Epidemiology of bed bugs, prevention, and control

Sa’sha Moody Jasmine Scott Johnleekia Little Jordan Fordham

Georgia Southern University

Bed Bugs Are A Problem Worldwide!● Cause property loss, expense loss,

and are an inconvenience● Found in North and South America,

Africa, Asia, and Europe● No specific demographic area or

climate conditions o Most like humid areas

● Traditionally a problem in developing countrieso Spreading rapidly in parts of the

United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, Brazil, and Australia.

Bed Bugs in the United States

● Found in all 50 states

● The incidence of bed bugs is 3x higher in urban areas than in rural areas.

o Larger population size

o More people living in apartments

o Increased mobility which encourages the rapid spread of bed bugs

Cases of Bed Bugs

Infestations● In the U.S.

o the Northeast region New York and Washington, DC ranked first showing the

widespread bed bug infestations.

Cities

New York City

Philadelphia

Detroit

Cincinnati

Chicago

Denver

○ Columbus

○ Dayton

○ Los Angeles

○ Boston

How are they transported?

● Travel

o Hotels

o Luggage

● Storage areas

● Places where people rest or are located often

Conclusion

Top Bed Bug Facts and Statistics: Feating the Top 13 Places to find Bed Bugs outside of your Bedroom! (2013, November 13). Retrieved November 4, 2015.

• Indianapolis movie theater treated for bedbugs– April 7, 2015– With cushy, upholstered seats and plenty of human hosts,

the movie theater is prime real estate for bedbugs looking for a meal.

– Limit the personal belongings you bring with you to avoid bringing home your own critter horror show.

Bed bugs and movie theaters?

How are they transported?

● Bedding

o Piping of mattresses, Box Spring, Cracks on bed frame or headboards

● Seams of chairs and couches, Cushions, Folds of curtains

● Drawers

● Electrical Receptacles and Appliances

● Under loose wallpaper and wall hangings

● Can squeeze into really small spots

New or old problem?

• Bed bugs have been biting people since the beginning of written history

– Archaeologist discovered a 3,500 year old fossilized bed bugs

– Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians used them to cure ailments

• 1950’s

– disappeared due to widespread use of DDT

• Major resurgence

– infestations are hard to treat

• 90% of common bed bugs now are resistant to common pesticides

What has caused the Resurgence Seen Today?

● Increased Travel Worldwide

● A Change in Pest Elimination Practices

● Lack of Community Awareness

● Seasonal workers

● Use of second-hand furniture

Prevention

• Provide bed bug education

• Protect luggage while traveling

– Keep suitcases tightly closed while not in use

– Wash clothes immediately after traveling

• Screen items before bringing them into the home

– Second hand or previously used items should be checked for bed bugs

• furniture can be fumigated

• Deprive bed bugs of hiding places

– Declutter where you sleep

– Mattress and box spring covers can block the movement of bed bugs

– Seal cracks and molding

Control

• Physical Methods

– Find and remove bed bugs using:

• a vacuum cleaner

• clear tape

• a lint roller

– Place clothing or bedding in the dryer on high heat (113 F) for 30 minutes

– Discard infested items

• Chemical Methods

– Use a pesticide intended for bed bugs

– Structural fumigation

• Tarp or tent filled with toxic gas

• The gas penetrates in cracks and pores in wood.

• The gas eliminates the bed bugs.

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