Frequently Asked Questions ...........................

• Why is there such a recent resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S?
• How are bed bugs spread?
• What do bed bugs eat?
• Tell me something about the “bed bug” lifecycle?
• What do bed bugs look like?
• What are the signs of a bed bug bite?
• How do I treat bed bug bites?
• Do bed bugs carry disease?
• Where would I most likely find bed bugs?
• What types of treatment options are available?
• What should I do if I suspect I have bed bugs?
• Why is early bed bug detection important?
• Why should I hire a Bed Bug detecting canine team?
• Are canine scent detection teams required to be licensed?
• Where will the CDIS canine team look for bed bug activity?
• How does the dog “alert” for the presence of Bed Bugs?
• What happens if the canine “alerts” to bed bug activity?
• What type of documentation do you provide to your clients?
• Are canine scent detection teams required to be licensed?

Why is there such a recent resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S?

In the United States, bed bugs were common place through the late 1940’s. The widespread use of pesticides (organophosphates such as DDT and Malathion) at that time practically eradicated bed bugs from the US. However, in the late 1990's increased international travel became more commonplace and bed bugs began to re-emerge as a pest in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Because this insect’s nature is very guarded, they have the ability to move very efficiently from one establishment to another. The public's lack of awareness about them contributes to their swift spread. During the mid 1990's, pest management began to change and "go green". There was a dramatic shift in pest management practices from “general” applications of the “spray and pray” approach, (which was to spray every week on about the same day) to using “very specific and targeted applications” like cockroach and ant baits. This resulted in many of the non-targeted more difficult pests, like the bed bugs, to be missed. A certain number of pests also become resistant to pesticides enabling them to become established and survive where they were not able to previously.

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How do bed bugs spread?

The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) climbs easily up any fabric, wood, or paper surface. Bed bugs are excellent “hitch hikers” and once they are introduced into an environment they are able to gamely spread from infested locations to new locations that were previously un-infested. All you need to do is to spend a night in a bed bug infested environment and there is chance that you will take at least one bug with you to your next destination in your luggage, clothing, back pack, purse, bedding, furniture, picture frames, electronic devices, etc. The most significant factor that has enabled bed bugs to spread throughout the U.S. at an exponential rate is the lack of public awareness. Many people simply don't believe or realize that bed bugs truly exist. As a result people do not think twice before picking up discarded furniture that is infested with bed bugs and bringing them into their homes. Once the bugs are introduced into the new structure, their secretive and hidden lifestyle renders them undetected for several months or more in many cases.

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What do bed bugs eat?

Bed bugs belong to the family of insects known as Cimicidae. All members of this family of insects feed exclusively on blood which they require in order to develop and reproduce. There are a number of closely related species in this family that feed on birds, bats and other animals. However, the species most adapted to living with humans is the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, which is found worldwide and feeds on “human blood”. Bed bugs differ from many other blood feeding pests such as mosquitoes, fleas, etc. because both males and females, in all stages of development, feed on blood. Once they have fed, they return to their hidden resting places. In the absence of a host or one to feed on, bed bugs can survive for many months without a "blood meal". Some cases report bed bugs surviving for a year or more without feeding.

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Tell me about the “bed bug” lifecycle?

Immature bugs go through five developmental stages before reaching maturity. A blood meal is required between each stage. As the immature bed bugs develop they continue to become larger and darker until reaching adulthood. Under favorable conditions (70-90°F), bed bugs can complete development (from egg to adult) in 1 – 2 months. Cool temperatures or limited access to a blood meal may lengthen the development time. Adults will usually live for just under a year. The adult female typically deposits up to 5 eggs per day in a wide variety of locations, both on and away from the bed. Eggs hatch approximately 7-10 days after being deposited by the female. An adult female may lay up to 500 eggs during her lifetime.

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What do bed bugs look like?

- Adults are small, brownish insects, just under a 1/4” long and are relatively flat and oval shaped…almost the size of an apple seed. They are often mistaken for a cockroach or tick in the adult stage.

- Nymphs- Immature bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are much smaller and lighter in color. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent and no bigger than a pinhead (1 mm).  They are often mistaken for book lice since both can share the same habitat. After feeding on a blood meal the immature bed bugs may appear bright red in color. Bed bugs lack wings and do not fly, but they are capable of moving swiftly on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

- Eggs- The eggs are very small (approximately 1mm), whitish, and very difficult to see on most surfaces without magnification (individual eggs are about the size of a dust speck).

What are the signs of a bed bug bite?

Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites in the same way because we all have different histamine responses. Some people have allergic reactions and others, even sharing the same bed and being bitten, do not react. A bed bug bite is generally a raised, red, welt-like bite that itches and usually appears in lines or clusters and most likely will be found on an exposed area of the body such as arms, neck, face, shoulders or back. Bites generally appear in 1 to 24 hours after the bite, symptoms can last 1-2 days. It is important to keep in mind that other insects, arthropods or medical conditions can produce similar bite reactions. Medical professionals cannot give a positive diagnosis simply by examining bite symptoms; they can only suggest some possible explanations for what may have caused the bites or symptoms to occur. In many cases, bed bug bites are mistaken for scabies, chicken pox, dermatological reactions, etc. Therefore, it is important to make a confirmation by producing a physical sample of an actual live bed bug or egg, molted skin or evidence of fecal spotting. If you think you have bed bug bites, it would be wise to have a trained pest control professional conduct an inspection to determine whether or not you have bed bugs.

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How do I treat bed bug bites?

It is best to seek professional medical advice. There are anti-itching medications as well as antibiotic salves which may be prescribed.

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Do bed bugs carry disease?

Over 28 disease pathogens have been found in bed bugs, although transmission of these pathogens to humans has never been documented and is considered highly unlikely. For this reason, they are not considered a serious disease threat. Their medical significance is mainly limited to the itching and inflammation associated with their bite.

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Where would I most likely find bed bugs?

Bed bugs are found anywhere that is frequented by people. They are nocturnal insects and lead a very secretive lifestyle. They can hide in any crack or crevice as small as the width of a credit card. Bed bugs are more likely found in locations with a high rate of occupant turnover such as hotels, dormitories, multi-family housing, nursing homes, movie theaters, cruise ships, etc. Occasionally you may see evidence of a bed bug infestation without actually seeing any bed bugs. Bed bugs leave fecal stains in the areas they inhabit. As the blood is digested it turns black, bed bug droppings usually consist of several black spots in one area. The fecal spots will not flake off if rubbed and will smear if wiped with a wet rag. The idea that bed bugs are the result of poor sanitation and/or poverty is a misconception. Bed bugs do not discriminate based on one’s social status or the cleanliness of your home. The fact is that cleanliness has nothing to do with getting bed bugs. Bed bug infestations can affect anyone, anywhere, and are occurring in hotels, apartments, single family homes, upscale commercial office buildings, school classrooms, laundromats, public transportation, etc.

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What types of treatment options are available?

The complete eradication of bed bugs requires highly trained licensed individuals knowledgeable in bed bug biology, behavior, and the proper use of pesticides and alternative treatments (heat). It can be very difficult to rid large multi-unit buildings of bed bugs. Once bed bugs become established, any control effort that does not include concurrent inspection of all units combined with a coordinated program of treatment and occupant education is usually doomed to fail. This is because the bugs will frequently move from any partially treated, potentially repellent active site to adjacent rooms or floors. They readily move through wall voids, along utility lines, heating ducts, elevator shafts, and laundry or mail chutes.

Chemical treatments: EPA registered chemicals that are labeled for bed bugs should be effective. The disadvantage is that may take several treatments, there is human exposure and it is extremely difficult in targeting bed bug eggs and overuse of chemicals may spread or “repel” bed bugs to remote areas.

Non- Chemical treatments:
- Physical removal - Vacuuming bed bugs from exposed harborages such as box spring edges or mattress seams will immediately remove a significant portion of the pest population and will usually kill some of the bugs. Using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum with a disposable bag removes >99% of all particles and ensures that many allergens associated with bed bugs and their debris are also removed. However, it is important to note that bed bugs can readily infest vacuums. Also, avoid using vacuum attachments that have brushes or bristles. Instead use the open end of the hose. Vacuuming up a little bit of talcum/baby powder before you start vacuuming and just after you finish may also help reduce the survival rate of some of the bugs that are vacuumed up. As soon as you are done vacuuming, the vacuum bag should be tied shut in a trash bag and discarded outside of the home. You should also inspect the housing of the vacuum where the bag attaches to the hose where some bugs may escape the vacuum bag.

- Exclusion - Bed bugs have weak, flexible, piercing-sucking mouthparts, and weak, simple feet (tarsi) and claws. They are incapable clawing through even a very thin coating of sealant or an unbroken layer of paper or cloth. Sealing with a layer of silicone and covering harborage openings will at least restrict the bugs’ movements and help temporarily reduce the intensity of their feeding.

- Mattress covers - Commercially available bed and box spring covers, at least 0.08 mm thick, with a zippered edge, can completely enclose a mattress or box spring and prevent any bed bugs harboring in them from accessing hosts. Originally developed to reduce human exposure to allergens in mattresses infested with house dust mites, such covers both seal in and exclude bed bugs. Once sealed inside a void or harborage, living bugs are effectively removed from the pest population and will die in place.

- Reduce clutter - Clutter is a bed bug's best friend and a pest management professional's worst enemy. Clutter provides an infinite number of areas for bed bugs to hide and creates areas that cannot be effectively treated by the pest management professional. If cluttered conditions persist, your pest management professional may only be able to reduce the number of bed bugs and never completely eliminate the problem. Storing clothes and other items in plastic bags or tightly sealed containers can greatly reduce potential harborage sites and aides in streamlining treatments.

