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| The Compelte Guide to Bed Bugs and Their Control |
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Introduction
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Created by Richard Cooper, who is regarded as one of the industry's top experts on bed bugs, Bed Bugs 101 is your premier online resource for bed bug information. Bed Bugs 101 was created as an educational tool, to share our knowledge, research findings, and other important bed bug information with the public. Our goal is to create public awareness for an insect that is easily overlooked. Bed bugs are a world-wide epidemic, and knowledge and public awareness are the best weapons we have against them.
By selecting a topic above, you can learn about all of the different aspects of bed bugs, their control, and ultimately how to protect yourself and your home from an infestation. Bed Bugs 101 is available as an Online Resource, but you may also click the "Printer Friendly Version" link to print out the entire document. There is also a downloadable PDF available (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required). |
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History & Resurgence
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KEY POINTS:
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
Bed bugs were a common problem in the United States up throuhg the World War II era. Around this time, they were virtually eradicated from the US with the wide scale usage of pesticides, such as DDT and Malathion. During the late 1990's bed bugs began to re-emerge as a pest in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, along with a number of other countries. Their secretive behavior, coupled with a lack of public awareness, has enabled this insect to move very efficiently from one dwelling to another an dhas facilitated their rapid dispersal.
While no one can say for certain what caused the resurgence of bed bugs in the United States, there are a number of factors that have probably influenced the emergence of this difficult pest. Bed bugs have increased on a world-wide basis over the past decade. With increased international bed bug activity, it is likely that the frequency that these insects are encountered during travel has also increased and as a result they are being introduced into the US much more frequently than in the past. Most of the early introductions did in fact appear to be associated with travel as many of the infestations were associated with hotel guest rooms in the late 1990’s.
Changes in pest management practices and the development of resistance to modern day pesticides may have been the catalyst that enabled bed bugs to survive and go on to develop infestations which may have not been able to establish in years past. In the past, hotel guest rooms were typically treated on a regular basis with residual pesticides. During the mid 1990's there was a dramatic shift in pest management practices. Routinely scheduled treatments of baseboards in hotels, motels and apartments were replaced with very targeted applications of baits for pests such as cockroaches. The implications of this are that when baseboards were being treated regularly, a few bed bugs that may have been introduced by the international traveler were likely to contact pesticide as they left the luggage and traveled to the bed. Today, with the absence of these pesticides, as these same bugs are introduced from abroad, they are able to travel freely and safely from the luggage to the bed and successfully begin an infestation. It is very likely that this factor has played a role in the bed bug's ability to become re-established in the United States.
One thing that is certain is that bed bugs are excellent hitch hikers and once they are introduced into an environment they are able to readily spread from infested locations to new locations that were previously un-infested. All one needs to do is to spend a night in a bed bug infested environment and there is chance that they will take at least one bug with them to their next destination. Now that bed bugs are well situated in the country they are not only being introduced from foreign countries but are disseminating at a rapid rate within our country from well established populations. Dispersal mechanisms within the country include the purchase of rental furniture, used/second hand furniture, reconditioned mattresses and infested delivery vehicles just to name a few. Because bed bugs have the ability to survive for many months without a blood meal they are able to hide in the cracks of furniture for long periods of time until someone comes along and purchases it for their home.
But perhaps the most significant factor that has enabled bed bugs to spread throughout the US at an exponential rate is the lack of public awareness. Many people simply don't believe or realize that bed bugs truly exist. As a result people do not think twice before picking up discarded furniture that is infested with bed bugs and bringing them into their home. Once the bugs are introduced into the new structure, their secretive and cryptic lifestyle renders them undetected for several months or more in many cases. Often it is not until the infestation becomes overpopulated that a live bug is actually seen. So very often the bites are occurring, but the individual has no idea what is causing them. Eventually many of the affected individuals will seek medical attention, but the connection between the bites and the bugs is not always made by the medical professional. In many cases bed bug bites are mistaken for scabies, chicken pox, dermatological reactions, etc. Medical professionals in major metropolitan areas are becoming more aware of this issue and there are fewer misdiagnoses. However the further away you get from areas where bed bugs are very prevalent, the more common misdiagnoses are. All of these factors enable bed bugs to increase in number for weeks or months before being detected. As a result the bed bug population is able to become well established and is enabled to hitch hike a ride with hotel guests, spread to adjoining rooms or apartments. |
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Identification
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KEY POINTS:
• Eggs are pearly white and & only 1mm in length
• First stage immature bed bugs are only 1mm in length
• First stage immatures are pale in color and are somewhat translucent
• Immature bugs go through five developmental stages becoming larger with each stage
• Adult bed bugs are approximately 1/4” in length and are reddish-brown in color
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Bed Bug Eggs
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Immature Bed Bugs (start out 1 mm in length
and get larger with each developemnetal stage
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Adult Bed Bug ~ 1/4 "
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What do Bed Bugs look like? Adults are small, brownish insects, just under a 1/4” long and are relatively flat. They are nearly as wide as they are long, and oval in shape. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are much smaller and lighter in color. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent and are no bigger than a pinhead (1 mm). After feeding on a blood meal the immature bed bugs may appear bright red in color. Bed bugs lack wings and therefore they do not fly, but they are capable of moving swiftly on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. The eggs are very small (approximately 1mm), whitish, and very difficult to see on most surfaces without magnification (individual eggs are about the size of a dust speck).
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Biology & Behavior
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KEY POINTS:
• Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feed exclusively on blood
• Adult females can lay 1-5 eggs per day
• Eggs hatch approximately 7-10 days after being deposited by the female
• Development from egg hatch to adult takes approximately 1 ½ -2 months but can take longer depending upon environmental conditions and food availability
• Individual bed bugs do not seek a blood meal everyday and may go several days to a week or more between blood meals.
