bed bugs: the basics - ccchd · bed bugs are notcaused by a lack of cleanliness. they can infest...
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Bed Bugs:The Basics
Dustin Ratliff, S.I.T.Division of Environmental HealthClark County Combined Health
District
Origins of Bed Bugs
• Human habitat• Bat bugs vs bed bugs
• Similar, but different
• Earliest mention in Greece c. 400 BCE
• Pliny’s Natural Historyc. 77 CE• Stated medicinal
value• Common until mid
20th century• Pesticides:
• Zyklon Discoids• DDT
RESURGANCE
Contributing Factors:•International Travel•Pesticide regulation•Resistance
International Travel
• Bed Bugs Are Hitchhikers
Pesticide Regulation
• DDT –Environmental impact
• Chemicals for residential use were replaced with baits that will not work with bed bugs
Pesticide Regulation
Pesticide Regulation
Resistance•Resistance evident as far back as 1950’s
•DDT resistance reported by WHO in 1980, even earlier in military circles
•Current pesticides that are licensed to be used are losing their effectiveness due to resistance
Identification
Identification• Adults 1/4 to 3/8” long• Brown to reddish brown• Oval shaped and flattened• Wings undeveloped• Mouth beak‐like, hidden
Identification
Behavior ‐ Dispersal•Mating by traumatic insemination• Repeated TI reduces lifespan and offspring• Dispersal away from males increases lifespan and # offspring
Behavior ‐ Hiding• Bed bugs do not fly, but move quickly• Seek refuge during daylight in dark, protected areas
In heavy infestation, you may see them during the day • Prefer dry fabric, wood, and paper surfaces• Prefer to take residence in cracks and crevices
Behavior ‐ Feeding• Bite is usually painless, due to anesthetic quality of saliva• Feeds mostly at night on exposed skin• Feed for 3‐10 minutes, then crawl away to hide and digest blood meal• Attracted to CO2 and ambient body temperature•Morphological change over course of feeding
Disease Transmission• Favorable Characteristics:
Obligate blood feedersNo less than 5 blood meals to become adultClose association with humans
• Can harbor > 40 human pathogens in the lab
• ~50 years of no research compared to other insects
• However, evidence for transmission is lacking1963, Monograph of Cimicidae (1966) by Robert Usinger
1960‐2008, JAMA (2009) review by Jerome Goddard & Richard deSHazo
Health Consequences• Saliva can cause reaction similar to other insect bites
Often a delayed reactionCommonly seen as a row of welts
• May cause restless sleep, chronic sleep deprivation, emotional stress
• Secondary infections from scratching bitesMRSEVRE
• Cost of control means many must live with infestation
Difficulty in Bite ID
Difficulty in Bite ID
Bed Bugs
Chiggers
FleasScabies
Indirect Health Outcomes•Misuse of chemicals
Two fires in Cincinnati, result of homeowner/renter applications
•Exposure IssuesRepeated applicationsMis‐treatment
Inspections• Blood stains from crushed bugs• Fecal spots • Shed skins, egg shells, bugs• Offensive, sweet, musty odor
Use of dogs (~90% Effective)
Inspections
Inspections
Inspections – PPE•Be sure to always carry a flashlight when doing an inspection or conducting a home visit
•Pay close attention during the inspection process as to where items are left and what surfaces your clothes contact
•Conduct a self inspection of clothing after leaving the home
•When appropriate, wear PPE such as gloves and booties
Inspections – Exposed?•“Scrub in, scrub out”
•If an exposure to bed bugs is suspected, remove clothing and put it into a trash bag before entering your home
•Launder clothing on high heat for at least 30 minutes
•If an exposure is suspected to have occurred in the field, and you are not a smoker, spray pants legs or other suspected area of exposure with 70% or higher denatured alcohol
•Be sure to wait until the smell has dissipated to conduct further home visits or inspections
Prevention•Do not bring infested items into a residence
•Inspect clothing and baggage of travelers
•Inspect any secondhand furniture before it is brought in
Prevention ‐ Traveling
•Pull‐back bedding to check for fecal spots•Check the underside of the bed skirt•Look for signs on the bed frame and headboard•Open nightstand drawers and look along the edges•Check along baseboards
Make it part of your routine to check hotel rooms for bed bugs
Prevention ‐ TravelingKeep clothes in your zipped suitcase
•Not in drawers•Closet OK
Keep your suitcase on luggage rack
•Don’t store suitcase on the bed, floor or on furniture
Bed Bug Control•Correctly identify the problem insect
•Use sanitation measures:
‐ Launder linens ‐ Remove clutter‐ Vacuum all cracks and crevices‐ Remove nests‐ Caulk and seal all cracks and crevices
•A Licensed Pest Control Operator may be required to eliminate the infestation
Control – Mattress Covers
Control – Self Treatment
Control – Self Treatment
Resources
Jeff WhiteJeff White’’s Bed Bug Blog:s Bed Bug Blog:
http://tv.bedbugcentral.comhttp://tv.bedbugcentral.com
Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force:Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force:
http://www.centralohiobedbugs.comhttp://www.centralohiobedbugs.com
Questions?REMEMBER:REMEMBER:
Bed bugs are Bed bugs are NOTNOT caused by a caused by a lack of cleanliness. They can lack of cleanliness. They can infest anyone of any infest anyone of any socioeconomic status. Bed bugs socioeconomic status. Bed bugs are a nuisance that can impact are a nuisance that can impact anyone that is unlucky enough anyone that is unlucky enough to come in their path. to come in their path. Prevention and surveillance are Prevention and surveillance are the most important means to the most important means to control bed bugs before they control bed bugs before they take residencetake residence
Contact Information
Dustin Ratliff, S.I.T.Division of Environmental HealthCCCHD529 East Home RoadSpringfield, Ohio 45503
Phone: 937‐390‐5600 ext 287Fax: 937‐390‐5625E‐mail: [email protected]