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The Hidden Enemy
By Eric C. Ratcliff
Bedbugs Are Back!
 Eradicated in the U.S. in the 30s with DDT
 Brought back into U.S. by travelers &
foreigners
 Now resistant to DDT & other pesticides
 Spread by transients & others
 Carried from place to place
 May now be found in any public place,
especially schools & day care centers
Historical Perspective
 Evolved with man & adapted to human
habitations
 Bedbugs are mentioned in ancient Egyptian &
Greek literature
 Introduced to North America by colonists from
Europe
The Enemy Revealed!
Adult Bedbug
Adult Bedbug
Actual Size
Bedbug Nymphs
Bedbugs eggs
Bedbug Eggs
Identification  size & shape
 Adults oval
 Adults about size of apple seed (1/4)
 1st stage nymphs < 1/10
 Flattened when unfed
 Swollen after feeding
 Eggs cylindrical & 1/32 long
Color
 Adult bedbugs are brown when unfed 
reddish brown after feeding
 Young nymphs are light brown when unfed 
red after feeding
 Eggs are off white
Bedbug Nymphs
Before Feeding After Feeding
Bedbug Life Cycle
 Female lays 1  12 eggs/day
 Eggs hatch in 6  17 days
 5 nymphal stages
 Development from egg to adult affected by
temperature  21 days at 86 deg F, 120 days at
65 deg F
 Live 12 to 18 months
 Need blood meal to breed & grow
Bedbugs the hidden enemy
Feeding Habits
 Nocturnal  hide during day & come out at
night to feed
 Feed only on blood  usually human blood
 Can feed on pets or other animals
 Sharp beak pierces skin
 Inject salivary fluid with anitcoagulant
 Adults feed 10 to 15 minutes
 Nymphs become engorged within 3 minutes
Bedbug Bite
 Bite is initially painless
 Allergic reaction in some people, i.e. welts &
severe itching
 Reaction may take 2 weeks
 No reaction in some people
 No evidence of disease transmission
 Can lead to anxiety & sleeplessness
Bedbug Bites
Nymph Feeding On Finger
Treatment of Bites
 Do not scratch  scratching can lead to
infection
 Wash affected areas  bedbugs defecate as
they feed
 Cortisone cream may be used to reduce
itching
Bedbugs
 Crawl, but not as fast as cockroaches
 Cannot fly, jump, or hop
 Tend to cluster together
 Able to hide in small cracks due to flattened
body
 May be seen during day if infestation is severe
 Prefer to lay eggs on rough surfaces
Bedbugs
 External  dont live on body
 Usually found near food source, i.e. where
people are sleeping or resting
 Can travel relatively long distances to feed
 Not caused by bad housekeeping or hygiene
 Poor housekeeping will hinder extermination
or make it virtually impossible
Hiding Places
 Mattress & box springs, especially seams
 Couches, easy chairs, & other furniture
 Behind baseboards & under carpet
 Electric outlets & switch plates
 Drapes, wallpaper, & picture frames
Hiding Places
 Peeling wallpaper
 Light fixtures
 Clothing
 Toys
 Nicknacks
 Anything else you can think of
Signs of Infestation
 Live & dead bedbugs
 Shed skins & egg shells
 Black fecal spots
 Blood stains from crushed bugs
Blood Smears
Bedbugs On Mattress Seam
Bedbugs on Carpet
Bedbugs Behind Baseboard
Bedbug Treatment
 Inform landlord ASAP
 Strongly recommend licensed professional
 Licensed professional must be hired if more
than 4 units in one place
 Eliminate clutter
 Check all possessions for bedbugs
 Pack up as much as possible
Treating With Pesticides
 Residual insecticides w/ pyrethroids
 Available at hardware stores
 Not as effective as restricted use pesticides
available to licensed applicators
 Must be labeled for use on bedbugs
 Follow directions on label  dont overdo it
 The label is the law
Treatment Methods
 No insecticides labeled for use on bedding
 Insecticides available for treating mattress
 Diatomaceous earth
 Beware of products sold on the internet
 Dispose of heavily infested items
 Killed by 120 degree heat
 More resistant to cold temperatures
Treatment Methods
 Wash bedding & clothing in hot water and/or
dry on high heat for 20 to 30 minutes
 Vacuum thoroughly  empty container or bag
 Remove and discard crushed bugs
 Steam heat for furniture
Treatment Methods
 Buy good quality mattress bags
 Check bed every day
 Use cups under bed legs
 Heat treatment
 Cold treatment
 Search & destroy
 Must be aggressive
Professional Exterminators
 Should treat every two weeks
 Once a month not sufficient
 Usually treat 2 to 3 times
 Will not treat if theres too much clutter
 Cost of treatment between landlord & tenant
Bedbug Prevention
 Be careful who you visit & who visits you
 Check used furniture before bringing it home
 Check book bags & purses
 Avoid sleepovers
 Seal cracks & holes
Prevention When Traveling
 Check hotel/motel room for bedbugs,
especially mattress, box spring, & headboard
 Dont unpack suitcases
 Place suitcases on rack
 After returning, check suitcases, clothing, &
other items before bringing inside
Tips for Home Care Visitors
 Dont sit on upholstered furniture
 Dont place bags on floor
 Dont bring in unnecessary items
 Wear disposable coveralls & booties
 Check for bedbugs after visit
 Change clothes before going home
Tips for Schools
 Educate parents & kids
 Encourage personal inspections
 Keep eyes peeled
 Separate coat storage
 Prohibit book bags
 Use clothes dryer if available
 Keep infested kids at home
Licensed Applicators
 Recommend maintenance personnel become
licensed pesticide applicators
 Licensing by Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
 Pay fee, study provided materials, take test
 Yearly renewal fee
 Recertification every three years
 www.agri.ohio.gov
Regulatory Agency
 Regulatory authority is CCGHD
 Sanitarian investigates written complaints
 Will issue orders if appropriate
 Cannot provide material assistance or funds
 Can provide information & training
Resource List
 www.ohioline.osu.edu
 www.clermonthealthdistrict.org
 www.odh.ohio.gov
 www.centralohiobedbugs.org
The End

