Bed Bug Basics

1. Bed Bug Basics Laura Jesse Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic Donald Lewis Department of Entomology Iowa State University

2. Challenge of bed bugs Bed bugs are here to stay Bed bugs are expensive Bed bugs cannot be ignored Bed bugs are a big headache to anyone owning or managing rental properties, hotels, etc

3. Ancient History People, bats and bugs lived together in caves 250,000 to 100,000 years ago Europe and Middle East Samples from Egypt from 3500 years ago

4. History Concentrated in cities Increased urbanization (late 16th century) Heated buildings

5. History Introduced to North America with colonists 18th century � severe bed bug problems in English colonies not Native American villages Old sailing ships were notorious sources

6. Recent History Familiar to people of the early 1900s Up to one-third of residences in some cities Rated in the �top three pests� Steady decrease in mid-20th century DDT (?) Sanitation Standard of living Re-appearance in mid 1990s World-wide increase

7. Recent History What is the source of resurgence? Theory 1: they never went away doesn�t explain global resurgence doesn�t explain resistance Theory 2: source is from outside the USA

8. Cause of Recent Rise Insecticide resistance Change in pest control tactics Emergence of baits for ants, roaches Targeted pest control Bed bugs feed only on blood and are unaffected by baits Lack of awareness & precautions

9. Insecticide resistance When DDT was banned in 1972, bed bugs were already resistant and DDT was ineffective Cross resistance; Shared mode of action between pyrethroids and DDT Pyrethroid treatments against medical pests in tropical Africa, South America Mosquito control, bed nets

10. Recent Rise Showing up everywhere Homes (88.5%) apartment, condo, single-family Hotels/motels (67%) Dormitories (35%) Homeless shelters (31%) Office bldgs (17%) Hospitals (12%) Primary/secondary schools (10%)

11. Recent Rise �Atypical locations� Transportation (9%) Laundries (5%) Movie theaters (4%) Churches, day cares, libraries Retail stores, restaurants Locker rooms Prisons Doctor�s offices

12. Recent Rise Showing up everywhere (not just big cities)

13. ISU Experience First modern sample, early 1980s Rare samples through 1990s and 2002 Increase noted 2003 Now app 100 contacts per year

14. What are Bed Bugs? Cimex lectularius Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicidae

15. Bed Bugs Blood-feeding ectoparasite Completely dependent on humans Prefer to feed only on people Well adapted to homes Travel well with people Almost always introduced by our activities (introduced through personal items: luggage, purses, briefcases, etc.)

16. Bed Bug Description Up to 3/16 inch long Flattened, oval body Reddish brown in color Nymphs look like adults, but lighter brown

17. Bed Bug Life Cycle Simple life cycle 5 nymphal instars Nymph must have a blood meal before molting Nymphs are colorless at first

18. Life Cycle Under warm conditions (86o) egg to adult can take 21 days At 65o, 120 days Nymphs live several months without food

19. Bed Bug Habits Hide during the day Dark, protected cracks and crevices Prefer fabric, wood & paper surfaces Usually close to the host

20. Bed bugs �hiding� at ceiling / wall junction

21. Bed Bug Habits Blood feeders Nocturnal Elongated, sharp beak pierces the skin Anticoagulant injected 3 to 15 minutes to feed (nymphs less time) Crawl to hiding place to digest meal Feed about once a week

22. Blood Feeding Blood meal required to molt Blood meal required for egg production

23. Bed Bug Bites Usually on exposed skin � face, neck, extremities Impossible to diagnose insect from the bites Allergic reactions are to the saliva and vary by individual

24. Bed Bug Bites No disease transmission Medical significance: itching, discomfort, inflammation, sleeplessness, anxiety, embarrassment

25. Proper IdentificationBed Bug vs. Bat Bug Very similar in appearance Need a microscope Bat bugs feed on bats Bat bugs can also bite humans A problem in homes with bats or birds

26. Bed Bug Short stiff hairs on thorax Bat Bug Long, soft hairs on thorax

28. Bat Bugs Often found throughout home, not just near beds Usually not in large numbers Homes usually have bats roosting in the attic Often get reports of bat bugs in fall when bats migrate away Hungry bugs wander into home

29. Diagnosing from the bites Can�t diagnose bed bugs from the bite What if it is not bed bugs? Allergies Other insects Delusory parasitosis

30. Biting PestsObvious Cryptic Mosquitoes Ticks Lice Fleas Bat bug and Bed bug Masked hunter

31. Delusory Parasitosis Unexplained biting or crawling sensation Itching or irritation of unknown origin Fixation: insect or mite problem No arthropods present Insecticides of no benefit and possibly harmful

