Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Bed bugs
Question:	My boyfriend has a severe infestation of bed bugs. He does not seem to be bothered much by them ( he has a severe case of psorisis) but I am covered in bites. I have vacuumed, sprayed with "bed bug spray", let off bug bombs, and put on zippered covers on the mattress and pillows. I have also washed all bedding in hot water or sent it out to the dry cleaner. I am still being bitten. Please help!
Answer:	The bed bug is rapidly becoming one of the most complained about insects. Most experts agree that the increase in world wide travel has really contributed to the increased number of calls. Bites alone are not evidence of bed bugs. One key characteristic is the location of the bites and when the bites occur. Unlike flea bites that occur mainly around the ankles, bed bugs feed on any bare skin exposed while sleeping (face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, etc.). Bed bugs are active mainly at night. Other things can cause irritations and itching and allergic reactions can cause swellings. Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. The immatures (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color. Bed bugs do not fly, but can move quickly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices - especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, molted skins of maturing nymphs, and the bugs themselves. Another likely sign of bed bugs is rusty or reddish spots of blood on bed sheets or mattresses. Bed bugs can live in almost any crevice or protected location. The most common place to find them is the bed. Bed bugs often hide within seams, tufts, and crevices of the mattress, box spring, bed frame and headboard. Since you have covered the mattress, I think the main source of the infestation is the bed. A thorough inspection requires dismantling the bed and standing the components on edge. Things to look for are the bugs themselves, and the light-brown, molted skins of the nymphs. Dark spots of dried bed bug excrement are often present along mattress seams or wherever the bugs have resided. One place often overlooked is the area under the bed that is covered by gauze. Oftentimes the gauze fabric underlying the box spring must be removed to gain access for inspection and possible treatment. Successful treatment of mattresses and box springs is difficult, however, and infested components may need to be discarded. Cracks and crevices of bed frames should be examined, especially if the frame is wood. (Bed bugs have an affinity for wood and fabric more so than metal or plastic). Headboards secured to walls should also be removed and inspected. In hotels and motels, the area behind the headboard is often the first place that the bugs become established. Bed bugs also hide among items stored under beds. Many areas besides beds, however, can harbor bed bugs. Bed bugs can be hidden beside a recessed screw under a nightstand. Nightstands and dressers should be emptied and examined inside and out, then tipped over to inspect the woodwork underneath. Oftentimes the bugs will be hiding in cracks, corners, and recesses. Upholstered chairs and sofas should be checked, especially seams, tufts, skirts, and crevices beneath cushions. Sofas can be major bed bug hotspots when used for sleeping. Other common places to find bed bugs include: along and under the edge of wall-to-wall carpeting (especially behind beds and furniture); cracks in wood molding; ceiling-wall junctures; behind wall-mounts, picture frames, switch plates and outlets; under loose wallpaper; amongst clothing stored in closets; and inside clocks, phones, televisions and smoke detectors. The challenge is to find and treat all places where bugs and eggs may be present. Bed bugs tend to congregate in certain areas, but it is common to find an individual or some eggs scattered here and there. Persistence and a bright flashlight are requisites for success. Inspectors sometimes also inject a pyrethrum-based, "flushing agent" into crevices to help reveal where bugs may be hiding. A thorough treatment of a home, hotel, or apartment may take up to several hours. Infested bedding and garments will need to be bagged and laundered (120°F minimum), or discarded since these items cannot be treated with insecticides. Smaller items that cannot be laundered can sometimes be de-infested by heating. Individual items, for example, can be wrapped in plastic and placed in a hot, sunny location for at least a few days (the 120°F minimum target temperature should be monitored in the centermost location with a thermometer). Bedbugs also succumb to cold temperatures below 32° F, but the chilling period must be maintained for at least two weeks. Attempts to rid an entire home or apartment of bed bugs by raising or lowering the thermostat will be entirely unsuccessful. Vacuuming can be very useful for removing bugs and eggs from mattresses, carpet, walls, and other surfaces. Pay particular attention to seams, tufts and edges of mattresses and box springs, and the perimeter edge of wall-to-wall carpets. Afterward, dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed trash bag. Steam cleaning of carpets is also helpful for killing bugs and eggs that vacuuming may have missed. Forget about using the bug bombs. Insecticides must be targeted and sprayed in areas where the bugs reside. Many home products containing pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin) can be used inside the home. Neither of these products can be sprayed on mattresses but can be used on the bed frame. I strongly encourage you to disassemble the bed frame. This is where most of the bugs will be hiding. The headboard and bedsprings will also be critical to treat. After taking care of the bed area move out to the furniture around the bed. If you store items under the bed, remove them and check them closely for infestations. Check the nightstands, telephones and alarm clocks. While plastic may not be preferred, bed bugs could still be hiding. After checking around the bed, move your inspection out further. Check behind pictures since bed bugs will hide along the frame. Check the edges where wallpaper comes together, especially if the paper has peeled away slightly. Check the baseboards thoroughly and spray in all cracks and crevices. The major challenge is taking the time and effort to check everywhere and target the insecticides where the bugs are hiding. Vacuuming will help but make sure you throw the bags away.
Related Link:	http://tcebookstore.org/pubinfo.cfm?pubid=1512
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/l-1742.html
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Response by:	Chris Sansone
Title:	Extension Entomologist
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