1. Bringing Home the Bacon …but not the bugs.
Bed Bugs Get on Ya!
Mark D. Sheperdigian, BCE
Rose Pest Solutions
Troy, MI

2. Bed Bugs!
Of the attendees present, only 2 companies indicated that they do not perform bed bug work.
Of those attendees that do bed bug work, only 2 companies indicated that that they were aware of technicians/employees that had their homes infested by bed bugs brought in from working in bed bug accounts.
Of the 1000s of technicians represented, this suggests that getting bed bugs by going into infested environments is not as easy as once thought.

3. Bed Bugs! Reactions to bites may mild or non-existent.
Some people react harshly to bites.

4. Bed Bugs!

5. Basic Biology - Introductions
Not technically an infestation
One or several bugs present but not reproducing due to spatial separation or lack of a mated pair.
Except for gravid females, 1 bed bug cannot begin an infestation by itself.

6. Basic Biology Light Infestations 1 or 2 females and young immatures
Immatures seem to remain in proximity to female (this is conjecture based on observations and research is needed to confirm this behavior)

7. Basic Biology – Moderate Infestations
Multiple mated pairs
Rapidly expanding numbers of eggs and young
Small groups appear to have spread out from original parent, but still seem to remain in proximity to their cohort. (this is conjecture based on observations more research is needed to confirm this behavior)

8. Basic Biology – Heavy Infestations
Many groups spread through out one or more rooms.
Bugs can be seen out during the daylight hours

9. Basic Biology – Exploded Populations
Many reproducing groups through many or all rooms of the environment.
Individuals of all stages may be found crawling anywhere inside the environment.
Individuals may be leaving the environment and wandering to neighboring apartments/rooms/environments.
Anyone entering the environment is likely to leave with bugs hitchhiking on them or their gear

10. Evasive Techniques On the Job Coats left in the vehicle
Take in only what you need

11. Place equipment In a bag or a bucket on flat open surfaces
In good condition the bucket is too slick for bugs to climb
on flat open surfaces
kitchen floor
Bathroom floor

12. Heavy & Exploded Infestations

13. De-infesting Equipment
Left in a heat treatment
Sealed in a container

14. De-infesting your clothes
Before traveling far in to the home, uniforms can be placed immediately into the washer for a hot water wash and a dryer cycle.

15. Bed Bug Safe When bugs must be kept, use a polyethylene card file box
Too slick for bugs to climb out
Available at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby or similar stores

16. Support Your People
Most attendees indicated that they have a policy in place to support an employee that becomes infested to help them eliminate their bed bugs