BED BUGS Sleep tight, dont let the Bed Bugs bite Not just your grandmas bedtime saying……… ICD Code133.0 Sonya Marlton, RN, MSN

W HAT ARE B ED B UGS C IMEX LECTULARIUS

S MALL INSECTS THAT FEED ON HUMAN BLOOD _______________________________ Adult bug size of an apple seed Non-flying Reddish brown in color, appearing more reddish after feeding on a blood meal

O RIGINS Not well established General notion that they are found in the bat's habitats as well as birds nest in North America, Europe and Australia

W HY ARE WE EXPERIENCING INCREASED B ED B UG INFESTATION IN THE U.S.? Increases in immigration and travel from the developing world Restrictions on the use of stronger pesticides specifically DDT Insect Resistance

W HERE DO THEY L IVE ? Environment

I DENTIFICATION BedbugDeer Tick

H OW TO I DENTIFY P RESENCE Check mattress and furniture seams for live or dead bugs, or feces

B EDBUGS ON MATTRESS

B EDBUGS ON BED FRAME

L IFE C YCLE 2 weeks for eggs to hatch 4 months for hatched eggs to become adult Adults live approximately 10 months Adult can live up to 12 months without eating

H OW DO THEY FIND YOU ? Carbon dioxide Each bed bug will feed every few days and then move back to their hiding place until they need to feed again

F EEDING H ABITS Bedbugs feed while you sleep, with peak biting activity just before dawn Bite several areas until full Feeding takes approximately 3 to 10 minutes Exposed body areas Face, neck, hands, legs, and arms

W HAT DOES A B ED B UG B ITE FEEL AND LOOK LIKE ? Itchy, red welts (histamine reaction to bite) Most redness will go away in 4 to 7 days Can be mis-diagnosed as mosquito bites, flea bites, or dermatitis

D O B ED B UGS C ARRY D ISEASE ? Bites are a nuisance Not know to Spread Disease Cause secondary infection from scratching Antihistamine or steroid creams for itching

D O THEY LIVE ON ANIMALS ? No They can bite animals They live in the environment Female bed bugs like to lay eggs on rough surfaces such as cardboard, like the back of a picture, or on fabric.

H OW TO GET RID OF THEM ? Professional Exterminator Clean Disinfect Eliminate hiding places Dont Use bug bombs Spray pesticides on surface of mattresses or sofas (only seems of mattress)

S TAYING IN H OTELS /L UGGAGE Check mattress seams, mattresses, furniture, and floor boards

H OTELS Keep luggage off of floor and zipped Wear pajamas that cover arms and legs Return home: Wash clothes and bedding in hot water, and dry on high heat Shake out suitcases

D ON T -B EWARE Scavenge beds and furniture that have seemingly been discarded and left by the curb for disposal, or behind places of business Used Mattresses Used Furniture

AWARENESS NOT FEAR

QUESTIONS

R EFERENCES Hill, C, A., MacDonald, J, F., (July, 2007), Bed bugs: biology and public health risk, retrieved from, pdf Kells, S, A., Hahn, J, (August 23, 2006), Prevention and control of bed bugs in residences: information for homeowners and tenants, retrieved from, dclothing/dk1022.html (Kells & Hahn, 2006, p.1) Mayo Clinic. (September 2, 2010). Bedbugs, retrieved from,