Bed Bugs
Did You Know?
• Coloradoisabedbughotspot!
• Bedbugshavebeenfoundinhotels,hospitals,collegedorms,airports,planes,movietheaters,homes,andinschools.
• Bedbugsmostlyfeedatnight.
• Adultbedbugscansurviveuptoayearandahalfwithoutfood.
• Bedbuginfestationsareveryhardtocontrol.
• Beaglescanbetrainedtosniffbedbugsout.
Above:Adultbedbug(Gary
Alpert,HarvardUniversity,Bugwood.
org)
Right:Bedbugeggs(Gary
Alpert,HarvardUniversity,Bugwood.
org)
IPMFactSheet3April2011
Colorado
PESTPRESS
Management Tools for a Healthy Learning EnvironmentSnug as a Bug in a Rug
Prevent Bed Bugs from Making Themselves Comfortable in your School
Thebedbug(Cimex lectularius)isanotoriouspestmakingitshomeinColorado.BedbugsnearlyvanishedintheUnitedStatesafterWorldWarII,existingonlyinsmall,isolatedpopulations.However,thebedbugpopulationhasbeenmakingacomebackintheUnitedStatesinthelastdecadeduetotheincreaseininternationaltravelandcommerce.
What do bed bugs look like?
Adultbedbugsarereddish-brownincolorwithoval-shapedbodiescoveredwithshort,goldenhairs.Theylackwingsandarethereforeunabletofly.Adultbedbugsareabout¼ofaninchinlength(aboutthesizeofapencileraser),withrelativelyflatbodies.Afterfeeding,theymayappeardarkredincolorandelongated.Becausethebedbugisverysimilarinappearancetothebatbug(C. pilosellus),anothermemberofthisblood-suckingfamilycommoninColorado,itisimportanttoseekprofessionalhelpforidentificationbeforetakingfurtheraction.
Intheaveragelifespanof10monthstooveroneyear,afemalemaylayfrom200to400eggs.Eggsarepearlywhiteandonlyabout1millimeterinlength(aboutthesizeofapinhead).Theyarelaidincrevices,inclustersof10to50,andhatchinabout10days.
Immaturebedbugslookverysimilartoadults,butaresmallerandlighterincolor.Theyoungreachadulthoodin5to8weeks.Theyshedtheirskinsfivetimesbeforebecomingadults.Youngbedbugsmusttakeabloodmealbeforetheycanshedtheirskinsandgrow.
Any products, services or organizations that are mentioned, shown or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by Colorado State University.
2011
Managing Bed Bugs with Integrated Pest Management
• Inspectandmonitorareaswithupholsteredfurnituresuchasthefacultylounge,officearea,andnurse’soffice.Potentialtroublespotsincludechildcarefacilitiesanddormitories.
• Inspectdonationsandlostandfounditems.Studentback-packsandcoatsmayharborbedbugsaswell.
• Removeclutter.Vacuumtoremovebedbugsanddebristhatmayserveasshelter.
• Disposeofinfestedclothingortreatitinahotdryer(140°F)foratleast20minutes.
• Eliminateshelterbysealingcracksandcreviceswithasilicone-basedsealant.Sealaroundutilityducts.
• Usingacombinationoftechniques,withproductsthatposethelowestrisktohealthandenvironment,ismosteffectiveinmanagingbedbugs.
• Spraying alone is not recommended.
For more info, check out:
Colorado School IPM:http://coloradoipmcenter.agsci.colostate.edu/
“Bat Bugs, Bed Bugs and Relatives”:http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05574.html
EPA IPM in Schools:www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm
ThankstoDr.DawnGouge,UniversityofArizona,forcompilingthisinformation.
Below:Bedbugbitesaresmall,red,anditchy(Fletcheretal.2002).
FeedingThecommonbedbugwillfeedonavarietyofanimals,butprefershumans.Theyfeedforabout10minutesatnight,whiletheirvictimissleeping,beforeretreatingbacktoashelteredcrevicetodigestthemeal.
The Bite
Initiallythebiteispainless.Bedbugsareknowntobitealloverthebody,especiallyexposedareasofskin.Typicallyaredbumpwillformatthefeedingsiteassociatedwithminorswellinganditching.Peopletendtohavearangeofreactionstobedbugbites—someareunaffectedwhileothersmaydevelopanallergicreaction.Fortunately,bedbugsareunabletotransmitdiseasetohumans.
Becausethereisnotanythinguniqueaboutabedbugbite,itisnotpossibletodiagnoseabedbuginfestationfromabitealone.Thepresenceofbedbugsmustbeconfirmedbyinspectingtheareacarefully.
Above:Darkspots(bedbug
excrement)onfurnitureareindicativeofbedbugs(GaryAlpert,HarvardUniversity,Bugwood.
org).
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