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).