32. Detecting Bed Bugs Visual Nightwatch Monitors Climb-up Interceptors Sticky traps Scent detection canines

33. Visual Inspections Inactive during day Flattened bodies allow them to fit in tiny cracks Hide in crevices near where people sleep

34. Visual Inspections Limited in scope Can be effective in larger populations Requires a lot of time to take apart beds, dressers, etc. A typical apartment may take several hours to do a thorough visual inspection. Even with this thorough of an inspection, the accuracy rate is around 40%. Bed bugs are cryptic in nature which makes them very difficult to find.A typical apartment may take several hours to do a thorough visual inspection. Even with this thorough of an inspection, the accuracy rate is around 40%. Bed bugs are cryptic in nature which makes them very difficult to find.

35. Inspection generally small tight spaces near sleeping hosts where bugs will be undisturbed contain a mixture of adults and nymphs adults emit an aggregation substance

36. Inspection Signs of bed bugs Dark staining from excrement (sheets & hiding places) Shed skins Reddish blood spots on mattress Sweetish odor

37. Inspection Common hiding spots Mattress and box spring Headboard and bed frame Furniture near bed Under pictures Under outlet covers Under baseboards Upholstered chairs and sofas Inside clocks, phones, televisions, fire detectors Under loose wallpaper

40. Visual Inspection Several hours may be needed Up to 40% false negatives

41. Nightwatch Monitors Detects bed bugs early Uses bed bugs own instincts against them Mimics a human with C02, heat and a lure. Can take 5 to 7 days for a complete inspection Nightwatch monitors are up to 98% accurate in detecting live bed bugs. Typically they are placed by a bed or couch and left for 5 days to monitor the area for bed bugs. The drawback with this type of device is the time it takes to detect bed bugs. If someone suspects that they are being bitten, they usually want a quicker solution.Nightwatch monitors are up to 98% accurate in detecting live bed bugs. Typically they are placed by a bed or couch and left for 5 days to monitor the area for bed bugs. The drawback with this type of device is the time it takes to detect bed bugs. If someone suspects that they are being bitten, they usually want a quicker solution.

42. Climb-Up Interceptors A device for monitoring bed bugs, not control Creates a barrier between the bed and floor Climb-up interceptors are an inexpensive way to provide immediate relief for someone experiencing bed bugs. As long as the headboard is not touching the wall and the bedding is not touching the floor, the only way for bed bugs to try to get on the bed is to go up the legs. This trap works by letting the bed bugs climb up the outer wall and then fall in to an outer pitfall area in which they cannot climb up out of. Climb-up interceptors are an inexpensive way to provide immediate relief for someone experiencing bed bugs. As long as the headboard is not touching the wall and the bedding is not touching the floor, the only way for bed bugs to try to get on the bed is to go up the legs. This trap works by letting the bed bugs climb up the outer wall and then fall in to an outer pitfall area in which they cannot climb up out of.

43. Sticky Traps A passive detection system Used to trap bed bugs as they travel Is cost effective Can be used on a large scale project

44. Scent Detection Canines Minimal disturbance to the room Up to 98% accuracy Can be done quickly Can detect low population levels, as low as one viable egg or bed bug Scent detection canines are an extremely effective tool in the detection of bed bugs. What would normally take a trained professional hours to inspect, a certified scent detection canine can do in minutes. Typically it takes just a few minutes for a hotel room, 5-10 minutes for an apartment, and less than an hour for a whole house. Up to 75 apartments per day can be inspected. Extremely cluttered apartments and houses can greatly increase the amount of time for the canine to complete an inspection. Scent detection canines are an extremely effective tool in the detection of bed bugs. What would normally take a trained professional hours to inspect, a certified scent detection canine can do in minutes. Typically it takes just a few minutes for a hotel room, 5-10 minutes for an apartment, and less than an hour for a whole house. Up to 75 apartments per day can be inspected. Extremely cluttered apartments and houses can greatly increase the amount of time for the canine to complete an inspection.

