1. Bed Bugs 101: A Discussion on Identification, Detection and Solutions
Petersen Health Care

2. Agenda Bed Bug History The Resurgence Bed Bug Biology & Behavior
How Infestations Happen
Identifying Bed Bug Presence
What To Do

3. Bed Bug History
Bed bugs are believed to have been around even during the time of the cavemen.
Cave drawings have been found showing bugs and markings on people!

4. Bed Bug Resurgence There are several theories to explain the comeback:
Never really went away
Increase in international travel
Changes in pest control treatments and practices
Resistance to certain insecticides
Resale of second-hand goods
Lack of knowledge and experience

5. Bed Bug Biology & Behavior

6. Bed Bug Biology & Behavior
Broad, flat and oval shaped
Adults – 1/4” long, 1/8” wide
Color varies and can be clear, red,
mahogany, brown
Wing pads present, but does not fly or
jump
Moves quickly
4-segmented antennae
Piercing, sucking mouth parts

7. Bed Bug Biology & Behavior
Nocturnal
Huddle together
Prefers cracks & crevices on
warm surfaces like wood and
plaster
Hitchhikers – they do not live on
their hosts
Can live several months without
feeding

8. Bed Bug Biology & Behavior
Life Cycle – egg to egg, under
ideal conditions is 4-6 weeks
Ideal climate is 75-80%
relative humidity and 83-90° F
Can remain fully active at
45° F
Females lay up to 500 eggs in
lifetime
Excrement contains partially
digested blood that leaves
“rusty spots” in areas
Female
Male

9. Bed Bug Biology & Behavior
Goes through 5 phases on
way to maturity (“instars”)
Must have blood meal to
“molt” to next phase of
maturity
Can survive extended periods
without blood meal in
between each molt
Average life span 6-9 months
4 related species: Bed Bug,
Bat Bug, Swallow Bug and
Poultry Bug
egg to adult ~ 1 month
lifespan ~ 1 year

10. Bed Bugs at Various Life Stages

11. One bug can lead to many but cannot transmit disease:
Bed Bugs are naturally infected with
more than 20 human pathogens
Fortunately, they are not vectors for
any diseases or virus

12. How Infestations Happen
Bed Bugs arrive on your premises through:
Guests and their luggage
Staff
Second-hand furniture
Laundry services
External contractors
Neighboring properties
Clothing
Personal belongings

13. Potential Bed Bug Points of Contact
Hotels
Dorms
Vacation Rentals (realty)
Rental Centers
Health Departments
Yard Sales
Camps
State Parks (cabins)
Public Library
Theaters
Public Transportation
Goodwill Stores
Public Laundry
Common Areas
Dressing Rooms
Moving Vans
Community Centers

14. One Bug = Big Trouble Consequences for Your Business:
Customer complaints
Damage to brand or reputation
Loss of repeat business
Possible legal proceedings
Profit loss
Bad publicity

15. One Bug = Big Trouble Consequences for Individuals:
Emotional Consequences (mental scars)
Allergic reactions (physical scars)
Loss of sleep
Increased stress levels
Secondary infections
Inconvenience
Risk of taking them home
Lost property
Cost of treatment
Social stigma

16. Identifying Bed Bug Presence
Bed Bug Symptoms:
Adult, nymph or egg sightings
Blood spotting in bedding, on furniture, walls, etc.
Reports of bites
Skin castings
Characteristic sweet herbal odor

17. Identifying Bed Bug Presence
Where to look:
Mattresses, box springs, pillows, rolled seams, pillow-top folds, nail/staple holes, buttons, lifting straps, labels, corner protectors, rips/tears, needle holes, bed frames, wheel castors, bed posts, wood slats, headboards, foot boards, platforms, wood box frames, items under the bed, baseboards, crown moldings, window moldings, wall cracks, laundry baskets, service carts, wheel chairs, night stands, dressers, desks, curtains, curtain rods, venetian blinds, luggage racks, wall hangings, picture frames, mirrors, smoke detectors, sprinkler heads, thermostats, light fixtures, switch plates, receptacles, pet beds/cages, drawers, storage boxes, clutter, tv’s, stereos, alarm clocks, popcorn ceilings, carpet edges, loose wall paper, books, cd/dvd’s, upholstered furniture, chipped paint, etc.

18. Identifying Bed Bug Presence
Unlikely to see live bed bugs during
the day
Typically, in hiding spots
Instars are tiny and often blend in
Easier to inspect and find the stains
they leave behind

19. Keep an eye out for… The bugs themselves
Adults, nymphs, eggs (difficult to see)

20. Keep an eye out for… Fecal spotting
Rust colored, dried, dark deposits of bed bug excrement

21. What To Do… Educate yourself Prepare yourself Inspect regularly
What do they look like?
Where are they likely to be?
What if I find one?
Prepare yourself
Get a plan in place
Train the appropriate individuals in your organization how to respond
Conduct a Risk Assessment
Inspect regularly
Documentation
Stay ALERT

22. Policies & Practices to Identify and Prevent Reduce Bed Bug Infestations
Conduct a Risk Assessment
Bed bug introduction/re-introduction
Education for all staff and residents
Include – identification of live bed bugs, evidence, harborage areas, containment & isolation of infested items, how to prevent spread, how to inspect themselves.
Change mind-set and affect the “social stigma” associated with bed bugs.
Buy-in from all stake-holders.

23. Policies & Practices to Identify and Prevent Reduce Bed Bug Infestations
Monitors
Active – use an attractive to “lure” bed bugs to the monitor
Passive – effectiveness dependent on placement.
Encasements
Reduce harborage areas, reduces inspection time and improves accuracy.
Regular Inspections
Staff Inspections – Be alert and aware for every opportunity.
K9 Inspection.

24. What To Do When You Get The Call…
Protocol or Procedure Review/Creation
Reporting
In writing.
Date, unit number, location in the unit.
Preparation Sheet for treatment method.
Educate about re-introduction.
Inspect adjoining apartments.
Infested room
At risk room

25. What To Do… If you find Bed Bug evidence Don’t panic
Notify Person In Charge
Collect a specimen for positive ID
Quarantine the room and its contents
Be sensitive
Contact Your Local Pest Control Expert
Prep room for professional inspection and treatment
Investigate how they arrived
Never start control efforts prior to inspection by Pest Control Professional

26. What To Do… Inspect “At Risk” Rooms
Confirming Presence is not enough – Pest control professional must determine the extent of the infestation to prescribe the right treatment.
Infested room
At risk room

27. What To Do… Routine Bed Bug Inspections by Trained Staff for early
detection
Routine inspection of common areas such as laundry facilities, lobbies and community rooms by trained staff
A minimum of two property-wide canine inspections per year is recommended
Documentation of all inspections (keep a routine inspection log)

28. What To Do… Develop Protocol for Staff
Designate the responsibilities of each individual staff
member regarding Bed Bug management
Ongoing bed bug inspections of common areas
Procedures for responding to bed bug reports
Procedures for discarding large items
Resident preparations for bed bug treatments