Inspecting and monitoring for Bed Bugs.

David WestAlameda County Vector Control Services District

10/20/2015

What's it worth to you?

Why is my client so stressed?

Violated most personal space the bedroom.

Lack of ZZzzzz.

Laundering clothes and living out of a bag.

Failed costly treatment attempts.

Uncooperative landlord.

Moved from the bedroom to another room to avoid getting bites.

Personal items, clothing, furniture thrown away.

Lifestyle completely disrupted.

Relatives no longer visit.

Purpose of an inspection.

o Identify the pest.o Verify the complaint. ( Is it valid ?)o Determine the extent of the infestation.o Talk with the responsible party about findings

and give recommendations. o Goal: Professional treatments.

Inspections can be

• Uncooperative tenants/ Landlord• Personal Lifestyle

Difficult sometimes.

What will your inspection challenge be

Useful Inspection Equipment

o Disposable Gloveso Flashlighto Tweezerso Magnifying glasso Duct tapeo Vialso Alcoholo Tyvek suit

Personal Protection when doing a bed bug inspection.

1. Tyvek suit2. Protective booties3. Disposable gloves

Visual Inspections(Most common form of Detection)

Advantages• Visual confirmation

is proof of infestation.

• Humans can integrate facts and outline a course of action.

Disadvantages

Labor intensive

Low level infestations are hard to detect

Often involves moving furniture and possessions

Inspections using Man’s best friend.

Jack Russell Terriers

Beagles

Advantages:o Effective at large multi unit buildings.o Effective when visual inspections failed.o Effective when there is a low level

infestation.o Can be 90% or more accuracy.o Disadvantages:o Expensive/ 2 dogs or more.o Short attention span.o Bad day.

Primary Bed Bug

Harborage

~70% 5 feet

Secondary Bed Bug Harborages

~23%

“Other” Bed Bug Harborages

~7%

What should I be looking for?

• Signs of bed bugs– Dark staining from

excrement (sheets & hiding places)

– Shed skins– Reddish blood spots on

mattress– Sweetish odor

Bed Bugs & Rusty Spots on Sheet.

Be thorough and detail oriented.

Another heavily infested area

Possible Secondary Harborages.DressersNight stands

Chairs

Tables

Carpet and baseboards

Smoke detectors Picture Frames Any

Where! Ceilings

Wall outlets

After

A LOW INFESTATION INSPECTION

Before

Monitoring Devices

Pros• Can be used to monitor

when visual inspections are inconclusive

• Pre-complaint detection• Used in cluttered rooms• Track progress after

treatment

Cons

The most effective bait is a human host

Detect bed bugs over days or weeks

Low level infestations can be missed

Cost can be a factor

Passive and Active Monitors.

Climb-Up Interceptor (Passive)

• Effective on the legs of furniture where a person is sleeping.

• Head board should not touch wall.• Bedding should not touch floor.• Slippery talc inner coating traps bugs.• Non poisonous.• Should not be use around wet areas.• Must be emptied weekly.• Cost determined by the size. ($10 up

to ($40)

Pack Tite Passive Station• Design provides a ideal

hiding place.• Effective when bed is

regularly slept in. • Check 1x week in high

risk situations. 1x month in general situations.

• Early detection• Chemical & maintenance

free.• Cost ($19)

Bed Bug Alert (Active) Monitor• Effective in vacant

room.• Simulates a host.• Can be inspected in

24 hours.• Recommended

checking in 4-5 days.• Cost ($24.95)

Night watch CO2 (Active Monitor)Effective in vacant rooms where bites were reported.

Useful in cluttered rooms.

Useful in cluttered rooms.

Useful in treated rooms.

Gives off heat and CO2.

Cost (399.95)

Conclusion

• Early detection is always best.• Professional inspections are always advised.• Inspections sometimes can be challenging and

time consuming.• Two people are recommended for an

inspection.• Monitors may detect the presence of bed bugs

before a complaint.