This document provides information on bed bugs, including their history and resurgence, identification, biology and behavior, sanitation practices, disease transmission, early detection methods, and treatment options. It discusses how bed bugs lay eggs and feed on blood, and notes that early detection can be difficult. Treatment involves thorough inspection of potential harborage sites, use of encasements, vacuuming, heating methods, insecticides and traps. Complete control may require multiple visits and ongoing monitoring, as reintroduction is possible.

1. Bed BugsIPM for the Control of Bed Bugs

2. Key Discussion PointsHistory & Resurgence

3. Identification

4. Biology & Behavior

5. Sanitation

6. Disease & Bite Symptoms

7. Avoiding Infestations

8. Early Detection

9. Mattress and Box Spring Encasements

10. How Do Clients Know If They Have Bed Bugs?

11. Think 3D, Outside the Box.

12. Treatment MethodsHistory & 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

13. Worldwide increase in bed bug activity

14. More frequent introductions during international travel

15. Changes in pest management practices & resistance to pesticides

16. Lack of public awareness is perpetuating the continued dispersal of bed bugsIdentification

17. Identification

18. Biology & Behavior 1-5 eggs per day, 500 in a lifetimeHatch in 7-10 daysActive at night. Mostly between 1 am – 5 am (True Midnight)Bed bugs are very resilient and easily survive for several months or more without a blood meal, in ideal conditions up to 18 months

19. Biology & Behavior Cont…1 ½ -2 months

20. Biology & Behavior Cont…Half of the blood ingested is lost by defecation within 5 hours.Biology & Behavior Cont…Bed Bug MatingMale punctures female body wall injects sperm into the female’s abdomen, outside of the reproductive tract.

21. Biology & Behavior Cont…What Makes Them Active?

22. Biology & Behavior Cont…

23. SanitationBed bugs are not caused by poor sanitation or one’s social status

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

25. 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

26. Average time before people even notice an infestation is 3 months

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

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

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

30. A single bug can be responsible for numerous bite symptomsDisease & Bite Symptoms Cont…

31. Disease & Bite Symptoms Cont…

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

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

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

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

36. Bite symptoms are a good indicator but cannot be diagnosed with 100% certaintyEarly Detection

37. Early Detection

38. K9 Inspections97% EffectiveK9 Inspections - MOLLY

39. The most popular sites are . . . Head boardsBed framesBox springsMattressesNightstandsPicture framesChair and sofa skirts and pleatsLeg attachmentsBaseboardsCracks in flooringUnder edges of carpet Behind wall paper MORE EXAMPLES OF SITES

40. Do not immediately throw items awayThink 3D, Outside the Box.

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

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

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

44. It is very important that the encasement has been specifically tested and designed to be effective against bed bugsMattress and Box Spring Encasements

45. 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 mattressesAn 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.

46. 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 asindicated by the first stage nymph coming through the teeth of this zipper.Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…An effective encasement should seal completely at the zipper end stop. Not all end stops have a completeseal that is escape proof.

47. If the zipper pulls back, a largeenough gap is created to allow bedbugs to enter and exit the encasementThis particular encasement is escape proof when the zipper is pulled completely shutMattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

48. Sealed BugLock ® EncasementEven with zipper pulled backan escape proof seal still existsIn order for bugs to escapethe zipper has to be pulledall the way back beyondthe BugLock ® patchMattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

49. Protecting the EncasementFelt padding can be used to help protect the encasement from protrusions and rough edges.Example of mattress pads being placed over encasement.Mattress and Box Spring Encasements Cont…

50. Vacuum up Bed BugsThink 3D, Outside the Box.

51. Eliminate Clutter

52. Do Not Store Items Under BedsThink 3D, Outside the Box.

53. Hot Wash & Hot Launder All Infested Items

54. Do Not Move Tenant To Another RoomThink 3D, Outside the Box.

55. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.

56. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.

57. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.

58. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.

59. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.

60. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.

61. Think 3-dimensionallyThink 3D, Outside the Box.