• Bed bugs are believed to be mostly inactive between blood meals, hiding in their secretive resting places
• Bed bugs are not limited to the bed or the bedroom but instead will disperse throughout a dwelling
• Bed bugs are very resilient and easily survive for several months or more without a blood meal
Bed bugs belong to the family of insects known as Cimicidae. All members of this family of insects feed exclusively on blood which they require in order to develop and reproduce. There are a number of closely related species in this family that feed on birds, bats and other animals. However, the species most adapted to living with humans is the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, which is found world wide. The immature bugs go through five developmental stages before reaching maturity. A blood meal is required between each stage. As the immature bed bugs develop they continue to become larger and darker until reaching adulthood. Under favorable conditions (70-90°F), bed bugs can complete development (from egg to adult) in one – two months. Cool temperatures or limited access to a blood meal may extend the development time. Adults will typically live for just under a year. The adult females typically deposit up to 5 eggs per day depositing them in a wide variety of locations, both on and away from the bed. An adult female may lay up to 500 eggs during her lifetime.
Bed bugs are nocturnal insects and lead a very cryptic lifestyle. As a result, bed bugs are often present for weeks or even months before a single bug is ever seen by the occupants of an infested structure. They live in cracks and crevices associated with bed frames, head boards, mattresses and box springs. However they also will disperse away from the bed and can live between or beneath floorboards, carpeting, under decorative moldings, in or under furniture, behind picture frames, inside wall voids, etc. There is virtually no crack too small for this insect to occupy. It is from these secluded cracks and crevices that the bugs emerge during the nighttime hours to feed on their sleeping host. The bites are typically painless and go undetected.
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Bed Bugs in Crevice of Furniture
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Eggs glued to felt pad
on back of picture frame
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Natural crevice in pine slat
inside box spring (eggs, adults
and nymphs located in crevice)
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Bed bugs differ from many other blood feeding pests such as mosquitoes, fleas, etc. in that both adult males and females, as well as all of the immature stages, feed on blood. Once they have fed they return back to their hidden resting places. In the absence of a host, bed bugs can continue to survive for many months without a blood meal. In fact it has been reported that in some cases bed bugs can survive a year or more without feeding.
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Sanitation
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KEY POINTS:
• Bed bugs are not caused by poor sanitation or ones 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.
The thought that bed bugs are the result of poor sanitation and/or poverty is a big misconception. Bed bugs do not discriminate based on one’s social status or the cleanliness of their home. The fact is that cleanliness has nothing to do with getting bed bugs. Bed bug infestations can occur in the most expensive hotels, multi-million dollar estates as well as homeless shelters and everything in between regardless of the existing sanitary conditions. In order for a bed bug infestation to begin they must be introduced by bringing bugs from an infested environment and introducing them to a previously un-infested one. Some examples include staying in a bed bug infested environment, having a guest visit that brings bugs with them, purchasing an item or accepting delivery of an item that has bugs or eggs on it. As a result, bed bug infestations can affect anyone, anywhere, and are occurring in hotels, apartments, single family homes, upscale commercial office buildings, school classrooms, laundromats, public transportation and the list goes on and on.
While sanitation may not have anything to do with the onset of an infestation, it can have a tremendous impact on the ability to control or eliminate an infestation. Crowded and cluttered living conditions are one of the more challenging obstacles to overcome in an eradication effort. Bed bugs hide and lay their eggs virtually everywhere. As a result clutter provides an unlimited number of areas where bed bugs can harbor and remain well-protected from control efforts.
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Clutter can provide an unlimited number of hiding places for bugs to hide.
Bugs and eggs amongst clutter cannot be readily treated with
conventional pesticides creating a real obstacle to control.
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Disease & Bite Symptoms
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KEY POINTS:
• Bed bugs have not been demonstrated to be effective transmitters of disease
• 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
Although over 28 disease pathogens have been found in bed bugs, transmission of these pathogens to humans has never been documented and is considered highly unlikely. For this reason, they are not considered a serious disease threat. Their medical significance is mainly limited to the itching and inflammation associated with their bite. Not everyone reacts to bed bites in the same fashion, some people have reactions that are delayed for several days or more while others do not react at all. Reactions to bites can also vary significantly between individuals from a mild itchy welt to a more severe rash like symptom. The most common reactions appear as a raised reddened welt similar to a mosquito bite. Bites tend to be very itchy and often appear in rows of 3-4 welts or more. There are currently a couple of explanations for why bites often appear in rows. The first explanation is based on the sensitivity of bed bugs to motion. A single bug may withdraw its mouthparts while feeding in response to the slightest disturbance (i.e. person twitches during sleep). After removing their mouthparts, the bug will move a short distance and then begin feeding again, resulting in several bites in a row caused by a single bug. The second explanation involves numerous bugs that are lined up one next to the other (typically along a fold in a bed sheet) all feeding at the same time, similar to cattle at a trough. The important point is that number of welts does not always correlate with the number of bugs that bit the individual. Thus just a few bugs can be responsible for many welts in a single evening.
It is also very important to realize that bed bugs cannot be diagnosed by the bite alone. While a medical professional can examine the bites, they can only conclude that the bite symptoms are consistent with those produced by bed bugs. This is not a confirmation however it does provide the grounds for suspecting that bed bugs may be present and that a professional should be called in to perform an inspection for the presence of bed bugs in the structure where the bites occurred.
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Bite symptoms can be very variable among different individuals.
It is not uncommon for bites to occur in multiples, often in a row or line.