More Related Content

Bedbugs the hidden enemy

  • 1. The Hidden Enemy By Eric C. Ratcliff
  • 2. Bedbugs Are Back! Eradicated in the U.S. in the 30s with DDT Brought back into U.S. by travelers & foreigners Now resistant to DDT & other pesticides Spread by transients & others Carried from place to place May now be found in any public place, especially schools & day care centers
  • 3. Historical Perspective Evolved with man & adapted to human habitations Bedbugs are mentioned in ancient Egyptian & Greek literature Introduced to North America by colonists from Europe
  • 9. Identification size & shape Adults oval Adults about size of apple seed (1/4) 1st stage nymphs < 1/10 Flattened when unfed Swollen after feeding Eggs cylindrical & 1/32 long
  • 10. Color Adult bedbugs are brown when unfed reddish brown after feeding Young nymphs are light brown when unfed red after feeding Eggs are off white
  • 12. Bedbug Life Cycle Female lays 1 12 eggs/day Eggs hatch in 6 17 days 5 nymphal stages Development from egg to adult affected by temperature 21 days at 86 deg F, 120 days at 65 deg F Live 12 to 18 months Need blood meal to breed & grow
  • 14. Feeding Habits Nocturnal hide during day & come out at night to feed Feed only on blood usually human blood Can feed on pets or other animals Sharp beak pierces skin Inject salivary fluid with anitcoagulant Adults feed 10 to 15 minutes Nymphs become engorged within 3 minutes
  • 15. Bedbug Bite Bite is initially painless Allergic reaction in some people, i.e. welts & severe itching Reaction may take 2 weeks No reaction in some people No evidence of disease transmission Can lead to anxiety & sleeplessness
  • 18. Treatment of Bites Do not scratch scratching can lead to infection Wash affected areas bedbugs defecate as they feed Cortisone cream may be used to reduce itching
  • 19. Bedbugs Crawl, but not as fast as cockroaches Cannot fly, jump, or hop Tend to cluster together Able to hide in small cracks due to flattened body May be seen during day if infestation is severe Prefer to lay eggs on rough surfaces
  • 20. Bedbugs External dont live on body Usually found near food source, i.e. where people are sleeping or resting Can travel relatively long distances to feed Not caused by bad housekeeping or hygiene Poor housekeeping will hinder extermination or make it virtually impossible
  • 21. Hiding Places Mattress & box springs, especially seams Couches, easy chairs, & other furniture Behind baseboards & under carpet Electric outlets & switch plates Drapes, wallpaper, & picture frames
  • 22. Hiding Places Peeling wallpaper Light fixtures Clothing Toys Nicknacks Anything else you can think of
  • 23. Signs of Infestation Live & dead bedbugs Shed skins & egg shells Black fecal spots Blood stains from crushed bugs Blood Smears
  • 27. Bedbug Treatment Inform landlord ASAP Strongly recommend licensed professional Licensed professional must be hired if more than 4 units in one place Eliminate clutter Check all possessions for bedbugs Pack up as much as possible
  • 28. Treating With Pesticides Residual insecticides w/ pyrethroids Available at hardware stores Not as effective as restricted use pesticides available to licensed applicators Must be labeled for use on bedbugs Follow directions on label dont overdo it The label is the law
  • 29. Treatment Methods No insecticides labeled for use on bedding Insecticides available for treating mattress Diatomaceous earth Beware of products sold on the internet Dispose of heavily infested items Killed by 120 degree heat More resistant to cold temperatures
  • 30. Treatment Methods Wash bedding & clothing in hot water and/or dry on high heat for 20 to 30 minutes Vacuum thoroughly empty container or bag Remove and discard crushed bugs Steam heat for furniture
  • 31. Treatment Methods Buy good quality mattress bags Check bed every day Use cups under bed legs Heat treatment Cold treatment Search & destroy Must be aggressive
  • 32. Professional Exterminators Should treat every two weeks Once a month not sufficient Usually treat 2 to 3 times Will not treat if theres too much clutter Cost of treatment between landlord & tenant
  • 33. Bedbug Prevention Be careful who you visit & who visits you Check used furniture before bringing it home Check book bags & purses Avoid sleepovers Seal cracks & holes
  • 34. Prevention When Traveling Check hotel/motel room for bedbugs, especially mattress, box spring, & headboard Dont unpack suitcases Place suitcases on rack After returning, check suitcases, clothing, & other items before bringing inside
  • 35. Tips for Home Care Visitors Dont sit on upholstered furniture Dont place bags on floor Dont bring in unnecessary items Wear disposable coveralls & booties Check for bedbugs after visit Change clothes before going home
  • 36. Tips for Schools Educate parents & kids Encourage personal inspections Keep eyes peeled Separate coat storage Prohibit book bags Use clothes dryer if available Keep infested kids at home
  • 37. Licensed Applicators Recommend maintenance personnel become licensed pesticide applicators Licensing by Ohio Dept. of Agriculture Pay fee, study provided materials, take test Yearly renewal fee Recertification every three years www.agri.ohio.gov
  • 38. Regulatory Agency Regulatory authority is CCGHD Sanitarian investigates written complaints Will issue orders if appropriate Cannot provide material assistance or funds Can provide information & training
  • 39. Resource List www.ohioline.osu.edu www.clermonthealthdistrict.org www.odh.ohio.gov www.centralohiobedbugs.org