Launder items regularly - Heat is deadly to bed bugs. Hot laundering can be a highly effective method for dealing with any item that can be safely placed in a clothes dryer on high heat. Linens should be laundered regularly (preferably weekly) in hot water and dried in the hot cycle of your dryer to kill any bed bugs or eggs on the items. Even of you do not see any bed bugs on the items, female bed bugs drop eggs randomly as they roam.

Heat - All living organisms have a “thermal death point” and for bed bugs it is 130° F. So by incorporating a prescribed treatment program such as Therma-Pure®, Thermal Remediation®, etc. and heating infested rooms/areas for a period of several hours you will kill all life stages of bed bugs. However, heat treatments do not provide any residual effect, and bed bugs can re-occupy after treatment. Potential physical distortion of structures or their contents, as well as flammability risks associated with some kinds of heat sources, maybe a concern in particular situations (Usinger 1966) and it is recommended you use a company licensed and experienced in these types of treatments.

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What should I do if I suspect I have bed bugs?

FIRST- DO NOT throw items away - the immediate reaction for most people to a bed bug infestation is to throw the infested items away. This is unnecessary and could possibly make the problem worse. As items are carried through the home to be discarded, bed bugs can fall off of the item and be spread throughout the home to un-infested areas. Also, you are eliminating the harborages for these bed bugs and disturbing them. This may cause the bed bugs to move to find other places to live and spread the problem. Your discarded items are often picked up by other people (maybe even your neighbor), spreading the problem to new areas. In some circumstances when the item is in poor condition or is highly infested, discarding the item is the best option. It is imperative for you to contain the item(s) and dispose of it properly preventing further spread /infestation to other areas. SECOND - Contact a licensed professional pest control operator that specializes in bed bugs to clearly identify the pest and prescribe the appropriate treatment program for your situation.

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Why is early bed bug detection important?

Bed bugs are very difficult to detect at low infestation levels. Because of their small size, ability to harbor in inconspicuous areas or because so few are present, visual inspections alone can often fail to detect the presence bed bugs. Even after the most experienced inspector has spent extensive time and has thoroughly scanned/inspected a room and personal belongings, bed bugs can be missed causing the problem to go undetected and worsen over time.

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Why should I hire a Bed Bug detecting canine team?

A properly trained, scent detection canine team is extremely cost effective. A human inspector can take up to one hour per room. Trained scent detection dogs are known to be over 90% accurate compared to visual inspections by humans, who at best, are 30-40% accurate with light bed bug infestations. Canine inspections are discrete and unobtrusive. If our trained canine “alerts” to the canine handler that there is the presence of bed bugs, our licensed Pest Control Operator (PCO) will confirm the “alert” with a visual confirmation. At the time of inspection if there are no “alerts” from the dog then the inspection will be recorded as “alert free”.

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Are canine scent detection teams required to be licensed?

YES! In the state of Illinois, the company providing a bed bug inspection must be a licensed pest control operator with the Illinois Department of Public Health. The following link provides more details to the structural code: www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/.../07700830sections.html

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Where will the CDIS canine team look for bed bug activity?

The handler and canine will inspect the entire area that is contracted. Areas of particular concern include behind bed headboards, mattresses, box springs, bed frames and night stands. This includes lamps, telephones and other potential places bed bugs might reside. Carpet edges and baseboards are considered “hot spots” for bed bug activity. Ninety percent of bed bug activity is found around where the host sleeps or sits. We have identified activity in lamps and electrical outlets…so, it is essential to be thorough!

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How does the dog “alert” for the presence of Bed Bugs?

Our canines, Cooper, Molly, Shadow, Skye, Nitro, Luke and Gunner are trained to be discreet, quiet and non-invasive. Depending on the type of “alert” our canines will sit and then on a different command will point with their nose. They are trained not to scratch, bark or engage in any invasive behavior.

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What happens if the canine “alerts” to bed bug activity?

Our licensed PCO will perform a visual inspection to identify the type of infestation that may be present. If your property is multi-unit, we suggest you take the room out of service immediately. Rooms above, below and diagonal to this room should be made available for inspection. The inspection will be documented and we can work in tandem with your pest management firm to develop and/or recommend treatments, if requested.

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What type of documentation do you provide to your clients?

Our clients receive an inspection report identifying the level of bed bug activity and harboring areas with each assessment. This report is also kept on file at our office as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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Are canine scent detection teams required to be licensed?

In the state of Illinois, the company providing a bed bug inspection does not have to be a licensed pest control operator with the Illinois Department of Public Health. However, having a canine handler with those credentials ensures a more accurate inspection. The trained teams can often identify alternate pests that may be the concern. (i.e. fleas, mites, etc.)

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