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Avoiding Infestations
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KEY POINTS:
• Know when you are most at risk to encounter bed bugs
• Encase mattresses and box springs
• Become familiar with what to look for (know the signs & symptoms of bed bugs)
• Travel intelligently
• Contact a professional to conduct an inspection if you suspect bed bugs
The more aware you are of bed bugs and what to look for the less likely you are to expose yourself to an infestation. It is important to remember that in order for a new infestation to become established, bed bugs must first be introduced into the previously un-infested environment. As a result, your risk of encountering and potentially introducing bed bugs increases when you travel, when children return from camps, boarding schools or college, when you have overnight guests, if you purchase used or second hand items, or have items such as furniture or bedding delivered etc.
Early detection is among the most important ways that you can protect yourself from having an introduction of bed bugs turn into a nightmare that is difficult and costly to eliminate. The use of mattress and box spring encasements is one of the most economical and useful tools that can aid in the early detection of bed bugs. It is very important that the encasements have been specifically designed for bed bugs and have been scientifically tested to demonstrate their effectiveness. The most effective encasement that we have examined is the Bug Lock® encasement. By encasing mattresses, any bed bugs that may be introduced, are restricted to the exterior of the encasements where they can be readily detected through a good visual inspection. In addition, mattress and box spring encasements can also prevent the infestation of the mattress and box spring should bed bugs be introduced.
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Mattress encasments can be used proactively to prevent the
mattress & box springfrom becoming infested if bed bugs are introduced as well as
aid in the early detection of bed bugsby restricting their activity to the exterior of the
encasment where they can be readily detected and dealt with.
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It is also very important to become familiar with the signs the bed bugs leave behind so that you know what to look for when conducting an inspection. In addition to being familiar with what the bugs look like you should also know how to recognize other key indicators that may be present. First it is important to realize that rarely will you see red blood stains unless a bed bug is smashed while it still has an undigested blood meal in its body (similar to squashing a mosquito while it is still full of blood). Instead of red blood spots being left behind, the bed bugs feed on their victim, digest the blood and leave behind fecal material that is dark, almost black in color and appears as small spots. Evidence of black spots or stains that are slightly raised and have a rough texture is characteristic evidence of bed bug activity. You also want to be familiar with the shed skins that bed bugs leave behind as they go from one immature stage to the next (similar to how a snake sheds its skin).
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Bed bug engorged with blood.
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Blood smears/spotting are rarely red stains like this. This only happens if an engorged bug is crushed.
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Evidence fo bed bug "spotting" is much more commonly seen as dark/black stains or smears from the digested blood that is exreted as a dark liquid.
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Shed skins (exoskeletons) of immature bugs as they develope from one stage to the next is another.
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It is wise to be on the look out for bite symptoms and to conduct inspections in the weeks and months following an event that may have exposed you to bed bugs. For example, for several months upon returning from an overnight trip it is a good idea to periodically inspect (at least once every few weeks) your bed and upholstered furniture. As mentioned above, bed bugs often go undetected for several months until their populations become larger and they eventually emerge in areas where they are more easily detected.
Travel and the purchase of used or second hand furniture and/or bedding are still among the most likely ways to introduce bed bugs. It is far easier to avoid purchasing used items than it is to eliminate travel. However there are many steps that can be taken during travel to minimize the likelihood of staying in a bed bug infested environment or bringing bed bugs home with you. (Also see section titled - Protect Yourself When Traveling )
If at any time you have reason to believe that you are experiencing a problem with bed bugs it is very important that you act swiftly and contact a pest management professional to conduct a thorough inspection and evaluate the situation. Bed bugs are extremely difficult to control especially if they are not caught during the early stages of the infestation.
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Early Detection
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KEY POINTS:
• Early detection of bed bugs is difficult and low level infestations will often go undetected.
• There are no 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
• Canine scent detection is emerging as another inspection method that can aid in the early detection of bed bugs (learn more)
• Mattress and box spring encasements can be very helpful in the early detection of bed bugs (learn more)
The early detection of bed bugs is very difficult. In many cases bed bugs will go undetected during an inspection particularly during the early stages of an infestation when only a few bugs or eggs are present.
Even the most qualified inspector will be challenged when the entire infestation consists of two eggs that were laid on a piece of luggage and hitch hiked a ride back to your house after a recent.
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Two eggs along the zipper can be
difficult to find (click to enlarge
image to see eggs)
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Shed skins & eggs on the shoulder of
a sofa can be difficult to see
(click to enlarge image to see eggs)
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Shed skin live nymph and egg on
suitcase (click to enlarge )
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The installation of bed bug specific monitors or early detection devices would be extremely helpful but no such devices exist at the current time. Insect sticky traps/glue boards are often placed out in an effort to catch bed bugs and while these traps will capture some, they are not reliable monitoring devices since any bugs caught on them were by chance and the monitors should not be used as the basis for concluding that an area is free of bed bugs.
The use of mattress and box spring encasements that have been specifically designed and tested for with bed bugs may be one of the easiest things you can do to help detect the presence of bed bugs. The reason that encasements are so helpful is because your mattress and box spring have many hiding places for bed bugs making inspection time consuming and difficult. Without an encasement, evidence of bed bugs is often buried deep inside your mattress and box spring, and can be almost impossible to find. However by encasing the mattress and box spring the bug’s access is restricted to the smooth exterior of the encasement where signs of bed bugs, such as spotting and shed skins or the bugs themselves are readily detected during an inspection. Early detection of bed bugs is often complicated when the bugs are occupying areas inside the box spring or under folds on the mattress where they are easily missed. However by encasing the mattress and box spring the bug’s access is restricted to the smooth exterior of the encasement where they are much more readily detected during an inspection. An additional benefit is realized as the encasements prevent the subsequent infestation of the mattress and box spring. (See Also - Mattress and Box Spring Encasements )
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Inspections to find bugs on mattresses and box springs can be very
difficult and time consuming
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Inspection of encased beds can be done easily, a s
bugs are restricted to the exterior of the
encasement where they can be quickly spotted and
dealt with.
