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Some facts about bed bugs

Over the last few years, bed bugs have made a resurgence and are now becoming a significant problem in the United States, especially in common living areas such as hotels and apartment complexes. It is estimated that nearly 25 perecent of all hotels (high or low end) have bed bugs in at least one of their rooms. Although we have not had any problems in our campus dormitories, other colleges and universities have had bed bug infestations. Consequently, we must remain vigilant and take the proper steps and precautions to minimize the risk. Maintaining good sanitation in a home or other dwelling is not a preventative factor, however, it is much easier to address the problem in an uncluttered environment.

Bed bugs are semi-transparent in color to reddish brown and range in size from a 1/16 to 1/4 inch in length. Pictures of the various stages of bed bugs and other information can be found at: http://bedbugger.com/photos-of-bed-bugs-and-signs-of-bed-bugs/. Bed bugs bite humans as they are sleeping and feed on their blood leaving sometimes a scratchy mark on your skin. A bed bug can live nearly a year without feeding and hide during the day in mattress and box spring crevices and also throughout a dwelling such as under baseboards, in crevices of other furniture, behind wall hangings, and inside thermostat housings.

The good news is there is no evidence to date that bed bugs spread disease. To help prevent or minimize the risk of bed bugs in dwellings :

• Be very careful about buying or being given used furniture, especially mattresses and box springs. If you do, make yourself familiar what signs of bed bugs look like on this furniture and look it over very thoroughly before you take it.

• Be on the lookout when you travel, especially if you stay in hotels, motels or other multi-dwelling units. Bed bugs are great hitchhikers and will move into your personal belongings such as suitcases and clothing. If you suspect or know a room you are in a room or dwelling that has bed bugs, leave as soon as possible and check over your belongings very carefully before you bring them back to your own dwelling. If you find them in your suitcase, clean and vacuum it and wash your cloths in hot water and dry them with high heat for at least 30 minutes.

• If you suspect you have bed bugs, call a Pest Control company ASAP. Do not remove bedding and other furniture from your dwelling until a pest control technician inspects and talks with you. There are treatments available but bed bugs are not easy to eradicate and you will need a professional with experience . The longer you wait, the harder it will be to address the problem.

• The University has its own in-house Pest Control Unit that works out of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. Questions can be directed to the manager at (585) 275-8405.