Steering Clear of Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs (Cinex lectularius) have been in the news lately for showing up in places other than the bedroom. There have been instances where these pesky creatures are finding their way into schools, hospitals, hotels, and retail clothing stores. Several New York City retail stores had to close their doors to deal with infestations. These bugs have even been found inside lamp bases, clock radios, TVs, computer keyboards, between the pages of books, inside electric switches, behind ceiling moldings, and in one case, inside a cell phone.

Why all the recent news? It is thought that due to the rise of international travel
and the use of less toxic pesticides, Bed Bugs have been making a comeback. These creatures are easy to pick up, and difficult to remove. The Bed Bug reproduces rapidly, and due to its tiny size and nocturnal habits, is difficult to eradicate completely. Extermination generally requires several visits and a long term control plan known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

What is a Bed Bug? The Harvard School of Public Health website defines bed bugs as small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. The bugs feed on their preferred hosts generally at night, while these hosts are asleep, and painlessly sip a few drops of blood. They live in mattresses, bed frames, carpeting, wall crevices and other dark spaces. Chemical traps cannot eradicate them as they are only interested in their sole food source. According to
Bed-Bug.org, one chemical that could work on them, DDT, has been outlawed in the U.S. Another challenge is that the bugs can live for up to 18 months without eating.

How to detect Bed Bugs

Where to look for Bed Bugs

Ways to Control Infestation
Work with a qualified Pest Management Company who utilizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to Bed Bug Management for long term control. This may include visual inspection, use of Bed Bug detection dogs, and treatments including:

Remove clutter. Don’t spread bed bugs into non infested areas. Before removing items from an invested area to treat, completely seal in plastic. Laundry that has been invested by bed bugs can
be placed into dissolvable laundry bags.

Resources and Links

How to Spot Bed Bugs: WebMD Bed Bug Slideshow

National Pest Management Association – Bed Bug Hub – One Stop Shop for Bed Bug Information

“The Today Show” – Steer Clear of Bed Bugs

The University of Kentucky – Entomology Dept – Bed Bugs

GreenClean Dissolvable Laundry Bags

For more information please contact Leslie Dugan, Assistant Vice President

IMPORTANT NOTICE – The information and suggestions presented by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company in this e-brochure is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.