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Canine scent detection is another method that can be employed to detect bed bugs. The advantage of using specially trained dogs to detect bed bugs is that they detect the infestation through their sense of smell rather than relying on visual detection. Canine scent detection also has its limitations and dogs, just like humans, can miss a low level infestation if the scent is not available to them. The take home message is that regardless of the methods used, low level infestations can go undetected and thus just because an inspection fails to reveal an infestation does not mean that they are not there. (See also - Canine Scent Detection for Bed Bugs ) |
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Protect Yourself When You Travel
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There are many steps that can be taken when traveling to reduce the likelihood of staying in a bed bug infested environment and infesting your home when you return from your travels. Preventive measures begin with the type of luggage you have, how you pack, what you do when you arrive at your destination, as well as the steps you take when you return home. The extent to which you try to prevent an unanticipated encounter with bed bugs is directly related to the level of concern you have and how much your are willing to be inconvenienced in order to protect. Due to the extensive nature of this subject, this webpage does not go into the exhaustive detail necessary to cover all of the measures that an individual can take to protect themselves while traveling. Cooper Pest Solutions has created a very affordable travel guide that goes into extensive detail regarding how to protect yourself from bed bugs when traveling. For a comprehensive explanation of the measure that can be taken, the guide is available here - Cooper’s Travel Guide to Bed Bugs
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Elimination of Infestations
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Can bed bugs ever be eliminated once they infest an environment? The simple answer is yes, it is possible to eliminate a bed bug infestation in most situations particularly if the bed bugs are detected shortly after they have been introduced into the environment and client cooperation is not an issue. The longer the bed bugs exist without being detected, the greater their opportunity to disperse within the environment, thus making it harder to find and eliminate 100% of the reproducing adult females. Another factor which plays a major role in how readily a bed bug infestation can be eliminated is the amount of available harborages for bed bugs to use as a safe haven from control efforts. Crowded and/or cluttered conditions, as well poorly sealed baseboards, chair and/or crown moldings, window frames, door frames, paneled walls, etc. offer an environment with virtually unlimited harborages. There are also situations, where bed bugs are coming from a connected structure (i.e. row homes, condominiums, etc) that is under ownership by another party and is not being treated. In situations such as these, elimination may not be possible until a cooperative effort is achieved.
In many cases two or three services may be all that is necessary to eliminate the problem. However, there are also many cases that require a greater number of visits before the problem is resolved. Finally, there are some infestations where it can be difficult if not impossible to achieve 100% elimination.
Regardless of how severe the infestation or how complex the environment, there is one way that bed bug infestations can be eliminated with absolute certainty. Structural fumigations, while an extreme and costly method, will effectively eliminate bed bugs from an infested environment. Structural fumigations are often confused with fogging applications but are in fact very different. Fogging applications or "bombing", as it is often referred to, typically involves the application of a natural pyrethrin and requires that the area being treated be vacated for one to several hours. The process of structural fumigation on the other hand, typically involves tarping the entire structure, and vacating it for several days while a fumigant gas is released into the tented structure. These types of applications are common in the Southern United states and on the West Coast for the control of drywood termites. Structural fumigations are an extremely expensive approach and may not be practical or even possible in many situations. In many parts of the country, it may be difficult to locate a pest management firm that is licensed in fumigation services. Thus while this technique will guarantee elimination of the existing infestation, in most cases it is not likely to be economically practical or feasible. Structural fumigations may not be available in all parts of the country and may be restricted by regulatory agencies in some states.
To better understand what is involved in a true structural fumigation, the following website details the process for structural fumigation for the control of dry wood termites. This will give you a very good understanding of this type of control measure.
http://www.utoronto.ca/forest/termite/fumigation.htm |
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Mattress and Box Spring Encasements
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KEY POINTS:
• 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
The use of encasements is discussed throughout this web page due to the important role that they play in a bed bug management program. BugLock® encasements, manufactured by Protect-A-Bed of Chicago were the first encasements to become commercially available that were specifically designed for bed bugs. The BugLock® encasements were also the first encasement to be backed by scientific data, proving their effectiveness against bed bugs. Scientifically proven encasements can be used as an early detection tool as well as a reactionary measure for trapping bed bugs and preventing the future re-infestation of beds.
Proactive Use of Encasements
As discussed in other sections of this web page, encasements can be used in a proactive manner before a bed bug infestation ever begins. Encasement of mattresses and box springs will greatly aid in the early detection of bed bugs and can prevent the infestation of beds in the event that bed bugs are somehow introduced. Once encased, bed bugs are unable to get inside of the encased mattresses and box springs. With their movement restricted to the smooth outer surface of the encasement, they are exposed and can be readily detected during a visual inspection. In addition, while they may be able to rest on the outer surface of the encasement they are unable to infest the interior of the mattress or the box spring.
Reactive Use of Encasements
Encasements also play a very important role in helping to eliminate bed bug infestations. The majority of bed bugs are typically associated with the mattresses and box springs. Eliminating them from these areas is very time consuming as well as challenging not to mention that in most cases the beds simply becomes re-infested as bugs migrate from other parts of the structure to the bed in search of a blood meal. Encasements are a very simple and highly effective method for dealing with the bed bugs that are associated with beds by trapping bugs inside and preventing migrating bugs from re-infesting the mattresses and box springs. The use of encasements also increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the follow up visits by taking the complexity of the bed out of the equation. Follow up visits simply involve inspection of the smooth surface of the encasements rather than having to carefully examine all of the wooden framework, coils, padding, or piping associated with the mattress and box spring.
