toys: - Make sure the clothing and/or toys are sealed in a strong plastic bag. Unpack the items straight into a dryer and throw the plastic bag away! Dry the items on high heat for 30 minutes. This should kill any bed bugs and their eggs.

•Used furniture: The best advice is do not take it! - Inspect the furniture or mattress thoroughly with a bright flashlight. If there is any doubt about it having bed bugs, do not take it! Thorough-ly cleaning and vacuuming can help remove some bed bugs that may be hiding. If you can, put it in an encasement designed for bed bugs. Leave the encasement on for at least one year.

•In hotels: - Inspect the mattress seams, pillow seams, bed frame and the head board. If you see evidence of bed bugs, report it to the manager and request another room.

- Do not put your bags on the spare bed. Inspect the luggage stand for bed bugs, then keep your bags on the luggage stand, away from the bed or walls. If you must unpack your bags, use the closet instead of the drawers. Do not put your shoes under the bed or in the closet.

•If you are nervous about bed bugs after traveling: - As soon as you get home, take the clothing straight from your luggage and put it into a dry-er. Immediately dry all clothing on high heat for 30 minutes — and the luggage if you can!

- Inspect your luggage carefully with a bright flashlight. If you see signs of bedbugs, scrub-bing with soapy water may help dislodge them. Thoroughly vacuum afterwards and remember to throw out the vacuum contents immediately.

How do you SAFELY get rid of them?Bed bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of once you have them. It is possible, but it takes thorough and consistent effort!

1. First, make sure what you have really are bed bugs! Find them and put them in a sealed plas-tic bag or a jar. Contact an experienced and qualified pest management company, your lo-cal Office of Environmental Health or the UAF Cooperative Extension Service for positive identification.

2. If it really is a bed bug and you have access to a qualified and experienced pest management company, use them. If not, try the following.•Remove clutter! Though bed bugs are not a sign of uncleanliness, the

goal is to eliminate their hiding places. Get rid of piles of clothes, bed-ding, papers, etc. Also seal cracks and crevices in the floors and walls.

•Frequent and thorough vacuuming will help remove some bed bugs. Remember to throw out the infested vacuum contents immediately.

•Use pesticide-free bed bug monitors/interceptors.•Use bed bug encasements for your mattress, pillows, box springs,

couch and sofa chairs. Leave these encasements in place for at least one year.

•Physically scrub any other potential hiding place with soapy water to help dislodge bed bugs, making it easier to vacuum them up.

•Extreme cold may be a useful tool in eliminating bedbugs; research is ongoing.

UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Office of Environmental Health

www.uaf.edu/ces • 877-520-5211UAF is an AA/EO employer and educational institution.

Pesticides:Most over-the-counter pesticides simply do not work well for bed bugs and they are dangerous if used incorrectly. Bed bugs are resistant to many different pesticides, so using a spray can of pesticide to smash them may be more effective than using the spray itself!

For guidance on safe and practical pesticide use, contact your local Office of Environmental Health, the UAF Cooperative Extension Service or the State of Alaska’s Pesticide Control Program for further assistance.

Bed Bugs are in Alaska! Keep them out of your bed and your community!

What do bed bugs look like?Bed bugs are small, crawling insects that cannot fly or jump; they feed exclusively on blood. The adults are about the size of an apple seed.

Where do bed bugs live?They will hide in mattresses and box springs, couches and chairs across from the TV, clothes, books and magazines, and the cracks and crevices of walls or floors. They will usually wait until night to leave their hiding places to find their blood meal. Some people will have a reaction to bed bug bites, which are similar to mosquito bites or a rash and can take several days to appear. Other people do not react at all. When you are looking for bed bugs, use a good flash-light and patience. Look along the seams of mattresses or couch cush-ions, inside pillow cases, the crevices of your box springs or bed frame, and in bedding.

Dini M. Miller, PhD, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech