2. BedBug Biology
• Bed Bugs are 1/5 inch long a 1/8 inch wide
• Reddish brown/mahogany
• Flattened oval shape
• Tiny hairs almost invisible to the naked eye
• Piercing sucking mouthparts
• They become engorged after feeding
• Adults and nymphs look similar but the nymphs may be colorless
• Bed Bugs are nocturnal
3. BedBug Eggs
• Elongated and usually attached to surfaces
• Eggs can be placed on hosts body but typically are placed on surfaces near
where host sleeps or nests
• Female lays 2 eggs a day until she’s laid 200
• At normal room temperature the eggs hatch in 6 to 17 days
• A blood meal is required for them to molt
• The nymph period lasts 14 to 30 days
• They have 5 instar stages before becoming adults
• From egg to egg takes 4 to 9 weeks with the hatched bug finally laying her own
4. BedBug Inspection
• Always use a bright flashlight and a mirror for a thorough inspection.
• Carefully remove the bed covers and then the sheets, looking in the tufts,
folds, linings, cracks, crevices, bed frames, casters and other tight areas.
• Their flat bodies provide them with the ability to hide in many areas.
• Remember to check headboards, dressers, televisions, nightstands, lamps, behind
pictures, closet rod holders, under the edge of carpet along tack strips.
• Bed bugs give a distinct odor from glands on their thorax.
• Inspect adjacent rooms and living areas since they tend to roam.
• Look for spots of fecal matter they leave behind blood spots on sheets.
6. BedBug Treatment
Vacuuming is the most the important. You can remove bed bugs and eggs with the suction
wand of a strong vacuum; however, you must target the seams of mattresses and box springs,
along perimeters of carpets, under baseboards, and in other areas where bed bugs live. A
single vacuuming rarely gets all bugs and eggs. Repeated vacuuming should be done.
Products with a dual mode of action work well –Temprid, Bedlam, Zenprox, etc
Other low toxicity products may also be very effective such as Cirkil which is made from plant
oils.
It’s important in cases where you may return frequently that you focus on what products you are
using and rotate the use of products as needed.
IGRs such as Nygard and Gentrol are generally ineffective against bed bug.s
Remember to treat beds, couches, tables, chairs, nightstands, and any other places that bed
bugs can find shelter.
It’s important that you be thorough and treat every possible place they may be hiding.
Bug glue traps, and other types of lures should be used so that control can be properly
measured.
7. BedBug Treatment
Insecticides may be applied as liquids directly to cracks, crevices, bed frames, baseboards,
and other similar sites, or they may be applied as dusts in cracks and crevices. Pesticides
aren’t generally applied to mattresses or bedding because of potential risk to people.
Liquid insecticide formulations, many of which are available for use only by PMPs, include:
Products containing the botanical insecticide pyrethrin, which gives quick knockdown but little
long-term control. Various synthetic pyrethroid products (e.g., cyhalothrin, bifenthrin,
deltamethrin, and permethrin). Mixtures of pyrethroids and neonicotinoids (e.g., Temprid and
Transport) Various botanical oils.
Products including the pyrole insecticide chlorfenapyr (Phantom) and the insect growth
regulator (IGR) hydroprene (Gentrol).
Fumigation using the active ingredient sulfuryl fluoride is commercially available for bed bug
control can be highly effective. The dosage requirement for the treatments is 1.9 X. However,
this is a highly specialized and regulated treatment method, best for remedial control only.
Since fumigants have no residual effects, other methods or a combination of methods will be
needed to prevent reinfestations.
8. BedBug Treatment
Cracks & Crevices
It is very important that
you check and treat every
area. Bed bugs can be
found anywhere
NO bed bug treatment is ever
successful without vacuuming
9. BedBug Summary
You should always use a bright flashlight during your inspection.
Taking things apart and looking deep into important areas will help you identify the real
source of the problem.
Vacuuming is the most the important step and should be done repeatedly.
Product Selection is important – and as you keep returning you should rotate your
selection of products as needed.
Proper monitoring is a necessity – the customer should note all instances of issues, and
the property should be re-inspected on each visit.
Even when the best products are used, and the most thorough work is done follow-ups
are needed. These follow up inspections and treatments are the key to success.
