Bed Bugs Gone Wild: Home Prevention and Treatment Tips

Posted on November 28, 2011 with No Comments

Matt Frye is an entomologist working at JP McHale Pest Management, pest control specialists.  The following article can also be viewed at Home and Garden Easy.

Bed bugs in real life are not nearly as fun as the 1980’s Milton Bradley game, and no longer the subject of an amusing bedtime rhyme. Instead, as the number three buzzword in 2010 (Time Magazine), it’s clear that bed bugs are back and hungrier than ever. Here are a few tips to reduce your chance of getting bed bugs, and how to squash problems if they arise.

Keep a Lookout
Small bed bug populations are easier to control than large infestations. Know the signs of a bed bug problem, including itchy bites that were not present the night before, blood stains on sheets and black spots on mattresses, box-springs, walls and furniture near the bed. These stains are tiny drops of your blood that have been excreted by the bed bug. Remember, spiders, mosquitoes, black flies and even poison ivy can leave itchy welts – not all bites are bed bugs!

Stop the Spread
Bed bugs can be transported on just about any item, including clothes, backpacks, computers and furniture. With bed bugs popping up in theaters, department stores, transportation vehicles and offices, it is best to leave unneeded items at home. Hold on to handbags and jackets at the movies and on the train; you never know what lurks on the next seat. Be wary of used items, particularly those found on the roadside and in yard sales. Before entering your home, inspect yourself and personal items for bed bugs.

Hotel Safety
When arriving to a hotel, place items in the bathtub while you carefully inspect the bedroom. Pull back sheets and use a flashlight to look for black stains on the mattress, box-spring, and inside seams. If possible, check behind the headboard, on the nightstand and luggage rack. If you arrived on public transportation, be sure to check your luggage before placing it on the luggage rack. Never place clothing in dresser drawers, and never store your belongings on the bed. If you spot a bed bug, leave everything as is and report to hotel management.

Protect Your Home
Bed bug certified mattress encasements and pillow cases are a great idea. Both products eliminate folds and seams where bed bugs hide, their white color makes spotting a bed bug easy, and they can be used to save an infested mattress by preventing bed bugs from dispersing and biting. ClimbUp Insect Interceptors are available for purchase, and should be placed under the legs of beds, dressers or other furniture for early detection of bed bugs.

Debugging
Heat is the homeowner’s best weapon against bed bugs, but must be used correctly and safely. Placing clothing in a drier for 30 minutes on high heat will kill all stages of bed bugs, as will leaving items in the car on a hot summer day. A hair dryer can be used to inspect such as luggage, books and sneakers. Forcing hot air into cracks/crevices will cause bed bugs to disperse, at which point they can be squished (or collected and sent to your local pest management professional for identification). Steam machines can be purchased at low cost and used on certain types of furniture to kill bed bugs on contact.

Call the Professional
Large bed bug infestations should be handled by a pest management professional. The news abounds with stories of homeowners causing personal or property damage when attempting do-it-yourself bed bug control. Research local companies to determine who performs quality work, which is backed by a guaranteed of 60 days or more. Ask for labels of products that will be used and for a full description of what the treatment will entail.

Bed bugs represent one of the greatest challenges to the pest management professional today. Control of this insect is not easy, and treatment plans are often costly. By following these recommendations and being conscious of bed bugs, you can effectively prevent these pests from entering your home.