45. Scent Detection Canines Scent detection canines are an extremely effective tool in the detection of bed bugs. What would normally take a trained professional hours to inspect, a certified scent detection canine can do in minutes. Typically it takes just a few minutes for a hotel room, 5-10 minutes for an apartment, and less than an hour for a whole house. Up to 75 apartments per day can be inspected. Extremely cluttered apartments and houses can greatly increase the amount of time for the canine to complete an inspection. Scent detection canines are an extremely effective tool in the detection of bed bugs. What would normally take a trained professional hours to inspect, a certified scent detection canine can do in minutes. Typically it takes just a few minutes for a hotel room, 5-10 minutes for an apartment, and less than an hour for a whole house. Up to 75 apartments per day can be inspected. Extremely cluttered apartments and houses can greatly increase the amount of time for the canine to complete an inspection.

46. Why are bed bugs hard to control? Bed bug�friendly furnishings (e.g., wooden bed frames) Lots of small places to hide Clutter Insecticide resistance

47. Bed BugTreatments Bed bugs are a challenge to eradicate Professionals needed Repeated treatment will be needed A good relationship with your pest control professional is important Do NOT discard furniture May not be necessary Greatly adds to cost Spreads the bed bugs

48. Control Techniques Chemical Thermal remediation Encasement Steam Freezing treatments

49. Chemical Limited success Requires tenant cooperation Must be thorough (treat everywhere!) Time consuming (up to 2 hours / apt) May take repeated treatments to achieve control Insecticide resistance concerns Health concerns (high volume of liquid)

50. Steam Kills on contact Very labor intensive Kills all life stages of bed bugs Limited success

51. Encasements Protects your bed from bed bugs Entombs bed bugs in the encasement Makes it easier to observe bed bugs Does not keep bed bugs from getting on the bed $50 - $100 Typically the cost is around $50 to encase a mattress or box spring.Typically the cost is around $50 to encase a mattress or box spring.

52. Thermal Remediation Non-toxic Uses dry heat to kill the all life stages of bed bugs Often combined with other control methods Reduces the need for insecticides

57. Treatment Different methods may be needed Communication key Between landlords/tennants Landlord/pest management Pest management/tenants Everyone has a role

58. DIY Treatments Do-It-Yourself treatments may be ineffective & potentially dangerous Desperate People Ammonia, bleach Fire Kerosene Household sprays and �bug bombs� Outdoor and agricultural insecticides

59. DIY Treatment Case History �Acute Illnesses Associated With Insecticides Used to Control Bed Bugs � Seven States, 2003-2010� CDC - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Sept 23, 2011 Excessive use of insecticides or + Use contrary to label directions = Potential for human toxicity

60. CDC Report 7 states: California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington. 111 illnesses associated with bed bug�related insecticide use 90 (81%) low severity 1 fatality

61. CDC Study Majority of exposures occurred among persons aged =25 years (67%) Majority of cases occurred at private residences (93%) 40% of cases occurred in multiunit housing 39% of pesticide applications were performed by occupants

62. CDC Study Health outcomes neurologic symptoms (40%) headache and dizziness respiratory symptoms (40%) upper respiratory tract pain and irritation gastrointestinal symptoms (33%) nausea and vomiting.

63. CDC Study About that fatality . . . . 65 year old woman with renal failure, myocardial infarction, type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and depression, and taking at least 10 medications

64. CDC Study About that fatality . . . . Husband applied binfenthrin to baseboards and walls bifenthrin (lawn & garden formulation) to mattress and box spring nine cans of flea fogger tetramethrin + cypermethrin

65. CDC Study About that fatality . . . . Reapplied everything 2 days later! Home not aired after fogging as labeled Woman applied flea insecticide to Arms, sores on her chest, and hair pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide Found nonresponsive and died 9 days later

66. Challenge of Bed Bugs Need to have a good understanding of the biology and life cycle Need careful inspection / detection and correct identification Need to integrate different control methods

67. Challenge of Bed Bugs Move easily with people Introduced through personal items: luggage, briefcases, boxes, belongings beds, furniture Expensive to treat Must eliminate, not control Embarrassing for those infested Psychologically difficult for those infested

68. How Do You Protect Yourself From Bed Bugs? Be vigilant but not obsessed when acquiring used furnishings Examine closely Launder and dry bedding, clothing, etc.

69. Protect From Bed Bugs while Travelling Check hotel room upon entry Seams of the mattress and box spring, especially at the head of the bed.

70. Protect From Bed Bugs while Travelling Check the edges of the head board

71. Protect From Bed Bugs while Travelling Use the luggage stand or put suitcase on the desk / dresser / table Back home, take clothing directly to washer & dryer Inspect & vacuum luggage

72. Thank you! Questions? Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic 327 Bessey Hall Ames, IA 50011 515/294-0581 www.clinic.ipm.iastate.edu pidc@iastate.edu