Bed Bugs

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius Linnaeus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cimicidae))

Introduction:

Sometimes referred to as "red coats," "chinches," or "mahogany flats" (USDA 1976), bed bugs, Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, are blood feeding parasites of humans, chickens, bats and occasionally domesticated animals
(Usinger 1966).

Bed bugs are suspected carriers of leprosy, oriental sore, Q-fever, and brucellosis (Krueger 2000) but have never been implicated in the spread of disease to humans (Dolling 1991). After the development and use of modern insecticides, such as DDT, bed bug infestations have virtually disappeared. However, since 1995, pest management professionals have noticed an increase in bed bug related complaints (Krueger 2000). Distribution Human dwellings, birds nests, and bat caves make the most suitable habitats for bed bugs since they offer warmth, areas to hide, and most importantly hosts on which to feed (Dolling 1991).

Bed bugs are not evenly distributed throughout the environment but are instead concentrated in harborages (Usinger 1966). Within human dwellings, harborages include cracks and crevices in walls, furniture, behind wallpaper and wood paneling, or under carpeting (Krueger 2000). Bed bugs are usually only active during night but will feed during the day when hungry (Usinger 1966). Bed bugs can be transported on clothing, in traveler's luggage, or in bedding and furniture (USDA 1976) but lack appendages to enable them to cling to hair, fur, or feathers, so are rarely found on hosts (Dolling 1991). Description The adult bed bug is a broadly flattened, ovoid, insect with greatly reduced wings (Schuh and Slater 1995). The reduced fore wings, or hemelytra, are broader than they are long, with a somewhat rectangular appearance. The sides of the pronotum are covered with short, stiff hairs (Furman and Catts 1970). Before feeding, bed bugs are usually brown in color and range from 6 to 9.5 mm in length. After feeding, the body is often swollen and red in color (USDA 1976).

The two bed bugs most important to man are the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, and the tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus. These two species of bed bugs can easily be distinguished by looking at the prothorax, the first segment of the thorax. The prothorax of the common bed bug is more expanded laterally and the extreme margins are more flattened than that of the tropical bed bug (Smith 1973).

Life Cycle:

Because of their confined living spaces, copulation among male and female bed bugs is difficult. The female possesses a secondary copulatory aperture, Ribaga's organ or paragenital sinus, on the fourth abdominal sternum where spermatozoa from the male are injected. The spermatozoa then migrate to the ovaries by passing through the haemocoel, or body cavity (Dolling 1991). The female bed bug lays approximately 200 eggs during her life span at a rate of one to 12 eggs per day (Krueger 2000). The eggs are laid on rough surfaces and coated with a transparent cement to adhere them to the substrate (Usinger 1966). Within six to 17 days bed bug nymphs, almost devoid of color, emerge from the eggs. After five molts, which takes approximately ten weeks, the nymphs reach maturity (USDA 1976). Survey and Management Bed bugs are most active at night, they are extremely shy and wary so their infestations are not easily located (Snetsinger 1997). However, when bed bugs are numerous, a foul odor from oily secretions can easily be detected (USDA 1976).

Preparation for Bedbugs Before Technicians Arrival:

Our successful strategy to deal with bed bugs is integrated pest management, which combines a variety of practical techniques and products that pose the lowest risk to our health and to the environment. All insecticides used by our company are state regulated and approved.

Advance Tech Pest Control’s Bed Bug eradication plan includes two treatments made at two week intervals and is as follows:

1. Inspection of the potentially infested unit.
2. Pre-treatment preparation instructions and educational literature provided to the client.
3. First treatment, which is extremely intense.
4. Second inspection/ treatment.
5. Follow-up inspection/ treatment if client reports additional bed bug activity or bites.

Preperation Checklist:

1.Strip the bed(s) and launder all sheets, pillowcases, mattress pads, and blankets.
2.Clean & organize. It is time to throw away things you do no need or want.
3.Remove everything from bedroom closet(s) and place in black plastic.
4.Remove everything from dresser drawers, nightstands and dressing tables and place in black plastic bags.
5.All clothing and fabrics Must laundered or dry cleaned.
6.Removed drapes, stuff animals, toys must be laundered, dry cleaned or replaced.
7.Remove all pets from the apartment. Air Filters on fish tanks must be turned off. All cages are to be covered.
8.Discard cardboard boxes, shoeboxes, paper and plastic bags, old newspaper, stacks of magazine, and similar items in rooms.
9.Vacuum all rooms. Beside the Floor, also vacuum mattresses, bedsprings, couches, chairs closet and closet shelves, shoes inside dresser draws and beside table drawers. Vacuum bags are to be places in plastic bag and discarded right after vacuum is complete.

Important Notes

-Discarding of any compromised (ripped, torn, etc.) material or heavily infested items may be required. Discarded items must be damaged and marked to prevent re-use.
-Tenant must dismantle bedframes or any other items requiring such.
Technicians will not dismantle any bedframes or items which require such.
-Should the box spring remain, removal of the cheesecloth underside is required for proper inspection and or application. The cheesecloth will not be reattached.
-Staining may occur as a result of the treatment contacting dry blood.
-A clutter free environment must be provided in order to allow access for the service technicians to treat all the needed areas.
-Any laundered items must be washed in hot water and dried in a high heat cycle.
-Avoid moving items from heavily infest rooms. area to other less infest rooms.
-Before re-entry all bagged items must be inspected for pest activity by client.
-Only pest control operators are permitted in the area during treatment.