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It is difficult and time consuming to inspect & deal with bugs and eggs inside of box
springs and the edges of mattresses
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An effective Encasesment 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.
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Finding an Effective Encasement
There are many encasements available in the marketplace, but most will simply not work effectively against bed bugs. The first truly effective bed bug encasement on the marketplace is the BugLock® encasement, manufactured by Protect-A-Bed of Chicago which has been shown through rigorous scientific tests to be completely escape proof and bite proof (see executive summary of research). It is strongly suggested that you only use encasements that have strong scientific data backing the claims for use with bed bugs. It is our opinion that using an unproven encasement may be worse than not encasing the bed at all. Unproven encasements may provide a false sense of security and can actually protect or promote the survival of the bed bugs.
In order for an encasement to be effective it must be both bite proof, meaning that the bugs cannot feed through the material, and escape proof, meaning that the bugs cannot get in or out of the encasement after it has been installed. However, unless the encasements have been specifically designed for bed bugs it is very unlikely that they will be both bite proof and escape proof. ( see article: Just Encase)
We have worked very closely with Protect-A-Bed of Chicago setting out to design the first effective encasement for bed bugs. During the development, different types of materials were examined and it was determined that there are some fabrics that bed bugs could actually feed through.
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Testing of a fabric that bed bugs can feed through
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We also learned that the type of zipper used to manufacture the encasement is critical. In tests, immature bed bugs were able to escape the confines of the encasement by weaving their way through the teeth of a closed zipper (when larger zippers were used).
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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.
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Perhaps the area where most encasements fail is at the zipper end stop (area where the zipper comes to its final resting position when fully closed). Most zipper end stops that were examined left large gaps when the zipper was pulled closed.
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An efffective encasement should seal
completely at the zipper end stop.
Not all end stops have a complete
seal that is escape proof.
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Close up shows that there is a gap
at the very end of zipper that will
enable bed bugs to escape even
when the zipper is pulled closed.
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Some of the zippers examined closed tightly enough to prevent the entry or escape of bed bugs when pulled completely shut, but if the zipper backed off even a tooth or two, an opening large enough for bugs to get in and out of the encasement was created.
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This particular encasement is
escape proof when the zipper
is pulled completely shut
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If the zipper pulls back, a large
enough gap is created to allow bed
bugs to enter and exit the encasement
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A secure end stop is the area where the BugLock® encasement is superior to any of the other encasements that we have examined. The Bug Lock® feature secures the zipper end stop, making it impossible for bed bugs to enter or escape. A foam pad beneath the zipper end stop completely secures this area. In fact, the seal is so complete that during the efficacy testing of the encasement the zipper had to be pulled back beyond the end of the BugLock® feature to enable bugs to escape.
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Example of BugLock ® Zipper End Stop
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Sealed BugLock ® Encasement
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Even with zipper pulled back
an escape proof seal still exists
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In order for bugs to escape
the zipper has to be pulled
all the way back beyond
the BugLock ® patch
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Protecting the Encasement
Encasements should not be removed once they are installed. Instead they should be viewed as the new exterior surface of the mattress or box spring. Fitted sheets or mattress pads that can be laundered can be used to protect the encasements from staining. It is also important to recognize that the encasements are only effective as long as they are not compromised in any way (ripped, worn or torn). The area where encasements are most vulnerable to becoming compromised is where the box spring rubs against the bed frame. Some bed frames have sharp edges, bolts or other protrusions that when rubbed against may damage the encasement. One way to provide additional protection of the box spring encasement is to install additional padding (i.e. felt pads) in areas that are potentially damaging to the encasement. We have recently begun experimenting with felt pads with an adhesive backing that helps pad the encasement without creating a new harborage for bed bugs to hide behind.
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Felt padding can be used to help protect the encasement from protrusions and rough edges.
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Example of mattress pads being placed over encasement.
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Canine Scent Detection
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KEY POINTS:
• Canine scent detection can be an effective inspection method
• Dogs, just like humans, are not perfect and thus are not 100% reliable
• Many factors need to be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of a canine scent detection service for bed bugs
| Note: Cooper Pest Solutions has worked very closely with J&K Canine Academy in the development of bed bug sniffing dogs. Pepe Peruyero, President of J&K Canine Academy, is one of the country's top canine scent detection trainers and has worked extensively with the Entomology Department at the University of Florida in validating the use of canine scent detection for the detection of termites and is currently involved in similar research with bed bugs. It is through our experience with J&K Canine Academy and the researches at the University of Florida that we have developed many of the opinions expressed on the subject of canine scent detection for bed bugs. For more information on J&K Canine Academy you can visit their website http://www.jkk9.com/. |
Dogs have been used very effectively for the detection of a wide variety of things which include but are not limited to drugs, bombs, fugitives, cadavers, mold, and termites. So why not bed bugs? There would seem to be no reason, and canine scent detection for bed bugs is already available.
A number of scent detection companies have emerged offering canine scent detection of bed bugs. While we are advocates of canine scent detection, it is also our opinion that the current scent detection offerings have limitations. If you are considering a scent detection company you should consider the following:
• How frequently do the dogs have false positive alerts (this means that the dog alerts to the presence of bedbugs in situations where bedbugs are not present).
• How often (what percent of time) do dogs fail to find bed bugs?
You will want to carefully look at the claims of the company you are considering and determine what type of research has been done to validate their claims on the performance of the dogs. While the use of canine scent detection is both an exciting and promising method for the early detection of bed bugs, it is still an evolving technique and you should exercise caution when considering this method of detection to ensure that the detection service that you select is capable of delivering the level of service that you expect.
