1. Bed Bug Detection and Management In Schools Dr
Bed Bug Detection and Management In Schools Dr. Susan Jones Professor of Entomology

2. Bed Bugs In Schools BE PROACTIVE!!!!
Educate the school community on bed bugs
Promptly respond to a bed bug sighting

3. Presentation Outline Myths Habits Prevention Detection methods
Treatment options

4. Worldwide Resurgence of Bed Bugs Since
Late 1990s
SPAIN
CANADA
ENGLAND
AUSTRALIA 4

5. CDC & EPA Joint Statement
August 2010
CDC & EPA Joint Statement
Bed bugs are a pest of significant public health importance!

6. The Most Bed Bug-Infested Cities in the U.S.
2012
2013
January 2013
July 2013

7. Not caused by bad housekeeping!! BED BUGS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!
The Common Bed Bug
(Cimex lectularius)
Insects (true bugs)
Temporary external parasites
Feed only on blood
Prefer to feed on humans
Alternate hosts:
rodents, bats, birds,
pets (cats, dogs, etc.)
Not caused by bad housekeeping!!
BED BUGS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!

8. BED BUG HABITS Cannot fly Can walk very fast
Typically hide during the day in dark,
protected sites (esp. cracks & crevices)
Prefer fabric, wood, and paper surfaces
Can cling tightly to surfaces

9. Bed bugs are very good hitchhikers!
Clothing
Backpacks
Purses
Books
Other items carried into schools

10. --Bed Bug Hitchhikers—
in shoe tread

11. --Bed Bug Hitchhikers—
in walker & wheelchair
Photos courtesy of General Pest Control Co.

12. How do bed bugs travel? Hitchhiking Walking
down a hallway after dropping off an item
from an infested room to new territory
from one room to another via pipes, telephone, cable or electrical wires

13. Bed Bugs In Schools Brought in by students, staff, visitors, etc.
Bugs crawl into the school’s chairs, carpeting, equipment, etc.
A single bed bug does not warrant panic or school closure!

14. Control of Bed Bugs In Schools
Early identification is very important
Staff should be trained re. what to look for
Maintenance and cleaning crews should be on the lookout for telltale signs of bed bugs
Capture a bug for positive identification

15. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) FOR BED BUGS:
Correctly identify the pest +
Conduct a thorough inspection
Use sanitation measures
Apply insecticides to targeted sites

16. Takes repeated blood meals; Takes a blood meal then molts
LIFE CYCLE
OF THE
BED BUG
(Cimex lectularius)
Adult (male & female)
~0.26 inch (6.5 mm) long
Takes repeated blood meals;
life span ~1 to 1½ yrs
4th stage nymph
~0.12 inch (3 mm) long
Takes a blood meal then molts
2nd stage nymph
~0.08 inch (2 mm) long
Takes a blood meal
then molts
5th stage nymph
~0.18 inch (4.5 mm) long
Egg
~0.04 inch (1 mm) long
Glued in place
3rd stage nymph
~0.1 inch (2.5 mm) long
Note: These images depict bugs with a partly digested blood meal.
1st stage nymph
~0.06 inch (1.5 mm) long
© The Ohio State University
Dr. Susan C. Jones &
Benjamin R. Diehl

17. --IDENTIFICATION-- Shape and Size
Beak-like mouthparts
Oval shaped
Body flattened (unfed) to swollen (recently fed)
Adults: ~1/4 – 3/8 inch long
Youngest nymphs (immature bugs) are tiny (<<1/10 inch long)

18. --IDENTIFICATION-- Color
Youngest nymphs:
almost colorless (unfed)
crimson (recently fed)
Older nymphs and adults:
various shades of brown (unfed)
reddish brown (fed)

19. Adult Bed Bugs
Female Male

20. Bed Bug
(Cimex lectularius)
Bat Bug
(Cimex adjunctus)
eye

21. IDENTIFICATION SERVICES
Ohio State University Pest Diagnostic Clinic
Fee for identification services ($20 per insect sample)
ID wide variety of insects, arthropods, plant diseases, etc.
Online submission form:

22. Recognizing Bed Bug Bites
Skin reactions (avg = 7 of 10 people)
Redness
Welts
Itching
Resemble bites from other insects & arthropods
Typically no red spot at the center (such as with
fleas and black flies)
Typically occur on exposed skin
Neck and face; shoulders and arms; back; etc.
Rarely occur on the palms or soles (such as with
scabies mites)
Often occur in rows or groups
Confirmation based on finding bed bug evidence

23. Control of Bed Bugs In Schools
Prompt action is very important for bed bugs!

24. Downloadable Notification Letter For Adapting To Your School

25. Control of Bed Bugs In Schools
If a bed bug is positively identified…
Don’t panic. It’s not necessarily a sign of a bed bug infestation.
A pest control professional should conduct a thorough bed bug inspection.

