Bed bugs are invading America’s cities and homes in a big way. They’re being found in homes, apartments, hotels, retail stores, offices, places of worship, college dorms, hospitals, daycares, libraries, modes of transportation, movie theaters, laundry facilities and other places where humans live and gather.
Those are the findings of a new survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, which confirms what pest management professionals across the U.S. and around the world have been seeing in the field.
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius Linnaeus 1758) is an ectoparasite insect (a parasite which lives on the outside of the body of the host) of the family Cimicidae. Bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Although they have a cryptic behavior and can conceal themselves in tight cracks and crevices, bed bugs are often found in bed parts, such as mattresses and box springs, hence the common name.
“The results of the 2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study suggest that we are on the threshold of a bed bug pandemic, not just in the United States, but around the world,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Because bed bugs don’t discriminate between rich and poor, don’t have a preference for climate or environment, public awareness, education and vigilance are key in detecting and preventing bed bug infestations.”
Visual inspections are the preferred method of determining if a bed bug infestation exists. They're the size and color of an apple seed, like to travel and will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply. Bed bugs are elusive, nocturnal creatures, and beside the mattress and headboard, they can be found behind baseboards, electrical switch plates, picture frames, wallpaper, upholstery and in furniture crevices. They come out at night for a blood meal.
The 2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study findings are based on responses from 1,000 U.S. and international pest management companies. Highlights include:
1. Professional pest management companies have reported a dramatic increase in bed bug calls in recent years. While there is not one clear answer for the resurgence of bed bugs, the majority of respondents cited increased travel and movement of people from across town and around the globe, lack of societal awareness and precautions, and changing pest control products and methods.
2. Bed bugs are a much greater problem in urban and suburban areas with larger populations of people who live close together and interact in enclosed spaces on a regular basis. Because of the bed bugs’ ability to “hitchhike” on people and their belongings, these living environments will continue to see higher infestation occurrences than those living in rural areas. According to the survey, 52 percent of pest management companies report treating bed bug infestations in rural areas compared to 71 percent in urban and 80 percent in suburban areas.
3. Bed bugs are the most difficult pest to treat, according to 76 percent of survey respondents, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites. As for where infestations occur, residences top the list with 89 percent of pest professionals treating bed bug infestations in apartments/condos and 88 percent treating bed bug infestations in single-family homes. Respondents also report other common areas, with 67 percent treating bed bug infestations in hotels/motels, 35 percent in college dormitories, 9 percent on various modes of transportation, 5 percent in laundry facilities, and 4 percent in movie theatres.
4. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to humans, their bites do leave itchy welts on human skin and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Additionally, the emotional and mental toll of experiencing a bed bug infestation can be severe and should not be taken lightly. Survey respondents report that 99 percent of clients who have had bed bugs were “upset and concerned” and 77 percent said such customers were “very upset and concerned.”
How do bed bugs get into homes and other places?
They like to travel and are good hitchhikers. They will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply. They are elusive, nocturnal creatures. They can hide behind baseboards and in cracks, crevices, and folded areas of beds, bedding and adjacent furniture, especially mattresses and box springs. Bed bugs can also hide in electrical switch plates, picture frames, wallpaper and nearly anywhere inside a home, car, bus, or other shelter.
Bed bugs usually come out at night for a blood meal. However, they are opportunistic insects and can take a blood meal during the day, especially in heavily-infested areas. Bed bugs usually require 5-10 minutes to engorge with blood. After feeding, they move to secluded places and hide for 5-10 days. During this time, they do not feed but instead digest their meal, mate, and lay eggs.
What can you do to prevent a bed bug infestation?
• Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation.
• Check your bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots.
• Bring a large plastic trash bag to keep your suitcase in during hotel stays.
• Carry a small flashlight to assist you with quick visual inspections.
• Never bring second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and box springs, into a home without thoroughly examining for signs of a bed bug infestation. You might consider having a pest control professional inspect the furniture as it is difficult to detect an infestation if you are untrained.
• Regularly inspect areas where pets sleep for signs of bed bugs.
• Seek professional pest control to address an infestation.