Canine scent detection can be very effective but it is important to realize that every bed bug detection dog and handler team is different from the next and you need to find out exactly what you can expect from the team that is performing the inspection. A well-trained bed bug detection dog should be able to identify very small numbers of live bed bugs, sometimes as few as one. Additionally, the dogs should be able to discriminate live bugs and viable eggs from evidence left over from an old infestation (fecal spotting, caste skins, empty egg shells, carcasses). Unless they are able to do this, it becomes much more difficult to distinguish between active and old infestations.
Some trainers cross train dogs to detect multiple scents which may make it difficult to interpret a dog’s alerts. How do you know whether the dog is alerting on the scent of mold or of bed bugs if it has been trained to detect both?
Like any other inspection tool, scent detection has shortcomings and is not always definitive. Scent dogs depend on their noses, so their “inspection” is limited by what they can smell. Sometimes, bed bugs can be present but the odor is simply not available to the dog. The reasons for this vary, but the three most significant factors include the location of the bugs, air flow, and temperature.
If bed bugs are located well above the dog’s head, and the air flow is pulling the scent upwards, the dog may not alert. Therefore, it is entirely possible for bed bugs to be in plain view high up on the wall or along the ceiling and not be detected by the dog. It is this type of “failure” that causes some to doubt the utility of scent-detection dogs.
However, there are just as many situations where the dog will alert on bed bugs that are difficult or unlikely for an inspector to find: an outlet with a bug or two behind it, a baseboard that has a few bugs behind it, or eggs hidden along a carpet tack strip. A scent-detection dog can go under a bed and alert on bugs inside the box spring without an inspector having to take the mattress and box spring off. The dogs can alert to bed bugs behind a heavy entertainment center without anyone having to move it, and can detect bed bugs or their eggs in a pile of clothing or a toy box full of stuffed animals.
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Dog going under a bed
during an inspection
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Dog alerting on scent of
bugs associated with bed
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Dog alerting on the scent of
bed bugs associated with a desk
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Dog picking up scent of
bed bugs in a book case
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What should be your response when the dog alerts? You have a choice to make, you can either put all of your trust in the dog’s ability or you can try and confirm the presence of live bugs or viable eggs in the area that the dog indicated. If you are going to inspect the areas to confirm the dog’s findings you will need to remove the mattress and box spring, take off the outlet switch, pull up the carpet, remove the baseboard, empty and move the entertainment center, and go through the pile of clothing and stuffed animals where the dog alerted. This can be done but obviously this adds time and money to the inspection and there is no guarantee that you will be able to find the bug(s) or egg(s) that the dog alerted on. If the evidence is inaccessible, or you simply fail to see it, you will not be able to visually confirm the alert. Also, the dog is alerting on a “scent picture,” and while it will often be right where the bugs or eggs are, there is also the possibility that it is not. Scent travels with air, sometimes for significant distances.
A multiple-dog approach can help overcome some of these issues and often adds the level of certainty needed for both the handler as well as the contracting party. For example, if the first dog alerts, indicating that bed bugs are present, then a second dog is brought in to inspect the area and to see if it, too, alerts in the same vicinity as the first dog. Still, you must decide what you are going to do with this information. One option is to say that a double positive indication is viewed as a confirmation that bugs are present. A mixed result, one dog alerts and the second does not, could be viewed as reason to perform a visual inspection in an effort to find bugs or eggs. If visual inspection fails to reveal evidence of a live infestation, you must decide whether or not you are going to trust the first dog.
Bed bug scent detection is not perfect. The contracting parties should agree in advance as to what methods will be used and how the information will be interpreted. Questions to be considered include the following:
• Will they rely on the dog’s detection alone?
• Do they want a second dog for confirmation purposes?
• What if there are mixed results between multiple dogs?
• What circumstances will mandate a detailed visual inspection to confirm the dog’s alert?
• How to handle situations where the presence of bed bugs could not be confirmed through visual inspection?
Nevertheless, scent detection adds a whole new dimension to the inspection. Bugs that might escape visual detection by a human may be detected by a bed bug sniffing dog and vice versa. Look at it this way: Bed bugs can be so difficult to detect that different methods may prove to be useful from one location to the next. The more bed bug detection tools you can deploy, the more likely you are to detect infestations early when bed bugs are the easiest to control.
NESDCA (National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association)
The National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDCA) was recently formed and held its first meeting at the University of Florida Department of Entomology’s Southeast Pest Management Conference. The objectives of the association are as follows:
• To unite and assist all entomology scent detection canine teams in the training and continued improvement of all Entomology scent detecting work dogs.
• To establish a working standard for all entomology scent detecting canines, handlers and trainers through an accreditation program.
• To provide educational material through publications, visual aids and training seminars.
• To improve the image of the entomology scent detecting canine.
The standards that are being utilized by NESDECA are based upon research on canine scent detection conducted by scientists at The University of Florida, Department of Entomology. This association provides the insurance that the training facilities, training methods, and dog/handler teams have met the high standards set by NESDCA. Training facilities that are NESDCA certified are listed on the NESDCA website. You can visit the NESDCA website at www.nesdca.com to learn more about the association, to find NESDCA certified training facilities, or to look up NESDCA certified dog & handler teams trained specifically for bed bug scent detection.
Reference Articles:
Note: Cooper Pest Solutions has worked very closely with J&K Canine Academy in the development of bed bug sniffing dogs. Pepe Peruyero, President of J&K Canine Academy, is one of the country's top canine scent detection trainers and has worked extensively with the Entomology Department at the University of Florida in validating the use of canine scent detection for the detection of termites and is currently involved in similar research with bed bugs. It is through our experience with J&K Canine Academy and the researches at the University of Florida that we have developed many of the opinions expressed on the subject of canine scent detection for bed bugs. For more information on J&K Canine Academy you can visit their website http://www.jkk9.com/.