26. Recognize the telltale signs of bed bugs!
Black fecal spots
Shed skins & eggshells
Live bed bugs (nymphs & adults)
Blood stains from crushed bugs
Welts on exposed skin
Distinctive “buggy” odor (in severe infestations)

27. Bed Bugs Behind A Hanging Picture

28. Tell-tale Signs of Bed Bugs in Furniture
bed frame

29. Tell-tale Signs of Bed Bugs Behind Baseboards

30. Tell-tale Signs of Bed Bugs in Electrical Outlets

31. --Bed Bug Inspection--
Bed Bug-Sniffing Dogs
Dog and handler should be
specially trained and certified
Dog requires daily training, too
The dog’s handler is important
Can have high accuracy
Enable rapid inspections
Expensive

32. Rutgers University Field Study ‘Detection Tools and Techniques’
Much variability among canine detection firms.
Can be a useful tool in large-scale inspections.
Rutgers University Field Study
August 2011
Canine team performance
(7 firms; 24 apts.)
Average
Range
Inspection time
150 minutes
min.
Cost
$750
$500-1,000
Detection rate
43%
11-83%
False positive rate (signaling bed bugs that weren’t there)
0-38%
‘Detection Tools and Techniques’
By: Changlu Wang and Richard Cooper

33. Overview of the Verifi™ Bed Bug Detector Components
--Active Monitoring Device--
PITFALL
Overview of the Verifi™ Bed Bug Detector Components
3 in
CO2 BOOSTER PACK (lasts for 24 hours) A
4 in
LURE (lasts for 90 days)
--Pheromone chamber
(mimics bed bug aggregation scent)
--Kairomone chamber (mimics host odor) B
5 in
PITFALL C
HARBORAGE D
front view
(cut away)
back view
ADHESIVE E

34. All Stages Of Bed Bugs Were Captured In The Verifi™ Detector Pitfall.
— OSU Research Study —
All Stages Of Bed Bugs Were Captured In The Verifi™ Detector Pitfall.

35. Some Bed Bugs Were Found On The Verifi™ Detector Harborage.
— OSU Research Study —
Some Bed Bugs Were Found On The Verifi™ Detector Harborage.
4 eggs
1 adult female

36. Comparison of Erroneous Results with
— OSU Research Study —
Comparison of Erroneous Results with
Canine Team, Dry Ice Trap, and Verifi™ Detector

37. --Passive Monitoring Devices--
Climbup™ Interceptor
Sticky Traps
Bed Bug Detector Trap

38. Control of Bed Bugs In Schools
If numerous bed bugs are identified…

39. Contact a professional pest control company to treat for bed bugs
ODA web site lists licensed pest mgt. companies and applicators
OH Dept. of Agriculture
Pesticide Regulation Section ;

40. (Typically are used to supplement additional treatment measures.)
Sanitation Measures
(Typically are used to supplement additional treatment measures.)

41. Some measures to help reduce the number of bed bugs:
Use a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner.
Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum cleaner.
It is useful to reduce the number of bed bugs. (A scraping action with the attachment is needed to remove eggs.)
It is useful for cracks & crevices.
Dispose of the vacuum bag afterwards.
Remember that an on-site vacuum can serve as a harborage for bed bugs.

42. Vacuuming to contain bed bugs

43. Some measures to help reduce the number of bed bugs:
Steaming
Photo courtesy of General Pest Control Co.
Commercial steam unit preferable
Dry steam preferable (less moisture)
Surface temperature should be
~176ºF (80ºC)
Steam immediately kills bed bugs & eggs
Requires working slowly and thoroughly
Steam can penetrate many fabrics & padding
Some materials too thick for heat transfer
Prolonged drying time (use fan, dehumidifier, natural ventilation)
No residual protection

44. Some measures to help reduce the number of bed bugs:
Launder bedding, clothing, etc.!
Wash in hot water (>120ºF, [50ºC])
Drier on hot setting (>30 minutes)

45. Treatment Options Heat treatment (whole structure, container)
Cold (usefulness is limited)
Insecticides
Residual products (dust, liquid, aerosols)
Fumigation (sulfuryl fluoride)

46. Containerized Heat Treatment
≥120º F for several hours
Portable Thermal Chamber

47. Whole Room Heat Treatment

48. Cold Treatment

49. What shouldn’t you do for a bed bug problem?
“Bug Bombs” (“foggers”) won’t control bed bug infestations
“Bug Bombs” may cause bed bugs
to scatter!!!
“Bug Bombs” can worsen the
bed bug problem!!

50. October 2012

51. cockroach feces
bed bugs nearby
cockroach shed skin

52. What shouldn’t you do for a bed bug problem?
Typically, you shouldn’t dispose of furniture.
Bed bugs will fall off the furniture as you are moving it, hence spreading the problem.
Infested furniture usually can be treated.
Bed bugs can quickly infest replacement furniture.
Items placed on the curb often are
picked up and reused, thereby
spreading bed bugs to other
households.

