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 BED BUGS
Common
Name:Bed bug
Scientific Name:Cimex
lectularius
Introduction. This insect probably
received its common
name of bed bug from
its close association
with human sleeping
beds where it often
seeks refuge during
daylight, only to come
out to feed on the bed’s
occupant(s) at night.
The bed bug is an ectoparasite
of primarily humans
but will also attack
poultry, caged and invasive
birds and various mammals,
including rodents. It
was introduced into
the United States with
the early colonists.
It is found throughout
the United States and
the world.
 Recognition. Adults measure 3/16
inch long; and are broadly
oval and flat. Bed bugs
are amber to reddish
brown in color, depending
on how recently they
fed. When present in
sufficient numbers,
it is possible to detect
an obnoxiously sweet
or foul “locker room”
odor, which is emitted
from their glands.
Similar
Insects. Bat
bugs (Cimex adjunctus)
have the upper surface
of body covered with
longer hairs (setae)
and have less-indented
“shoulders” at the front
edge of the thorax.
[See photo comparison
on page 3.]
Biology.
Female bed bugs lay
1 to 5 eggs per day
with the 1/32 inch long,
white eggs being deposited
individually in cracks
or on rough surfaces
and secured with a transparent
cement for an average
total of 200 eggs; maximum
eggs per day is 12,
with 541 for a lifetime.
There are 5 nymphal
instars with a blood
meal required for each
molt. About 3 to 10
minutes are required
for each blood meal,
during which saliva
containing an anticoagulant
is injected. Developmental
time (egg to adult)
takes 21 days at 86?F
to 120 days at 65?F.
The threshold for egg
hatching, nymphal development,
and adult activity is
55 to 59?F. Below 61?F
adults enter semi-hibernation
and the heat stress
death point is 111 to
113?F.
Without a blood meal,
once-fed nymphs can
survive an average of
51 days (range 28 to
73) at 81?F and 70 to
75% RH. Being poorly
fed can greatly prolong
the life cycle (up to
several years in some
studies). With normal
feeding and reproductive
cycles, individuals
can live up to 316 days.
Not all bed bugs in
a residence will feed
concurrently. They remain
concealed until hungry.
Humans are the preferred
host of these insects
but in their absence
bed bugs will feed on
poultry, canaries, English
sparrows, mice, rats,
rabbits, guinea pigs,
and bats.
Although the bite of
bed bugs is painless,
most people (80%) develop
an allergic reaction
to the saliva injected
by the bug as it feeds.
A swelling usually results
from feeding but there
is no red spot such
as is characteristic
with flea bites. Swelling
may be severe and extend
beyond the immediate
bite area in highly
sensitive individuals.
Although bed bugs have
been suspect in the
transmission of many
diseases or disease
organisms in humans,
in most cases conclusive
evidence is lacking.
Habits.
Bed bugs harbor in cracks
and crevices during
the day and come out
to feed at night. Typically
they can be found around
mattress buttons and
beading, in box springs
or their coverings,
and in any crevice of
a wooden bed frame,
such as where members
join. Other places to
check are wall hangings
such as picture frames,
night stands, stuffed
furniture, baseboards,
floorboard cracks, behind
loose wallpaper, light
switches, door and window
frames, conduits, etc.
In heavy infestations,
bed bugs may be found
in wall voids, attics,
and other enclosed places.
They will crawl considerable
distances to obtain
a blood meal.
They can be introduced
into a structure via
used furniture or in
the belongings of someone
who has been living
in a bed bug infested
situation. Adults can
survive for up to 6-7
months if they are well
fed and they can feed
on other animals if
humans are not present.
When the temperature
falls below 61?F adults
enter semi hibernation
and can survive for
months.
Bed bug infestations
have been found in transportation
vehicles such as boats
(including cruise ships),
trains, airplanes, and
buses as well as in
movie theaters where
they typically harborage
in seats and associated
frames.
Besides the characteristic
obnoxiously sweet odor,
the other primary clues
to an infestation will
be the presence of bed
bugs and/or small red
to reddish brown fecal
spots here and there
on surfaces.
 Cultural
Control & Preparatory
Measures. Affected
persons subject to severe
infestations should
be provided with alternate
lodging or sleeping
accommodations until
the problem is resolved.
If pesticide exposure
becomes a health concern,
an infested bed frame,
box spring and mattress
and upholstered furniture
can be discarded (after
being marked or defaced
to prevent “adoption”
by others) and replaced
with new. Professionally-treated
or replacement mattresses
and box springs should
be fitted with special
zippered encasements
to prevent re-infestation
by bed bugs. A standard
vacuum cleaner fitted
with hose attachment
and crevice tool is
useful to remove bed
bugs when found. Microfiltration
vacuum bags should be
used to prevent insect
allergens from being
blown into the air.
Filter bags should be
discarded after vacuuming
to prevent escape and
re-infestation by surviving
bed bugs. Bed coverings,
clothing and comfort
toys suspected of being infested with bed bugs
should be dry cleaned
or washed in hot soapy
water and run through
the medium to high heat
cycle in a dryer.
Professional
Control. A
thorough inspection
is indispensable. Rottler
will treat any bed bugs
found with a crack &
crevice application
of appropriately labeled
insecticides, including
an insect growth regulator
(IGR). Great care will
be taken when treating
in order to minimize
human exposure to pesticides.
In homes, most bed bug
infestations can be
controlled with insecticide
applications to infested
upholstered furniture
seams, mattress seams,
box spring cavities,
bed frame crevices,
lower wall penetrations,
behind baseboards, and
into the carpet tack
strip zone. In apartment
buildings, adjoining
condominiums and hotels,
it’s advisable to also
inspect and treat the
units to either side
and above and below
the infested unit, since
bed bugs move readily
through structural voids.
Additional treatments
of infested dwellings
may be necessary.
Locations
Serving the St. Louis Metropolitan area since 1956, including
Arnold, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Des Peres,
Fenton, Florissant, Kirkwood, Maryland Heights, Overland, St.
Charles, Webster Groves, Wentzville and surrounding areas.
In Illinois: Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Columbia,
Madison, Waterloo, O’Fallon, Granite City, Alton, St. Clair, Monroe
and surrounding areas.
Columbia & Jefferson City, MO and surrounding areas. |
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