We have all heard it, “Sleep tight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite”. Up until about five years ago having bed bug bites was relatively unheard of. In fact, many people especially if they were born after 1965 had never seen a bed bug. However over the last few years bed bugs have made resurgence in North America. There are many theories behind this resurgence but these are generally just that; theories.
Here is what we know for sure:
- Though in North American Bed Bugs have not been a real issue for the last 45 years, they never really went away in many parts of the world. Especially in developing nations.
- It is suspected by many that bed bugs made their way back into our society in part due to overseas travel.
- Bed bugs can build a resistance to some commonly used insecticides in a very short period of time. (This basically means that as the bed bug colony reproduces, the offspring will develop an ability to resist the effects of certain insecticides.)
- Generally colonies range in size from double digits up to several hundred; however, there can be multiple nesting sites in one home, office, hotel or other establishment.
- Bed bugs can live for a very long time without a blood meal. At Modern Pest Control we had a sample live for six months in a bag without food or fresh oxygen.
- Just like German cockroaches fleas and ticks, bed bugs can travel from one location to another and a person’s clothing, luggage, coats, shoes, and ladies purses just to name a few.
- As their name suggests they are typically found in bed room areas but can be found anywhere people sit and rest.
The reason bed bugs are often times found in areas where people sit and rest is; like mosquitoes they are attracted by Carbon Dioxide. When a human lies in bed, the amount of carbon dioxide in the room goes up. This is the signal to the bed bug that it is time to eat. However, they are commonly found in couches, chairs and other furniture as well as beds. Bed bugs have been noted in larger infestations in urban areas. With internet technology we have new ways of tracking public opinion and concern, one interesting way is to analyze search term trends on your favorite internet search engine. In the case of Google, searches for the term “Bed Bug” have more than doubled since 2005. Search engine analysis also indicated where most of the searches are being entered.
Google notes that the regions of the world are searching Bed Bugs in this order.
Regions
1. Canada
2. United States
3. Australia
4. UK
5. India
Cities
1. Cincinnati, OH.
2. New York, NY.
3. Winnipeg, Man.
4. Newark, NJ.
5. Waterloo, Ont.
6. Reston, VA.
7. Denver, CO.
8. Toronto, ON
9. Vancouver, BC.
10. Philadelphia, PA.
So you may ask “How can I tell where the bed bugs are”? Well the short answer is you likely cannot. You have to really look for them. There won’t be much you can do about seeing them in stores, and offices. However, you can keep an eye on your own home, and thoroughly check hotels rooms as soon as you check in.
Places to check for bed bugs.
These are the steps for inspecting a room for Bed bugs.
Know what you are looking for.
- Bed bugs are mahogany in color and range from 1/8” to about ¼” in diameter.
- Bed bug evidence looks like little specs of blackish grey matter. It will be stuck to the walls and other place where bed bugs gather.
- Small spots of the grey to black matter under the piping around the mattress, under the folds of the box spring and possibly where the bed touched the wall
- Remove the sheets and bed coverings
- Pull the bed out from the wall
- Inspect around the piping of the mattress
- Inspect behind pictures above beds, and behind head boards that are fastened to the wall.
- Inspect along the floor wall junction, being sure to look under the base board as much as possible.
These are the common places where bed bugs will hide. However, they can rest anywhere that is within a few feet of common resting places for humans. The best protection is sanitation, and be aware of the area around you. If you see a small red mark on your skin after sleeping, don’t automatically blame bed bugs. It is possible it is a rash or mosquito bite but, you are your own advocate when it comes to bed bugs. Look for them and if you find them, please please please call a professional to eradicate them. When you do, get references from them and be prepared to pay for it. Most companies will treat bed bugs in a single family home starting at $400.
Factoid: In the 1950’s the Walt Disney Co. partnered with a chemical manufacturer to produce DDT impregnated wall paper. It was available with Mickey Mouse and Friends designs, intended to be used in nurseries.
Factoid: A common practice in the 1930’s was to submerge the legs of the beds in saucers full of kerosene. This acted as a moat, keeping the bed bugs out. (They can climb on the ceiling and drop off though)
Factoid: Another common practice for eradicating bed bugs in the 20th century was treating the seams of mattresses with kerosene.
The author Del Lawson serves as Vice President of Operations for Modern Pest Control, Houston TX. and can be reached at dlawson@modern-pest.com.
For more info visit http://www.modern-pest.com/.
Modern Pest control has provided pest control in Katy, Sugar Land, Pear Land, Richmond, Missouri City, Rosenberg, Stafford, Houston and the surrounding areas for over 50 years.
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