SLEEP TIGHT , DON’T LET THE BED BUGS BITE” “ SLEEP TIGHT , DON’T LET THE BED BUGS BITE” Introduction Name – History - Position Dean Geller- Technical Supervisor Integrated Pest Management Group Manitoba Housing

OUTLINE The Epidemic Bed Bug Phobia Bed Bug Identification Life Cycle Bed Bug Feeding Habits & Behaviour Habitat How Do You Know if You Have a Bed Bug Infestation Remediation and Control Protecting Yourself From an Infestation Questions

THE EPIDEMIC HOW WIDE SPREAD ARE BED BUGS? History Personal experience Decline of bed bugs Resurgence THE EPIDEMIC HOW WIDE SPREAD ARE BED BUGS?

WORLD DISTRIBUTION

Why are bed bug numbers increasing? The increase in numbers may be due to changes in modern pest control practices. This includes the use of insect-specific baits and gels, which do not work for bed bug control. The prohibition of previously successful pesticides. Pesticide resistant bed bugs More people are traveling which increases the chance of bringing the insect back in their luggage Use of second hand furniture or clothing Increased urbanization Poverty DDT, Chlordane (Chlorinated Hydro Carbon) Lindane, Methoxychlor, Chlordicone still in use for termites

Bed Bug Phobia

True or False? Bed bugs do not spread disease - TRUE Bed bug are caused by poor sanitation or filthy conditions - FALSE Unlike lice and fleas, bed bugs do not live on people or animals - TRUE Bed bugs can’t jump or fly, so you can’t suddenly be infested with they just by being in a room that has them - TRUE Bed bugs are restricted to the poor. FALSE, anyone can get them

IDENTIFICATION WHAT ARE BED BUGS? Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely on the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs look a lot like wood ticks Humans are the primary host. Bed bugs will feed on rodents or birds when a human blood meal is not available. There are other similar types of bugs – Bat bugs

IDENTIFICATION Bed Bugs – Size – Shape – Colour There are seven stages to the life of a bed bug: Eggs are 1.5 mm in length and are white in colour Hatchlings or 1st Instar nymph are clear in colour before feeding and are 1.5 mm in length (size of a poppy seed) Adults are brown to red in colour, oval in shape and flat when viewed from the side. (thickness of one credit card before feeding and 3 credit cards after feeding) Adults are approximately 5.5 mm in length (size of an apple seed)

Instar Bed Bug Nymph On Finger

BED BUGS BEFORE AND AFTER FEEDING

BED BUG LIFE CYCLE 7 Stages for a bed bug Egg – 1 mm (impervious to insecticide while inside) First stage larvae – 1.5 mm Second stage larvae – 2.0 mm Third Stage larvae – 2.5 mm Fourth stage larvae – 3.0 mm Fifth stage larvae – 4.5 mm Adult Stage – 5.5 mm (size of an apple seed, able to procreate) With each stage there is a required blood meal and then a moulting

BED BUG LIFE CYCLE Life Cycle Females lay ~200 eggs Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks Nymphs start to feed immediately Nymph stage is 14-30 days Entire life cycle is 4-9 weeks(in a perfect world!) Adults may survive up to 18 months or more without feeding

Bed Bugs – Cimex Lectularius Bed bugs have an unusual mating behaviour that is known as traumatic insemination. The male bug penetrates the females body with a modified copulatory organ called a paramere Females lay 200 to 500 eggs in life cycle These eggs are laid over multiple days and multiple places Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks

Bed Bug Feeding Habits Bed bugs are most active at night, but are opportunists who will feed if necessary during the day depending on the sedentary habits of the host. They are attracted to heat (body warmth) and Co2, i.e. Breathing The feed mainly on human blood and feed for 3 to 10 minutes Their bite is painless and may result in a small red itchy bump. Unlike fleas or lice, bed bugs do not live on people, but only visit them to feed. After feeding, bed bugs generally crawl to a hiding place to digest their meal and molt to the next life cycle stage. Bed bugs that develop solely on human hosts are usually moved from one location to the next on infested furniture, bedding and/or transfer by humans The may migrate in multi-unit buildings to other suites along heating/plumbing/electrical conduits or pipes. Note 30-50% of population does NOT react to bed bug bites!

The bite of bed bugs are often painless, but a toxic saliva injected during feeding could later cause severe itching and an inflamed welt or sore. Sensitivity to bed bug bites can vary from person to person. It is estimated that 30-50% of people DO NOT react to bed bug bites so an infestation can be allowed to grow unchecked for an extended period of time resulting in potential dispersal in a multi-unit building. Scratching the bitten areas can lead to an infection, that may possibly require medical attention. Often, a series of two to three welts are produced in close proximity following feeding by bed bugs. BED BUG BITES #2

Bed bug bites over top a birthmark

HABITAT Bed bugs do not live on people although they sometimes unintentionally hitchhike. They hide in cracks & crevasses where they won’t be disturbed. Bed bug like to be close to their blood source, but they will travel when necessary. Up to 20 feet in both directions in a night.

