By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Warning: Reading this story may create an irresistible urge to itch.
The Wood County Health District is seeing an increase in the number of complaints on bed bugs.
Feeling itchy yet?
“Bed bugs were almost eradicated at one point, but they’ve been making a comeback,” said Tom Rutter, registered sanitarian with the health district. “It seems like bed bugs are becoming more and more prevalent each year.”
Some weeks the health district gets several complaints of the pesky bugs. “They’re pretty frequent,” Rutter said.
Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, are flat, and range from tan to dark brown. Their eggs may not be visible to the naked eye, but the adults are.
“Adult bed bugs are very visible,” Rutter said.
For the most part, bed bugs are nocturnal creatures. “They hide during the daytime. They come out at night to feed.”
The meal – you or your family members.
“They need a blood meal to reproduce,” Rutter said.
That’s where you come in.
A female bed bug can lay up to 12 eggs a day.
Consequently, it doesn’t take very long for a few bed bugs to turn into an infestation. If you see the little blood suckers during the day, then you can figure it’s a severe problem, Rutter said.
“I’ve seen some pretty bad infestations,” he said, in local apartments, houses and hotels. “It’s definitely something you want to react to right away and not let go.”
The bugs bite all over the body, but are not known to carry diseases. One of the biggest problems is psychological – once people have bed bugs, it’s difficult to shake that itchy feeling as they lay in bed, Rutter said.
In addition to spotting the bugs themselves, other telltale signs are blood spots on bedding or their fecal droppings.
Now, are you itchy?
Bed bugs get into homes by hitching rides on items like clothes, luggage or furniture.
“They are hitchhikers. They were brought in from somewhere,” Rutter said.
The following tips can prevent bed bugs from getting into your home in the first place.
- Never bring bed frames, mattresses, box springs or upholstered furniture found on the street into your home.
- Check all used or rented furniture for bed bugs.
- When traveling, inspect the bed and furniture. Keep suitcases off the floor and bed, and inspect them before you leave.
- If you suspect you have been around bed bugs, immediately wash and dry your clothing on hot settings or store it in a sealed plastic bag until you can.
- Seal cracks and crevices with caulk, even if you don’t have bed bugs. This will help prevent bed bugs and other pests from coming in.
But what if the bugs do get in? Then what?
The health district doesn’t de-bug homes, but they will point people in the right direction for help. Often, people are encouraged to contact licenses professionals.
However, if the problem is minimal, “there are things you can do on your own,” Rutter said.
“Vacuuming can go a long way in helping control infestations,” he said. But make sure if bed bugs are in the vacuum bag or canister, that you empty it in a trash bin with a closed lid.
Rutter advised that over the counter chemicals are available, but they also can be harmful if not used properly. “You’ve got to be really careful,” he said. “And you have to be persistent with treatments.”
The bed bug “bombs” or “foggers” have been found to be ineffective, he added.
For that reason, it’s often best to get professional help, Rutter said.
But even then, “there’s not one method or treatment that’s 100 percent effective,” he said.
Keeping a clean home is the best form of protection, but even then, bed bugs can find their way in. And if you think you have gotten rid of them, sometimes the little blood suckers show up again.
“They are a pretty resilient insect,” he said.
So as you are dozing off tonight in bed, sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.