53. Grocery store insect sprays won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation!
BUYER BEWARE:
Grocery store insect sprays won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation!
Must be sprayed directly on the bed bugs (‘kills on contact’)
Most bugs are hiding and WILL NOT be
killed
Little or no residual activity (the chemical breaks down quickly)

54. Words of caution regarding “natural products” for bed bug control:
Exempt from EPA regulation
EPA requires no efficacy data
Claims often based on “satisfied customers”—ask for their research data and evaluate it carefully

55. BUYER BEWARE: Boric acid products don’t work!
Boric acid does not kill bed bugs.
Boric acid is a stomach poison that must be eaten by an insect.
Remember that bed bugs feed only on blood.

56. Some Basics of Bed Bug Management Using Insecticides
There is no single “magic bullet”.
A residual insecticide is necessary.
Control of a bed bug infestation typically takes several treatments.
It is important to use several different formulations, and often, several different insecticides.
Don’t keep using the same insecticide (rotate insecticide use)

57. Non-pyrethroid Insecticides For Use Against Bed Bugs
Active Ingredient
(insecticide class)
Product Name(s)
Imidacloprid + ß-cyfluthrin
(neonicotinoid + pyrethroid)
Temprid® SC
Chlorfenapyr
(halogenated pyrrole)
Phantom® SC
Phantom® PI
Acetamiprid + bifenthrin
Transport® Mikron
Transport® GHP
Thiamethoxam + λ-cyhalothrin
Tandem®
Dinotefuran + diatomaceous earth
(neonicotinoid + silica dioxide)
Prescription Treatment
Alpine® Dust
Alpine® PI

58. Some Insecticides Registered For Use Against Bed Bugs
Active
Ingredient
Product
Name
Miscellaneous Label
Notes
Diatomaceous earth
(=silica dioxide)
Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control
Safer® Brand Ant &
Crawling Insect Killer
Crack & crevice applications
Slow-acting
Residual (long-lasting) activity
Dusts should be applied in thin layers
DO NOT allow product to get wet or
it will permanently lose effectiveness
Caution: Avoid inhalation; wear a
dust mask during application
Pool grade DE should NEVER be used
for pest control. Pool grade DE contains crystalline silica and can be a respiratory hazard.
- Mattresses mentioned on label
Phenothrin
w/isopropanol
with synergist
Steri-fab®
Bedlam®
Steri-fab: General surface application
Bedlam: Mattresses mentioned on
label—emphasis on seams, tufts
and folds; spot applic. elsewhere
Contact insecticide, not a residual

59. Responding to a Bed Bug Incident at School
Obtain samples of the insect for positive ID
Arrange for professional inspection ASAP
Try to determine who has bed bug infestations at home so that you can offer guidance and suggestions:
Provide educational material on bed bugs
Communicate the importance of eliminating the bed bug infestation at home
Suggest limiting the number of items brought to school
Suggest storing school items inside a sealed container away from beds and upholstered furniture at home
Reference: L. J. Pinto, R. Cooper, & S. K. Kraft Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs. Pinto and Associates, Inc. Mechanicsville, MD.

60. Responding to a Bed Bug Incident at School
Have a trained individual (e.g., school nurse) inspect items that are brought into school
Be discreet
Be respectful
Be aware of unnecessary social stigmas
Inspect items prior to entering classrooms
Reference: L. J. Pinto, R. Cooper, & S. K. Kraft Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs. Pinto and Associates, Inc. Mechanicsville, MD.

61.
Presentations available for group trainings

62. For More Information http://ohioline.osu.edu OSU Extension
Fact Sheets:
HYG-2105 (Bed bugs)
HYG-2105A (Bat bugs)

63. Sleep tight, and don’t let the … … well, you know the rest
Thank You!
Sleep tight,
and don’t let the …
… well, you know the rest

64. BED BUG PREVENTION FOR TRAVELERS
Make it STANDARD PRACTICE to check for bed bugs in hotel/motel rooms!
Pull back the bedding and look for black fecal spots on mattress & box springs (especially seams)
Carefully examine the underside of the bed skirt
Look for bb signs along bed frame (especially head board)
Open nightstand drawers and look for bb signs along inner and outer edges
Look for bb signs along baseboards
DON’T STAY IN A ROOM THAT HAS BB SIGNS

65. BED BUG PREVENTION FOR TRAVELERS
Reduce the chances of getting bed bugs from hotel/motel rooms!
Keep clothes in your zipped suitcase
Don’t keep clothes in hotel chest-of-drawers
OK to hang clothes in closet
Don’t store your suitcase on the bed, floor, or upholstered furniture
Keep your suitcase on the luggage rack
(after first inspecting it for bb signs)
The bathroom (tub) is the best place to store your items!