Bed Bugs around and in joint in table leg

Bed Buds in the Cording of a Mattress

Bed bugs in the fold of the mattress

How Do You Know if You Have Bed Bugs? Is there physical evidence of an infestation? Are you or the occupants being bitten? Are there blood spots on your bedding or clothing? Are you finding feces, moulted skin? Do you notice an offensive, sweet, musty odour which comes from a bedbug’s scent glands?

Bed Bug Inspection During the day, bed bugs tend to hide close to where they feed; for example, where people sleep. Bedbugs are attracted by heat(body) and Co2(breathing) Bedbugs do not have nests, but they do tend to gather and hide in routine places. If bedbugs are present, there will be dark spotting and staining on your sheets, mattress, pillow, carpets and clothing.

Bed Bug Inspection Pull drawers out of dressers and check the inside. Check under lamps on nightstands Check cracks and crevices along baseboards and walls. Check torn or loose wallpaper, decorative borders, and behind paintings and pictures. Check the seams of your mattress and/or boxspring Conceivably check any crack the width of a credit card

Bed bugs under fabric of futon

Bed bugs on box spring liner

Prior to Extermination Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Prior to Extermination Reduce clutter and hoarding Regular vacuuming and bag removal Use hot water to wash soiled laundry or alternatively dry clean. Dry clothing in the dryer for about 20-30 minutes on high heat Use climb-up interceptors around the legs of the bed. Double sided taped also works Install bed bug proof mattress covers and encasements Move furnishings away from the perimeter of the room

Preparation Guidelines It is very important that tenants follow the preparation guidelines provided by their landlord or hired pest control contractor. Proper preparation is key to reducing to eradicating bed bugs. Provides access to all areas for treatment Removes harbourage locations Reduces physical activity at location

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Extermination Mechanical Is the physical killing or removal of bed bugs Is the exclusion or encapsulating of bed bugs Chemical Spraying of the suite or bed bugs using contact and/or residual chemical plus in some cases, use of insecticide dust. Heat Heat the building and contents to a minimum of 120F / 49C. Contents could also be heat treated off-site. Time consuming Control practices Spray, liquid, and dust products are available at retail stores. It is very important to ensure the products are specifically registered for bed bugs. Directions for use of chemical products should be followed carefully. More than one application will likely be necessary. owners and occupants have important pre-treatment responsibilities. Reducing clutter is a necessity. Belongings strewn about rooms afford many places for bed bugs to hide, and impedes inspection and treatment

Extermination Take Time Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Extermination Take Time Plan your attack!!! Tenants generally require 5-8 days of advance notice and may require outside agencies for assistance. Extermination usually requires more than one visit and may take weeks or months or even years PREPARATION is KEY!!!

How can bed bug problems be prevented? The best way to prevent bed bug problems is to keep them out of your home in the first place. Do not bring infested items into your home. Closely check or inspect your luggage or the and clothing, Check the luggage and clothing of your guests, especially after travel to other countries Be wary of second hand furniture and clothing and inspect them very carefully before bringing them into your home. Remove or destroy wild animal roosts and bird nests in or on your house. The best way to prevent bed bug problems is to keep them out of your home in the first place. Do not bring infested items into your home. Closely check or inspect your luggage or the and clothing, Check the luggage and clothing of your guests, especially after travel to other countries Be wary of second hand furniture and clothing and inspect them very carefully before bringing them into your home. Remove or destroy wild animal roosts and bird nests in or on your house. Use Billy the Bed Bug brochures…!

Visiting and don’t know if there are Bed Bugs? Observe Certain Personal Precautions Do not sit on upholstered furniture if you think the location has a bed bug concern. Stay to hard chairs Do not place your purse, jacket, bag, etc on the furniture or even set it down on the floor Ensure that the room is brightly lit Do not wear loose clothing with cuffs. In badly infested homes or suites wear a tyvex suit with tyvex foot wear. Upon return to home, have a clean change of clothes available to change into, place your soiled clothing directly into a sealed plastic bag before entering your home. Run clothes wash and dry asap using hot water and a medium to medium-hot dry cycle.

Bed Bug Resources and Websites Province of Manitoba Bed Bug Website – www.manitoba.ca/bedbugs , ph. 1-855-3MB- BUGS(1-855-362-2847) or email: bedbugs@gov.mb.ca www.bedbugger.com (US website) Province of Ontario site – www.bedbugsinfo.ca Google Dr. Michael F Potter of the University of Kentucky or Dr. Lou Sorkin, Entomologist from American Museum of Natural History www.bedbugcentral.com (US website)

QUESTIONS Who will you be sleeping with tonight? Dean Geller Technical Supervisor IPMG-Manitoba Housing