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An introduction to the bed bug problem in schools

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An introduction to the bed bug problem in schools

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    1. Michael Merchant, Ph.D., BCE Texas AgriLife Extension System Texas AgriLife Center at Dallas m-merchant@tamu.edu An introduction to the bed bug problem in schools

    2. Identification 4-5 mm-long (size of apple seed), mahogony-colored, wingless, flattened Pronotal bristles toothed (microscopic)

    4. Bedbugs Infestations increasing nationwide Adults approx. 3/16 inch-long Hide in cracks and crevices during day Previously fed adults can survive 6-7 months without human host Must feed on blood from humans, pets, birds or bats

    5. Why current infestation? Common pest prior to advent of modern insecticides Current resurgence likely due to multiple factors Increased international travel Loss of older insecticides that still work well Resistance to pyrethroids

    6. Bed bug feeding habits Prefer feeding during darkness Bites painless 50% of people with bed bug infestations may not know they are being bitten High risk of infestation moving from one apartment to adjacent apartment

    7. © Entomological Society of America This picture shows bed bugs and bed bug feces along the molding and behind where posters had been hung in a heavily infested apartment. The smears on the wall are where the residents attempted to crush the insects. Bed bugs may be found throughout rooms where people sleep and may move from one apartment to the next via wall voids. Fecal specks, like those seen on this electrical outlet, are a good clue to the presence of these insects in an infested room. Vacuuming, encasement of mattresses, and a thorough and careful crack and crevice treatment with appropriate pesticides is needed to eliminate such infestations. This picture shows bed bugs and bed bug feces along the molding and behind where posters had been hung in a heavily infested apartment. The smears on the wall are where the residents attempted to crush the insects. Bed bugs may be found throughout rooms where people sleep and may move from one apartment to the next via wall voids. Fecal specks, like those seen on this electrical outlet, are a good clue to the presence of these insects in an infested room. Vacuuming, encasement of mattresses, and a thorough and careful crack and crevice treatment with appropriate pesticides is needed to eliminate such infestations.

    9. Challenges with bed bugs Hiding places diverse 50% on or around bed Upholstered chairs, sofas, nightstands, dressers, other furniture Baseboards, under carpet tack strip, any small cracks, behind posters, clocks, etc. Replacing mattress more of a problem than a solution Mattress and box spring encasements the answer

    10. Challenges with bed bugs Control is expensive Labor-intensive Success highly dependent on customer cooperation Cleaning infested clothes Freeze 10-12 hours min. Hot-setting on drier 30 min. Hot wash 30 mins. (140o) Dry cleaning effective Pesticides not highly effective

    11. Pyrethroids and DDT Bed bugs initially highly controlled with DDT (1940s), but resistance documented within 8 years of DDT introduction By 1960s DDT and malathion largely eliminated bed bugs as common pest Resistance well-documented and widespread to DDT, pyrethroids Pyrethroids remain primary control tool for bed bugs in industry

    12. Challenges with bed bugs Bed bugs are excellent hitchikers Suitcases Clothing Backpacks Bed bugs are good runners

    13. Monitoring and detection Look for fecal specks and bugs around beds Headboards in hotels Mattresses in homes Sticky cards not very effective CO2 traps becoming more useful New passive monitoring traps

    14. Bed bug control for homeowners? Mattress and box spring encasements Vacuuming Bed post interceptors Thorough inspections Sterifab™ and similar products Diatomaceous earth

    15. The economics of bed bugs Bed bug treatment expensive $500-$1500+ per apartment Mattress encasements $50-$150 Apartment associations writing pre-lease agreements No bed bugs in prior apartments Pre-checks to ensure apartments are bed bug-free System rigged to discourage renters from reporting bed bugs

    16. Resources Insects in the City website http://citybugs.tamu.edu Do-it-yourself control options http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3012 Bed bugs and your apartment http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3013

    17. Resources Kentucky bed bugs factsheet http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp Virginia Bed bug fact sheet series (English and Spanish) http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticides/bedbugs-facts.shtml EPA bed bug site http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs

    18. Questions?

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