Bed Bug FAQ
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a small reddish-brown insect found worldwide, that live
by feeding off the blood of humans and other mammals, such as birds and bats. Bed bugs are wingless and nocturnal. Bed bugs are generally active only at dawn,
with a peak feeding period about an hour before sunrise. After feeding for about five minutes, the bug
returns to its hiding place.
Bites consist of a raised red bump or flat welt, and are often accompanied
by intense itching. The red bump or
welts are the result of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic contained in the
bedbug's saliva, which is inserted into the blood of the host. Bed bug bites may appear indistinguishable
from mosquito bites, though they tend to last for longer periods.
Bites may not become immediately visible, and can take up to 9 days to
appear. Bed bug bites tend to not have a
red dot in the center such as is characteristic of flea bites. A trait shared with flea bites, however, is
tendency towards arrangements of sequential bites. Bites are often aligned three in a row, giving
rise to the colloquialism "breakfast, lunch and dinner."
There have been no known cases of bed bugs passing disease from host
to host. Extensive testing has been done
in laboratory settings that also conclude that bed bugs are unlikely to pass
disease from one person to another. Therefore
bedbugs are less dangerous than some more common insects such as the flea.
How did we get bed bugs?
Bed bugs were originally brought to the United States by early
colonists from Europe. Bedbugs thrive in
places with high occupancy, such as hotels.
Bedbugs were believed to be altogether eradicated 50 years ago in the
United States and elsewhere with the widespread use of DDT. This
is no longer used and may account for the resurgence of these bugs in the US,
as might the increase in international travel.
Bed bugs may be found in homes, motels, hostels, movie theaters,
transportation depots and rest rooms. They
may be accidentally moved with clothes, suitcases, furniture and other personal
items. Bed bugs may also be transported
in second-hand or rental furniture. Bed
bugs do not fly or jump, but they move quickly over floors, walls, ceilings,
and furniture.
Anyone who comes in direct contact with bed bugs can carry them into
their homes. Bed bugs are equal
opportunity pests – they will infest anyone, anywhere. Infestations are not tied to unsanitary
living conditions; even world-class hotels have reported bed bug problems.
What is the treatment for bed bug bites?
It is important to note
that bed bugs do not carry any human diseases. Suggestions to treat the bites include:
- Resist the urge to scratch.
Scratching may only intensify the itch and cause and infection.
- Wash the bites with
antiseptic soap to reduce the risk of infection.
- Apply an ice pack frequently
to help relieve swelling.
- See your health care provider
if you develop an infection.
What happens when the exterminator comes to my room?
If your room, suite or apartment is confirmed to have bed bugs, the University’s
exterminator will come to treat your room. You will be required to bag and remove all
clothing and bedding prior to the treatment.
The treatment will likely consist of a few different approaches: A pesticide will be applied to locations
within your room that may harbor the bugs.
The exterminator may place glue boards in your room. These boards can be good detectives and show
the degree of success of the treatment. The
exterminator and/or Facilities Management will perform a THOROUGH and DETAILED
vacuuming of your room and belongings. All
of your room and items contained within it should be vacuumed on the outside
surface and each drawer, crevice, etc. must also be vacuumed. You will need to be out of your room during
treatment and for 2 hours after treatment is completed (expect around 4 hours).
Once you are permitted back in your room, you may unpack your laundry. This includes: mattress, bed frame, dresser, personal
furniture, desk and chair, books and bookshelf, window and frame, inside
closet, blinds, electrical equipment and computer, laundry basket, pictures,
posters, shoes and shoe boxes, clock and phone, area rugs, audio or video equipment,
mirror, cd/dvd cases, perimeter of room.
A follow-up treatment will occur 14 days after the initial
treatment. Rooms adjacent, above and
below will also be treated as a precaution.
When I travel, what can I do to reduce my risk of bringing these bugs back with me?
First, look at the room to seek potential hiding places for bedbugs,
such as carpet edges, mattress seams, pillow case linings, head boards, wall trim
or other tiny crack-like places bed bugs might hide.
Next, look specifically at the mattress seams for signs of bed bug activity:
droppings, eggs, bloodstains or even bed bugs themselves – hiding in tiny folds
and seam lines.
Never leave your clothing laying on the bed, or any location of
possible infestation. Instead, use
hangers or hooks capable of keeping all cloth distant from the floor or bed.
It’s also not a bad idea to elevate suitcases off the floor on a
luggage stand, tabletop or other hard surface.
Close your suitcase, travel bag, when you're not using it. This way, during
the night the bugs may move over top of your luggage with greater difficulty to
get inside. Elevate your luggage off the
floor to tables or chairs. These may
also be hiding places, but less likely.
Keep any bed bug you find (intact if possible) to show the hotel owner.
When you return from any travel (especially abroad) it is a good idea
to take your suitcase to the laundromat so you can wash ALL items before taking
the suitcase to your home, residence hall, etc. If you do your wash in hot water before
entering your residence, you will stop the spread of these bugs.
What SHOULD I do if I believe I have bed bugs?
Report your concern to your Residence Director (RD) ASAP. Be prepared to follow the written
instructions
prior
to treatment.
What SHOULDN'T I do if I believe I have bed bugs?
Don’t panic! Although bed bugs can be annoying, they can be battled safely
and successfully if you follow all guidelines given to you by Residence Life.
If you believe you have bed bugs, do NOT delay notifying your RD. If you let your RD know early on a business
day, the exterminator may be able to inspect your room the same day. If this is not possible, the exterminator
will come the next business day. Please
keep in mind that it is only possible to get service from the exterminator during
weekday business hours.
Do not apply pesticides on your own.
The University hires a licensed pest control operator to confirm the
infestation and to develop an integrated pest management plan.
Do not move your mattress or any
furniture out into the hallway.
Infested furniture can be cleaned and treated. Placing infested furniture (particularly
mattresses) into common areas or on the street may simply help spread bed bugs
to the rooms and suites of other students.
Do not go sleep in a friend’s room or in places off-campus. If you actually have bed bugs, you will only
spread them to others.