Thursday, February 11, 2016

Info on Bed Bugs

**I just recieved these resources to increase awareness and knowledge on bed bugs (Unfortunately a problem many of our clients face in the ADCs). Feel free to share with ADC staff and patients! The below info is copied directly from the Hopkins email I received from Johns Hopkins Hospital. **

Bed Bug Information
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1mm to 7mm (roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny), and can live several months without a blood meal.

Where are bed bugs found?
Bed bug infestations usually occur around or near the areas where people sleep. These areas include apartments, shelters, rooming houses, hotels, cruise ships, buses, trains, and dorm rooms. They hide during the day in places such as seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, inside cracks or crevices, behind wallpaper, or any other clutter or objects around a bed. Bed bugs have been shown to be able to travel over 100 feet in a night but tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep.

Do bed bugs spread disease?
Bed bugs should not be considered as a medical or public health hazard. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

What health risks do bed bugs pose?
A bed bug bite affects each person differently. Bite responses can range from an absence of any physical signs of the bite, to a small bite mark, to a serious allergic reaction. Bed bugs are not considered to be dangerous; however, an allergic reaction to several bites may need medical attention.

What are the signs and symptoms of a bed bug infestation?
One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:
·       the bed bugs’ exoskeletons after molting
·       bed bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets
·       rusty–colored blood spots due to their blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture, and a sweet musty odor.

How do I know if I’ve been bitten by a bed bug?
It is hard to tell if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug unless you find bed bugs or signs of infestation. When bed bugs bite, they inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant that prevents a person from realizing they are being bitten. Most people do not realize they have been bitten until bite marks appear anywhere from one to several days after the initial bite. The bite marks are similar to that of a mosquito or a flea -- a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. The bite marks may be random or appear in a straight line. Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems that arise from profuse scratching of the bites.
Because bed bug bites affect everyone differently, some people may have no reaction and will not develop bite marks or any other visible signs of being bitten. Other people may be allergic to the bed bugs and can react adversely to the bites. These allergic symptoms can include enlarged bite marks, painful swellings at the bite site, and, on rare occasions, anaphylaxis.

How did I get bed bugs?
Bed bugs are experts at hiding. Their slim flat bodies allow them to fit into the smallest of spaces and stay there for long periods of time, even without a blood meal. Bed bugs are usually transported from place to place as people travel. The bed bugs travel in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, bedding, furniture, and anywhere else where they can hide. Most people do not realize they are transporting stow-away bed bugs as they travel from location to location, infecting areas as they travel.

How are bed bugs treated and prevented?

Bed bug bites usually do not pose a serious medical threat. The best way to treat a bite is to avoid scratching the area and apply antiseptic creams or lotions and take an antihistamine. Bed bug infestations are commonly treated by insecticide spraying.

Tenant and Homeowner
Bed Bugs Baltimore Resources
Bed bug control problems that have been spreading through Baltimore and other major cities. In Baltimore, the number of bed bug related 311 calls grew from an average of 0.16 per month in 2004 to 8.5 per month in 2008. The increase in calls has precipitated the government response indicated below.

Government Resources
If you have a Bed Bugs Baltimore problem, and live in the City of Baltimore, dial the free 311 service. The Baltimore City Health Department will send an inspector as part of their "Healthy Homes" initiative. This service is FREE and will confirm that you in fact have a bed bug problem. They will also provide advice on how to get rid of bed bugs in your home. Renters of single family homes are responsible for the bed bugs and should call 311 for help.
If you live in an apartment, contact the building's landlord in writing. They have an obligation to treat for bedbugs.

Often bed bugs are brought into an apartment building by visitors or when a used mattress or furniture is picked up from the street. Even rented furniture has been known to carry some risk or a new mattress that arrived on a truck that is also transporting older mattresses. Bed bugs do not appear because a person has clutter or isn't clean. They either travel from an adjoining apartment, or are carried into a household.
The Maryland Attorney Generals office has a hot line for Landlord and Tenant rights issues. The hot line number is toll-free (800) 487-6007.
You can also review the Baltimore City Health Department Bed bugs Baltimore information website (http://health.baltimorecity.gov/node/2026).
Bed Bug Advice for Baltimore Tenants - What to do
If you cannot afford Bed Bugs Baltimore treatment, and if you are a tenant that has requested bed bug treatment in writing (must be in a dated later sent registered mail), and have not gotten a bed bug inspection or treatment, we suggest:
1.     Calling the above Attorney General’s office number for help and advice. If you are still not satisfied then...
2.     Contact the firm described below (Whitney & Boris) to see if they will handle your case on contingency, which means that they will get a percentage of the settlement.
3.     As an alternative, if you are a low income resident. You can contact Maryland Legal aid for assistance at (410) 951-7777.

Do not navigate the law without the help of an attorney.

Bed Bug Advice for Baltimore Home Owners
The best approach is to call in an experienced bed bugs Baltimore based exterminator. Bed bug populations grow rapidly, and as they spread they could become more expensive to treat. We suggest starting by calling a national network such as Service Magic (1.877.233.1145). Members of the network are per-screened, licensed and insured.
So don't wait. We also have a list of pest control companies that are specifically qualified to treat bed bugs.
Go to http://www.bed-bugs-handbook.com/bed-bug-exterminator.html to find a qualified local bedbug exterminator near you. Please keep in mind that if the bed bugs are not treated correctly, insects missed will begin to multiply and the problem will return. Don't use a pest control company unless they have extensive experience treating bed bugs.

Tip: Be sure to ask about any costs, and ask if they provide a written guarantee as multiple treatments (2 to 3) are often needed.

Do It Yourself Treatment Advice

Some home owners prefer a do it yourself approach to bed bug treatment. This will work, although be prepared for some hard work.
Do it yourself kits are available that contain organic products (Bed Bug Patrol) or you can buy an insecticide based bed bug kit. The choice is a matter of preference. A kit is the best way to go as they provide the combination of products required to effectively end the infestation. No single spray alone will do the job. At minimum, be sure to purchase a knock down or contact spray which kills bed bugs on contact, and a residual spray that provides lasting protection. Kits also contain bed bug dust (also called diatomaceous earth or fossil dust) which is applied after spray treatment to provide another layer of protection.
It can take an entire day to do the job right. If bed bugs reappear after 2 to 3 treatments, consider hiring a professional. See the rest of this site for step by step directions on how to kill bedbugs.
Do not use foggers or bug bombs as these are not effective against bed bugs Baltimore problems. They just drive the bed bugs into the walls, only to have them return in 1 to 2 weeks.

1 comment:

  1. Quite informative post on bed bugs. Couple of months ago, I took help of reputed pest management services that are claiming to provide guaranteed treatment for bed bug symptoms and helped to get rid of this persisting problem of bed bugs.

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