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Challenges with Bed Bug Control Efforts
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The first part of the answer to that question is that bed bugs are as new to today's generation of pest management professionals as they are to the American public. As a result many of the pest management firms are still trying to figure out how to effectively deal with bed bug infestations. In fact most pest control technicians have never even seen a bed bug, let alone treated for them. It is difficult to find a company that is very experienced and really understands how to effectively manage bed bug infestations. Companies that are quick to offer a guarantee that they will eliminate or "solve" the problem in one or two visits may not really understand what they are up against. Of course consumers are likely to prefer a company that is confident that they can solve the problem in one or two visits compared to a company that explains that elimination cannot be guaranteed, and that it may take three to four visits or possibly more to resolve the problem. However, the later company probably has a better understanding of the pest and in the long run is probably better equipped to deliver a higher level of control. The consumer really needs to be very aware that it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible to eliminate 100% of the bed bugs in a dwelling.
Clutter is probably the single biggest obstacle that stands in the way of control. Closets that are filled with belongings, items stored beneath beds or furniture, piles of clothing or other items on the floor, etc. all provide an unlimited number of hiding places for bed bugs. In addition, clutter creates areas that cannot be effectively treated by your pest management professional. The more clutter, the longer it will take to gain control. In the case of very cluttered conditions, control may be impossible. For this reason control is much more easily achieved in a hotel room which is not permanently lived in as compared to an apartment or single family home.
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Surrounding Units
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Bed bugs will readily move between units in multi-occupancy settings such as hotels, apartments, hospitals, dormitories etc. As a result, bed bug management efforts in multi-occupancy structures should that are limited to the infested unit only are often prone to failure. Often property or facility managers are reluctant to expand the bed bug management effort to other units whose occupants have not yet complained about bed bugs. By notifying other occupants of the facility there is the risk of creating alarm and panic among residents not to mention the damage that could be caused to the reputation of the facility. Notifying occupants of surrounding units is a sensitive and sometimes difficult proposition however; the reality is that failure to do so end up being very costly in the long run.
One or more of the surrounding units may have well established infestations that have not been reported by the occupants. In situations like this it will be difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate bed bugs in a unit if one or more of the surrounding units are serving as primary source and are not also addressed.
Another reason to investigate the surrounding units is so that you can identify bed bug infestations that may exist at low levels and have not yet been identified by the occupants of the unit. It is not uncommon for people to suffer from a bed bug infestation for several months or more before they finally realize that they have a problem with bed bugs (see also - Early Detection of Bed Bugs ). If not identified, these low level populations may become very well established and prove to be much more difficult to control had they been identified sooner.
Even if no evidence of bed bugs is found in any of the units that are surrounding the infested unit, the risk of infestation of the surrounding units will continue, and may even increase until the infestation in the neighboring unit has been eliminated. As a result, continued inspection of surrounding units is advised until the original infestation has been eliminated.
One pro-active measure that can be considered is the installation of a mattress and box spring encasements for the beds in surrounding units. A proper encasement can serve as an early detection tool (see also Early Detection of Bed Bugs or Mattress and Box Spring Encasements) as well as prevent the mattress and box spring from becoming infested. |
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How Do I Know I Have Bed Bugs?
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KEY POINTS:
• 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
• The most effective inspections are conducted by a qualified pest management professional
The only way to know for sure if you have bed bugs, is to produce an actual sample of the bug itself. Do not automatically assume that any bite-like mark is a bed bug bite. Also it is important to realize that medical professionals cannot give a positive diagnosis simply by examining bite symptoms, they can only suggest some possible explanations for what may have caused the bites/symptoms to occur. Obviously if you see bugs in your home associated with your bedding or other furniture, you should have it examined by a professional that is qualified to provide a positive identification. However, if you are experiencing bites but have not seen any bugs, you should consider the circumstances in which the bites are occurring. For example, there is a very good chance that you have bed bugs if you keep repeatedly waking up each morning with bite symptoms on your body that were not present when you went to sleep. A situation like this would be a good reason to have a pest management professional perform an inspection to identify if bed bugs are present. On the other hand, bites that occur at various times of the day in various locations such as at home, in the car, at work, etc. are much less likely to be caused by bed bugs. It is also important to realize that just because you have looked for bed bugs and could not find them, does not mean that they are not there. These insects lead a very cryptic and secretive lifestyle and will often go undetected. It is best to have a highly trained professional conduct the inspection for you.
Occasionally you may see evidence of a bed bug infestation without actually seeing any bed bugs. Bed bugs leave fecal stains in the areas they inhabit. These stains are actually partially digested blood but remember that it will not be red unless you crush a bed bug that has just recently fed. As the blood is digested it turns black and therefore the bed bug droppings usually consist of several black spots in one area. The fecal spots will not flake off if rubbed and will smear if wiped with a wet rag.
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Fecal spotting tends to appear as not as red blood but
instead as dark/black stains or smears from the digested blood
that is excreted (fecal spotting along box spring frame).
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Fecal spotting on a box spring
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Fecal spotting inside of a box spring
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Fecal spotting, shed skins, eggs & live bug along the bottom of a box spring
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Fecal spotting on the back of a head board
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Fecal spotting and shed skin along mattress piping
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I Have Bed Bugs, Now What?
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KEY POINTS:
• Bed bugs are best handled by a professional
• Physical methods such as vacuuming or hot laundering can be helpful
• Vacuums that are used to remove bed bugs can become infested
• Beds do not have to be thrown out, they can be saved by using an appropriate mattress & box spring encasement (learn more)
• Sleeping in a different room or vacating the structure is not a solution and can make the problem more difficult to eliminate
1. Contact a professional
The complete elimination of bed bugs requires highly trained, and licensed individuals knowledgeable in bed bug biology, behavior, and the proper use of pesticides. There is little chance that you will be able to eliminate the problem on your own. Most commercially available pesticides are not designed for bed bugs and the use of these products (while they may kill some bed bugs) will only spread the bed bugs to remote areas and make the problem much more difficult to solve. While chemical remedies should only be handled by professionals, there are many non-chemical measures you can take to help eliminate the problem and speed up the results of your bed bug program. These techniques are discussed below.
