Bed Bugs Go ShoppingStrategies to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Store

Dr. Ron HarrisonDirector of Technical Services, Orkin

• Bed Bugs: The Current Situation• Profile of a Bed Bug• Threats• Bed Bugs in Retail• Monitoring & Detection• Treatment• Q&A

Agenda

The Current Situation

You’re Not Alone

• Originally introduced to U.S. with the early colonists• Thought to be gone from the U.S. after 1960, but

maybe never left• Several theories to explain

comeback:– Never really went away– Increase in international travel– Pest control treatments have

become more targeted and less toxic– Pesticide resistance

Bed Bugs 101

A History of Bed Bugs

• Adults about 0.5 cm long, broadly flat and oval (like an apple seed)

• Brown in color (reddish brown after feeding)

• Nocturnal• Must feed on blood; prefers

human blood but may feed on other mammals or poultry

Profile of a Bed Bug

• Takes a blood meal in 3-10 min. (consumes about 3 times its body weight when feeding)

Bed Bug’s Favorite Meal

• Social stigma• Customer complaints or possible litigation• Bed bugs not known to transmit disease. Reactions

can vary: – No reaction– Immediate reaction– Delayed reaction

• Damaged reputation

Bed Bugs Threats

• Populations growing in hotel and apartment environments lead to natural exposure in retail

• Move to office buildings meant more travel for the hitchhiking pest

How Bed Bugs Reached Retail

• While bed bugs are appearing in retail stores, they aren’t ideal environments:– 1 bed bug does not an infestation make– People, but no beds– Shifting inventory: good for

business and bed bugs– Bed bug, not jumping bug– Today’s temperature

The Best of Retail

“Spotting” the Signs

Bed Bug Eggs Unfed Nymph Fed Instars Adult Bed Bug

What to look for:• Bed bugs in any stage• Cast skins• Fecal smears

HOT SPOTS• Dressing Rooms• Alteration Areas• Clothing Racks• Back Storage• Lounges Areas• Returns• Employee lockers and

work stations

“Spotting” the Signs

PREVENTION & IDENTIFICATION• Education and awareness• DNA Swabs• Bed bug sniffing dogs• Emerging methods

• Contact licensed pest management provider immediately• Isolate and dispose of infested items• Isolate affected items and put in the dryer• Heat & steam on soft furniture• Non-residual chemical treatments, e.g., alcohol• Residual chemical treatment – carpet edges, furniture, etc.• Fumigation – Leaves no residual, but requires facility to be cleared

Remediation

• Awareness of emerging trend• Communication between employees• Training from pest management provider• Inspection of your store• Openness in reporting issues• Notification if any signs are found

Take Action

OrkinCommercial.com

Questions?