WELCOME! Bed bugs have been a problem that’s plagued us for years, and it’s only increasing. Its time to be proactive and stop this spreading infestation. It’s time to bite back! Learn the facts about bed bugs in BASICS. You aren’t alone! Step into the shoes of another and experience different testimonies regarding bed bugs in STORIES. Find out exactly how to bite back and combat bed bugs in SPEAK UP. View easy and cheap bed bug busting and coping methods devised by professionals and people just like you in BEST PRACTICES. Looking for more? Check out our posters and informational videos in MEDIA.

Biology Environment Signs

Biology Bed bugs are small, flat oval looking insects. They are wingless insects about 1/5 of an inch in length. They are completely visible to the naked eye. An example can be seen on the right. The reason bed bugs are attracted to humans is because of the CO2 we exhale and the body heat we emanate. Their main source of food is our blood! All humans can get bed bugs, it has nothing to do with cleanliness. Bed Bugs are hitchhikers. They travel on personal possessions such as bedding, suitcases, backpacks, boxes, and furniture. Adult Bed bugs

Environment Bed bugs have a preference for porous materials such as wood and fabric. They hide in mattresses, in and on beds, in furniture, in cracks in the floor They can’t however climb plastic and metal. The diagram on the right shows most of the common hiding spots.

Signs It is vital to be able to quickly identify bed bugs and their presence. Here are some signs that can signal a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs leave brown and black fecal stains on walls, mattresses, and sheets. After bed bugs feed, they leave blood stains on bed sheets. Bed bugs leave an smell that is similar to almonds and wood. During the night when bed bugs feed, they will bite usually three times in a line on your body. These bites can look and feel similar to mosquito bites, or they may not itch at all, but the triple line pattern can be a useful way to identify bed bug bites.

Name: Kyle Walcott Age:64 Neighborhood: Evanston I woke up one day and noticed three large bug bites on my arm. I lived in my building for many years knowing it had a history of bed bugs. Because of this I conducted previous research on the issue and I knew that having bed bugs was nothing to be ashamed of. I broke my hip recently and I had limited mobility. In addition to having formal treatment from a pest control company, I reached out to my friends who helped me with tasks that were required of me by the exterminator such as bagging my clothes and clearing our my belongings. I am extremely grateful to my friends for helping me during this time, despite knowing I had bed bugs, and I’m proud of myself for not feeling ashamed and asking them for assistance. Name: Pratap Jayaram Age: 37 Neighborhood: Edgewater I found bed bugs hiding in my mattress in my small apartment unit. My neighbor was also infested with the bugs. I immigrated from Poland a few years ago and had no idea what bed bugs even were until my neighbor had the problem. When I found the bugs in my own apartment, I was extremely scared. I wanted to hide the problem because I was scared my neighbors would judge me, or I would get in trouble with my management. I did not know that by hiding the problem, I was only making the issue worse. Eventually one of my neighbors noticed bites on my neck and asked me about bed bugs, and I had to report the issue to management. They called a pest control company which took care of the issue immediately. However, because I waited so long, the bugs had spread into the walls making it much harder for the company to exterminate them. Submit your own testimony here

PreventionReportingSpeak up

Prevention The first component in speaking up and being proactive in the fight against bed bugs is prevention. These prevention methods are a preliminary way to combat bed bugs. Consider purchasing mattress encasements which will shield your mattress from bed bugs. Use furniture that has metal or plastic legs to prevent bed bugs from climbing up. Be sure to routinely check possible hiding places in your clothes and personal belongings, especially after traveling. Avoid clutter in your homes. Clutter makes it easier for the bugs to hide and harder for them to be detected/treated Vacuum often! Doing so removes any bed bugs potentially hiding in floor cracks or carpeting.

Reporting Even after taking preventative measures, you may still find yourself with bed bugs. The next component of speak up is to speak up! If you find any bed bugs, capture them and report them immediately! You may be feeling paranoid or anxious after finding them, but that’s okay its completely natural. Don’t be afraid to report the problem. The faster you report the problem and get it treated, you are helping reduce infestations from reoccurring or spreading. You’re not in danger of eviction if you report your bed bug problem! In fact, you are legally obligated to report it within 5 days and to cooperate with pest management professionals The landlord must respond to such reports within 10 days. Fines of up to $2000 are the consequences for tenants or landlords that do not comply. Call 311 (City Services) if your landlord is not responsive. If you want to improve bed bug education in your community, talk to your landlord about running a workshop about bed bugs. See Media for the materials and for a video example of what such a workshop might look like. Chicago passed a bed bug ordinance in 2013

Climb-Up Trap This trap is made from placing Vaseline in a cup that goes under your furniture legs and will trap any bed bugs trying to climb up the furniture. LINK to Video -Submitted by Marc Johnson Bite Remedy Sometimes bed bug bites can cause irritation and itchiness. Squeezing lemon juice onto the bites is a quick way to reduce inflammation and stop itchiness. -Submitted by Natalie Khoury What practices have you used yourself that have been effective? Submit your own here NOTE: These practices should NOT replace any professional treatment and should be used only as prevention or detection methods, or post treatment remedies. Be sure to contact your landlord (or pest control company if you are a homeowner) IMMEDIATELY if you find bed bugs or are suspicious of having them.

Posters

PSA Videos

Informational Flyer

Workshop Materials See the workshop guide here to learn how to conduct a workshop in your community