2. Remove bed bugs
Just because you have bed bugs does not mean that you have to wait for a professional to kill them. You can simply crush them with a rag (although this may stain surfaces) or remove them with a vacuum. Regularly inspecting and vacuuming your mattress and box spring is a very effective way to reduce large numbers of bed bugs quickly. However, it is important to note that bed bugs can readily infest vacuums. To reduce the likelihood of the vacuum becoming infested you should choose a vacuum that empties into a vacuum bag instead of a filter. A vacuum bag can be easily disposed of while a filter is difficult to completely empty and eggs can easily lodge in places that you cannot see. Also, avoid using vacuum attachments that have brushes or bristles. Instead use the open end of the hose. Vacuuming up a little bit of talcum/baby powder before you start vacuuming and just after you finish may also help reduce the survival rate of some of the bugs that are vacuumed up. As soon as you are done vacuuming, the vacuum bag should be tied shut in a trash bag and discarded outside of the home. You should also inspect the housing of the vacuum where the bag attaches to the hose as some bugs may escape the vacuum bag. If you have a bagless vacuum, the contents of the canister should be emptied into a trash bag and tied shut. The canister should then be washed to remove any remaining bed bugs or eggs. If you are concerned about the vacuum becoming infested then you should not follow this recommendation.
3. Eliminate clutter
Clutter is a bed bug's best friend and a pest management professional's worst enemy. Clutter provides an infinite number of areas for bed bugs to hide and creates areas that cannot be effectively treated by your pest management professional. These areas are a safe haven for bed bugs. Cluttered areas can cause the complete failure of a bed bug control program. If cluttered conditions persist, your pest management professional may only be able to reduce the number of bed bugs and never completely eliminate the problem. Do your best to eliminate clutter.
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Example of clutter in a room, unlimited
areas for bugs to hide and lay eggs
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4. Do not store items under bed
Related to #3, items stored under the bed give bed bugs additional undisturbed areas to hide protected from any chemical treatments.
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Items left beneath an infested
bed are a recipe for control failure
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5. Launder items regularly
Heat is deadly to bed bug. All stages of bed bugs including the eggs can be killed by exposing them to temperatures in excess of 115oF for at least five minutes. Hot laundering can be a highly effective method for dealing with any item that can be safely placed in a clothes dryer on high heat. Linens should be laundered regularly (preferably weekly) in hot water and dried in the hot cycle of your dryer to kill any bed bugs or eggs on the items. Even of you do not see any bed bugs on the items, female bed bugs drop eggs randomly as they roam. These eggs are very tiny and will not be noticed on your linens. Washing the linens will remove and kill these eggs. Likewise, if your couch is infested, you can also remove the cushion covers (if possible) and launder them as well.
6. Install mattress and box spring encasements
There are many mattress and box spring encasements available to the consumer; however most of these encasements have not been designed specifically for use with bed bugs. Instead most encasements available to the consumer are designed to either protect the bed from becoming stained or provide relief for people with allergies to dust mites. This does not mean that they will be effective for bed bugs. It is very important to be sure that the encasement that you purchase has been specifically designed for bed bugs and has scientific data to support the effectiveness of the product.
Once beds are encased any bugs that may be trapped within the encasement will unable to escape or feed and will eventually die. In addition, once the beds are protected, other bed bugs cannot penetrate the encasement and thus cannot infest the mattress or box spring. Instead, bed bugs are restricted to the surface of the encasement where they are easy to spot and remove. In addition to playing an important role in managing a bed bug infestation, encasements can also be a very useful pro-active tool to help aid in the early detection of bed bugs should they be introduced into a dwelling that was not previously infested. Finally, it is important that the encasements are kept in good condition. Any rips in the encasements will allow bed bugs to enter and exit the encasement. (See Also - Mattress and Box Spring Encasement)
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Close-Up of Mattress and
Box Spring Encasement
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Fully Installed Mattress and
Box Spring Encasement
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7. Do not change where you sleep
Some people believe that they can avoid bed bugs by sleeping in a different area of their home. Once people identify that their bed is infested they will often begin sleeping in a different bedroom or on the sofa. Bed bugs have evolved over millions of years to be very adept at locating potential hosts to feed on. If you move to a different area of the home to sleep, the bed bugs will find you. Changing where you sleep is likely to promote the movement of bugs throughout the structure and make it more difficult to eliminate the infestation. Even if you move out of your home, you risk bringing bed bugs with you to your temporary residence and infesting that area as well. Not only can you spread the bed bugs, but when you return home the bugs will be waiting to great you. Remember, bed bugs can survive many months, and in some cases up to a year or more without feeding. Although it sounds like a grim choice, it is best to continue sleeping in the infested area until the bed bugs are eliminated.
8. Do not immediately throw items away
For many people, the immediate reaction to a bed bug infestation is to throw the infested items away. This is unnecessary and could possibly make the problem worse. As items are carried through the home to be discarded, bed bugs can fall off of the item and be spread throughout the home to uninfested areas. Also, you are eliminating the harborages for these bed bugs and disturbing them. This may cause the bed bugs to move to find other places to live and spread the problem. In addition, discarded items are often picked up by other people (maybe even your neighbor), spreading the problem to new areas. In some circumstances when the item is in poor condition or is highly infested, discarding the item is the best option. However, this is best left to a professional so that the item can be disc | | | | | |
