1. The Human Health Effects Associated with Bed Bug Infestations
Arlette Hernandez
University of San Francisco

2. Objectives Explaining the biology of bed bugs.
Identifying infestations.
Examining the usage of Propoxur to eradicate bed bugs.
Determining the potential human health risks associated with bed bug bites.
Pereira, R. M., Taylor, A.S., Lehnert, M.P., & Koehler, P.G., (2012). Potential population growth and harmful effects on humans from bed bug populations exposed to different feeding regimes. The Royal Entomological Society, 27,

3. Biology of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a re-emerging public health problem in the United States because they are small insects that feed on human and animal blood to reproduce.
Bed bugs generally consume 3 mg of blood per week but can potentially consume more every 2 to 4 days.
Pereira, R. M., Taylor, A.S., Lehnert, M.P., & Koehler, P.G., (2012). Potential population growth and harmful effects on humans from bed bug populations exposed to different feeding regimes. The Royal Entomological Society, 27,

4. Human bed bugs change shape and color as they feed:

5. Bed bug after “bloodmeal”:

6. Bed bugs reproduce at alarming rates:
Lay eggs 3 to 5 days after the initial bloodmeal.
Have seven ovarioles leading to 14 eggs being developed simultaneously.
The mean maximum egg production = 35.3 eggs per week.
Hard to control because mortality rate is greater than 80%.
Can multiply even in locations with limited blood supply.
Pereira, R. M., Taylor, A.S., Lehnert, M.P., & Koehler, P.G., (2012). Potential population growth and harmful effects on humans from bed bug populations exposed to different feeding regimes. The Royal Entomological Society, 27,

7. Bed Bug Infestations:
Has become an epidemic in central, southwestern, and eastern regions of the United States.
Difficult to eradicate in low-income communities.
Difficult to detect bed bug infestation in senior housing.
Eddy, C., & Jones, S.C., (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: part 1, a call to action. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 8-14.

8. Survival Areas: ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE!
Easily speared to other locations through constant human traffic.
Theaters, stores, public transportation, classroom
Eddy, C., & Jones, S.C., (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: part 1, a call to action. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 8-14.

9. Bed bug blood smears on a wall inside an infested house:

10. Bed bugs in infested mattress:

11. Propoxur: Most common used chemical to eliminate bedbugs
Environmental Protection Agency made it illegal to use in locations were children are present.
Toxicity Category II = second highest category for oral exposure.
Toxicity Category III =dermal and inhalation exposure.
Berg, R. ( 2010). Bed bugs: the pesticide dilemma. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(10),

12. Acute toxicity: Coma Hypertension Trouble breathing Blurred vision
Lack of coordination
Twitching
Slurring of speech
Berg, R. ( 2010). Bed bugs: the pesticide dilemma. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(10),

13. Propoxur health risk to humans:
“Probable human carcinogen”
Causes cancer by inhalation
Causes death by cardiorespiratory depression
Harmful to fetus of pregnant woman
Berg, R. ( 2010). Bed bugs: the pesticide dilemma. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(10),

14. Bed bug health effects:
DO NOT TRANSMIT HUMAN DISEASE
Huntington, M. K., (2012). When bed bugs bite. The Journal of Family Practice, 61(7),

15. Human health reactions to bed bugs:
“ Cutaneous reactions”
Visible points in the location of the bite
Usually itch and resolve within a week
Bullous rashes can cause secondary infections
“ Systemic reactions”
Asthma
Hives
Anaphylaxis- whole body allergic reaction
Goddard, J., & deShazo, R., (2009). Bed bugs (cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites. American Medical Association, 301(13),

16. Bed bug bites:

17. If infestation is severe:
Develop anemia from the extensive amount of blood consumed by the bedbugs
Develop psychiatric problems
Anxiety
Obsession
Depression to the point of suicide
Huntington, M. K., (2012). When bed bugs bite. The Journal of Family Practice, 61(7),

18. Prevention Methods:
No known device or technique to effectively attract or trap bed bugs without causing health consequences.
Pest control and eradication is challenging due to insecticide and health concerns caused by pesticides.
Eddy, C., & Jones, S.C., (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: part 1, a call to action. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 8-14.

19. Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
Using monitoring devices
Removing clutter where bed bugs can hide
Applying heat treatment
Vacuuming
Sealing cracks and crevices to remove hiding places
Using non-chemical pesticides (such as diatomaceous earth)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) Parasites-bed bugs. Retrieved on November 25 from

20. Agencies responsible for policy change:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) Parasites-bed bugs. Retrieved on November 25 from

21. California bed bug law:
State Housing and Community Development- Bedding Law
“Beds in apartments and hotels that supply beds and bedding to renters must ensure that all bedding is clean and free of bedbugs. Linens must be changed before a new occupier occupies the unit. Hotel bedding must be changed before each new guest arrives.”
National Conference of legislatures, 2013
National Conference of State Legislation (2013). Sate bedbug laws. Retrieved on December 1, 2013 from

22. Call for Action!
Educating the general public, pest professionals and public health officials about bed bug identification
Following prevention methods
Prioritize IPM programs
Investigate funding opportunities to conduct more research
Share information and resources with other health professionals and housing authorities.

23. THANK YOU!

24. Reference:
Berg, R. ( 2010). Bed bugs: the pesticide dilemma. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(10),
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) Parasites-bed bugs. Retrieved on November 25 from
Eddy, C., & Jones, S.C., (2011). Bed bugs, public health, and social justice: part 1, a call to action. Journal of Environmental Health, 73(8), 8-14.
 Goddard, J., & deShazo, R., (2009). Bed bugs (cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites. American Medical Association, 301(13),
 Huntington, M. K., (2012). When bed bugs bite. The Journal of Family Practice, 61(7),
National Conference of State Legislation (2013). Sate bedbug laws. Retrieved on December 1, from laws.aspx#ca
 Pereira, R. M., Taylor, A.S., Lehnert, M.P., & Koehler, P.G., (2012). Potential population growth and harmful effects on humans from bed bug populations exposed to different feeding regimes. The Royal Entomological Society, 27,