Bed Bugs: What They Look Like Where They Live & How To Eradicate Them

Shawn Holle: Safety AnalystDPH OSH Services

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What Is A Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius)?

Wingless Insects That Feed On BloodThree Stages: Egg, Juvenile, AdultSmall But Visible At All StagesFound In Beds, Under Baseboards, Clothing, Furniture, Bedside Clutter, Crevices & CracksCannot Fly Or JumpPhotophobic (Do Not Like The Light)

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What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

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Visible At All Stages of Existence

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Characteristics

Attracted by Carbon DioxidePhotophobic: Only Eat in the DarkNeed Victims to Be Still (Sleeping)Feed On Blood & Only BloodFeed Every Five to Ten DaysLife Expectancy is 18 months (12 months without food)

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Where Are Bed Bugs Found?Homes (Mattresses, Wall Seams, & Crevices)HotelsSROsDormsJailsOffice BuildingsStoresHomeless SheltersEverywhere Humans Are

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Human Health Risks From Bed Bug Exposure?

Bites: Reactions To Bites Vary WidelyMost Common Symptom: Itchy WeltsScratching Welts Can Cause Infection at Bite SiteBed Bugs Have Not Been Proven To Pass Infectious Diseases To Humans

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What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Red Raised WeltsTypically 3 Or 4 In A Row (Due To Feeding Interruptions)Found On All Bodily Surfaces

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Exposure Prevention: Your Work SiteLimit Personal Belongings Clients Bring InPhase Out Upholstered FurnitureInspect Office RegularlyImmediately Report Observed Bed Bugs To Facility ManagementFacility Management Will Take Whatever Action is NecessaryDon’t Panic: One Or Two Bed Bugs Is Not An Infestation

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Exposure Prevention: Site Visits

Carry As Few Extra Items With You As PossibleIf You Have to Bring Gear Don’t Put It On the FloorCarry Your Gear in a BackpackDo Not Sit On Beds Or Upholstered FurnitureCheck Clothing After Visit & Before Entering CarIf Exposure is Suspected Put Belongings In Clear Plastic Bags & Seal Them Up

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Exposure Prevention: Off Site Workers

Use Separate Clothes & Shoes For Field WorkShake Clothes Outside Before Entering CarChange Clothes At Work Seal Field Clothes In Clear Plastic Bag For LaunderingHave Facilities Set Test Traps

Inspect Own Living & Work Spaces Regularly

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This Is An Infestation

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Inspections At Home, Work, & Off Site

Check For Small Stains On Furniture & BeddingLook For Shed Skins, Amber In ColorCheck Crevices / CracksCheck Screw And Nail HolesTurn Over Furniture To Check UndersidePull Out Drawers And Inspect All SidesSet Out Traps

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What to Look For

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Exposure Prevention: Maintenance Workers & Cleanup Crews

Wear Tyvek Suit or Other Coveralls & Plastic Shoe CoversSeal Coveralls in Plastic Bag After Use & DiscardDedicate a Vacuum for Pest Control

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Bed Bug Elimination

Contact Pest Control CompanyClean And Organize Living AreaEliminate ClutterBag And Remove Bedding And ClothesUse HOT Dryer For 30 Minutes For Plush Toys, Shoes, CoatsIsolate Clean Items Until Bed Bugs Are GoneCaulk Holes In Floors & WallsMattress & Pillow CoversVacuumCaulk Cracks & CrevicesSet Out Traps

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Cleaning

Scrub Mattress Seams With Stiff BrushVacuum Mattresses, Bed Frames, Furniture, Floors, And Carpets - Especially Around Bed And Furniture PostsPut Vacuum Cleaner Bag In A Sealed Plastic Bag Immediately After VacuumingDispose Of Sealed Bag In Outside ContainerClean Linens, Curtains, Rugs, Carpets, And ClothesWash And Dry Bedding And Clothes On HOT

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Avoid Exposure To & Spreading Of Bed Bugs

Inspect Luggage After TravelingWash Donated Clothing On HOT Before WearingDo Not Pick Up Discarded Items On The StreetInspect Any Used Furniture Or Other PurchasesWrap Infested Items In Plastic Before DiscardingLabel Discarded Items “Infested With Bed Bugs”To Prevent Reuse

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What If I Think I Have Bed Bugs?Call DPH Environmental Health At 415 252 3800!Seal All Sheets, Blankets And Pillow Cases In A Plastic Bag Before Removing Them From The Room To Avoid Spreading The Infestation To Other AreasWash All Bedding With Hot Water And Dry On The Hottest SettingTreat Mattresses With A Light Mist Of Bed Bug Specific Insecticide On Seams, Folds, Buttons And Torn Areas. Allow The Mattress To Dry Before Placing Bed SheetsDo Not Spray LinenDo Not Treat Infant’s Mattresses Or BeddingVacuum Cracks And Crevices And Other Hiding Spaces In Walls, Floors And Furniture Where Adult Bed Bugs Or Eggs Can Be FoundEggs Are Not Affected By Insecticides, So Repeat The InsecticideApplication 2-3 Times (Every 10 Days) To Remove Post-treatment HatchlingsA Licensed Pest Control Company Is Recommended For Insecticide Applications

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Questions & AnswersQ. Is this bite on my leg from a bed bug (which I think I must have gotten at work)?

A. Highly Unlikely. A bed bug only feeds on a person who is completely still, which predominantly means sleeping.

Q. Bed bugs have been observed/caught in our office building. Is the office building infested?

A. Highly Unlikely. There have been no known cases in DPH of Worksite Infestation. One or Two bedbugs does not make an infestation.

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Questions & Answers

Q. Bed bugs have been observed/caught in our building. Is it possible that if I bring as few as one home to my house that my house can become infested?

A. Not Likely. To cause an infestation in your home, a bed bug would not only need to attach itself to you or your property, but would need to stay attached all the way to your house, get to your bed, and lay eggs. If all of this does occur, then take thenecessary steps to eliminate them.

Q. I suspect a client may have bed bugs because they told me that they have them at home. What should I do when client arrives for an appointment?

A. Check the area where client was sitting. If client brought items to the appointment, check areas where items were placed. If any insects are observed immediately call Facilities Management.

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1380 Howard Protocols for Office Environment

1) Scheduled monthly placement and inspection of insect traps/monitors at each site/program location by Pest Control Vendor and/or Facilities Team, with a report of findings submitted and discussed with Facilities staff at each site.

2) If bed bugs are suspected or sighted, Facilities Team or Program Manager or designee will contact BEHM Inspectors Mario Oblena 252-3826 and Joseph Ossai 252-3892 for assistance. The detailed report of the findings should be supplied to the inspectors along with any other information from the Pest control vendor.

3) If the suspect carrier is a client/visitor, we should inform them that their visit or session has ended and they need to leave the premises to prevent possible contamination of clinic occupants. Facilities Team can/should make arrangements to contact BEHM and the bldg manager for the client/visitor if possible.

4) If the suspect carrier is an employee, their supervisor or Facilities Team should share the suspicion or findings with the employee, ask if there is an issue at home, and contact Human Resources on the next step. Facilities Team will make arrangements to vacuum the area and /or arrange for more intensive treatment by Pest Control vendor, under the guidance of BEHM.